Chapter 18 #2
I pick my way through the aisles and choose a large chair situated by the wall and plop down, letting out a contented sigh to be off of my feet for a short while.
Curling my legs under me, I settle in and flip open the book, the crisp pages greeting me with their new book smell.
Inhaling deeply, I think about how I could bottle up that homey scent and wear it like perfume.
The next thirty minutes trickle by as I get swept away in the story, lost among the pages yet again.
“Mel.” Ronin greets me warmly from where he leans against the bar as I swing up onto a stool. His signature dimples wink at me as a small smile breaks across his face. “Wasn’t expecting you tonight. What can I get you?”
“Hey, Ro. Just a coffee for now, please.”
“Coming right up.” He pushes off the counter, flipping a rag over his shoulder as he stands at his full height. I try not to stare at his ass as he walks away to fill my drink order.
I fail.
With a quick glance around, I find a few tables occupied by diners having a late supper, and there’s only one other person sitting at the bar besides me.
“What brings you by? Long day with Grandma?” Ronin hands me my latte and then leans down, his elbows anchored to the counter.
“Supposed to be meeting Bree, actually. She’s running a little late, I guess.
” The smooth, chocolatey drink meets my lips, the sweet flavor exploding across my tastebuds as I take a sip, and I hum appreciatively before setting the mug down.
I glance up to catch Ronin’s gaze on my mouth and my lips quirk.
He clears his throat before speaking. “So, everything’s going good at the bookstore, though?”
I nod. “Yep, everything’s great.”
Ronin studies me from across the bar. I squirm under his scrutiny. “What?”
He nods toward me. “What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that I can tell something’s on your mind. You get this look—” Ronin pauses, scrunching his face in mock seriousness. “That hasn’t changed, I can see.”
I giggle. “As always, you’re right.” I reach for my bag and pull out the flyer from earlier, spinning it on the counter so it faces Ronin. “Sydney showed this to me today.”
His face reveals nothing as he reads. When he’s done, he pushes it back. “So, you’re gonna win this contest.”
My heart lurches at his complete and easy faith in me.
“That’s the plan…maybe? I don’t know.” I pull the flyer back and stuff it into my bag.
My hands wrap back around my warm mug and I lift it to my lips.
“I’ve never written anything like that before.
Not with the intention of anyone’s eyes on it but mine, at least.”
“Yeah, but since when has that stopped you from trying?”
I blow a loose strand of hair off of my face. “I don’t know. It’s just an idea… We’ll see.” I take another sip of my drink. “Anyway, enough about me. How’s your night been?”
“Well, as you can see, I’m quite busy. So I may not be able to hang out with you for long.” Ronin casts an obvious look around the near-empty bar and shoots me a tiny smirk, his blue gaze dancing.
“Oh yeah, I can see you’re slacking off on the job.
Maybe I should give William a heads up that his right-hand man is nothing but—” I pause for dramatic effect and finish in a stage whisper, “Lazy.” I take another sip, watching him over the rim of my mug.
“Or, I suppose I could be persuaded to keep your little secret, at a cost.”
Ronin’s eyebrow quirks and my belly goes bottom up.
He can quirk that eyebrow at me all day long—damn that was hot.
I gently clear my throat as he pretends to ponder my offer, angling in closer to me across the bar.
His head comes to a pause next to mine and I find myself leaning into his space. Ronin’s breath tickles my ear as he replies, his voice suddenly an octave deeper than it usually is.
“Tell me, Mel,” he murmurs. “What can I offer you in exchange for your silence?” He cocks his head to the side, his heated gaze meeting mine. “I’m desperate, after all. My job’s on the line here.”
“I’m desperate” will live in my mind rent-free now, thank you very much, my imagination running rampant with images of just how desperate I could make him.
Whoa there. Easy, girl.
“Desperate, you say?”
I pull back to set down my mug and lean one arm on the counter, the other coming up to tap my chin thoughtfully. Ronin’s gaze tracks the movement, following my fingers before rising to my lips.
“I think,” I begin, my heart pounding away furiously in my chest. “That—”
“Well, what do we have here?”
Ronin and I jerk apart, and I turn to meet Bree’s shit-eating grin directly next to me. I didn’t even notice her come in, and apparently neither did Ronin, judging by the deep blush creeping up his neck.
“Bree!” I proclaim much too loudly. “When did you get here?”
“About one desperate comment ago, I think?” Bree positively beams at us, her brown eyes flashing with mirth.
“Excuse me, I think I hear someone calling for me.” Ronin backs away from the pair of us, awkwardly spinning on his heel as he hurries down the bar. “Yep, definitely heard my name from just down here—”
He disappears into the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind him with a soft click.
I fan myself with one hand, grabbing for my drink with the other. “Is it hot in here?” I ask, glancing at Bree.
“Nah, that was just the sizzling crackle of chemistry from whatever the fuck just went down between you two.” Bree settles onto her stool and then places both hands under her chin, elbows on the counter, her face shining with glee. “Please, enlighten me on what I just walked into?”
“What? Nothing. Don’t be ridiculous. We were just…talking.” I aim for casual and nonchalant, but even I can hear the lie in my statement.
“Suuure.” Bree drags out the word, imploring me with one last look before shaking her head, a muttered “in denial, I swear” under her breath. She spins on her stool to face the door in which Ronin disappeared behind. “Ay, Ro! Get back out here and make me a drink!”
A moment later, the wooden door swings open as Ronin steps back behind the bar with an air of indifference that I immediately see right through.
“Get you something, Bree?” Ronin asks, shaking away the last of the awkwardness and settling back into his usual easy demeanor. He shoots me a wink before giving Bree his full attention.
My cheeks flush and I’m sure I’m as pink as a flamingo. My pale skin hides nothing. That wasn’t really an issue with Ronin before, but now?
Now there’s something to be hidden—feelings surfacing that I haven’t felt for a very, very long time, and I’m not quite sure what to do about that just yet.