Chapter 4
Shannon
“Sorry I’m late, Shan.”
Jess, a student barista, sauntered in after the lunchtime rush had died down.
Shannon’s brows rose. “Yeah, sure. What happened this time?”
“Eh... I…” Jess gave a half-hearted shrug. “I lost track of time.”
“I needed your help. It was really busy.” Shannon wiped down a table with a damp cloth.
“Sorry, Shan. I’ll be on time tomorrow, I swear. I just hate the early shifts when I’ve been up late studying for exams.”
Shannon couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Try horse riding for hours, scooping up horse shit, chasing horses around fields bigger than football stadiums, and cleaning out horse lorries.
“There’s a support group for that, Jess. You want in? It’s called ‘Everybody has to work,’ and we meet here tomorrow at 7 a.m. sharp.”
“Very funny, Shannon.” Jess stretched her lips into a snarky half-smile.
Jess was tall and slender, yet she wore a padded bra that made her boobs look bigger than they were. A messy knot held her bleached-white hair, and thick black eyeliner framed her pale grey eyes, giving her a sexy, cool kitten vibe.
Pretty in a polished, city-girl way, but her constant talking and pouting grew tiresome.
Whereas Shannon was petite, her athletic frame had been honed by years of hard work in the stable yard.
A tight tee emphasised her waist and breasts, while her worn trousers hugged her muscular thighs.
Off-duty, she lived in baggy hoodies and dirty boots, but working in the city meant cleaning up for a respectable appearance.
However, her true focus was her riding career, and making a name for herself in the winner’s circle.
“This day is going to drag. I’m so tired.” Jess propped her chin on her knuckles and leaned against the counter.
Shannon arched an eyebrow and slammed the fridge door shut after counting the cartons of milk inside.
“Maybe you could clean up those tables?” She nodded toward the empty chairs.
Jess pursed her lips.
“Fine! If I must.” She dragged herself toward the coffee cup chaos waiting for her.
“I need to check if the milk delivery came in. Don’t think Connie got around to it before she emptied her stomach into the storeroom,” Shannon called out, disappearing into the back.
Moments later, she returned from the office, a pen tucked behind her ear. Jess was busy chatting up the male customers, her cheeky giggle floating across the room.
Her elbows rested on the counter, pushing up her breasts, and her laugh rasped in that flirty way of hers.
Ignoring her, Shannon grabbed a tray and cleared the empty mugs Jess had overlooked. As she moved, a shiver prickled over her scalp.
With mugs piled high, she looked up and froze. Dark amber eyes locked onto hers, watching her every move.
Her blood ran hotter and her stomach flipped.
The arrogant guy from earlier stood at the counter, only a few steps away. The one who hadn’t bothered to thank her for helping his father, but shoved money at her instead.
There was no denying he looked damn good in a suit, that hint of a smirk hinting at secrets he’d never share. However, she’d resist him. No problem.
He stood there, his arms folded across his chest, those intense eyes never leaving her.
Ready to take his order, Jess cleared her throat, but his gaze held Shannon’s and the corners of his mouth twitched to a full smile.
“So, you do need money, after all?” he said.
Her mouth snapped shut, stung by his words.
“I don’t appreciate having money shoved in my face like that. It was insulting. A simple thank you would’ve been enough,” she snapped, her voice colder than she intended.
She took a step back, trying to steady herself, but her knees were like jelly.
“I was strung out because my dad vanished,” he said, his voice deep and gritty. “Doesn’t excuse how I acted. You're right, I should’ve thanked you properly. That was on me. I’ll make it right.”
His admission hung in the air between them, while his lips, so soft and full, stayed in a cocky grin, the dimple on his right cheek deepening in a way that should’ve been illegal.
A tsunami of heat crashed through her, right to her core. She fought to keep her cool, to keep her distance, but damn, the pull was strong.
“Fine.” She shrugged, playing it down.
He adjusted the knot in his tie, his eyes never leaving hers. “You have amazing blue eyes.”
Regain control.
Don’t let him get the better of you, Shannon.
Her mind screamed at her to put the tray down, to walk away.
Where to?
This place is too damn small to breathe properly.
His woodsy aftershave clung to the air, teasing her senses, and she couldn’t help but notice the smoothness of his bronzed skin.
Fuck, focus.
Just breathe .
Deep breaths.
In and out.
“Oh, that’s original.” She hitched an eyebrow, doing her best to look unimpressed. “You have a great…ear.”
The corner of his mouth quirked, and that damn dimple made another appearance.
Sweet Jesus.
He chuckled, deep and dirty. “Well, at least there’s one thing you like about me.”
Shannon inhaled, her eyes flashing with a mix of irritation and amusement.
“I wouldn’t say like . As far as ears go, they’re pretty standard.” She bit her lip, holding back the smirk that threatened to break through.
He slipped his hands into the pockets of his suit trousers, the movement casual, but his wandering gaze on her was anything but.
“I wanna take you out to say thank you for helping my dad?”
Damn, this guy was smooth with a capital S. Any girl in her right—or not-so-right—mind would jump at the offer, but she couldn’t.
There weren’t enough hours in the day for distractions.
Her strict routine left no room for anything else. And there was the small matter of rule number one. No men.
Especially not fascinating guys who threw around money like candy, with an irresistible smile that made her forget she should be working.
She stepped back, putting distance between them .
“Look, I’m too busy,” she said, steadying the tray as a paper cup tumbled from the edge and hit the floor. “I have enough on my plate right now.”
His brows furrowed, and in a single smooth motion, he stooped and picked up the empty cup.
“I’m not trying to compete with whatever’s on your plate, love,” he said, voice dipping with intent. “But you still need to eat, don’t you? Think of it as a brief escape.”
He smirked. “I could help you relax after a long shift. Maybe follow up with a hot bath, wash your hair, massage your shoulders. I’d kiss you from your toes all the way up to your?—”
“Wow, that’s fast? Could I at least digest my food first?” She arched an eyebrow. “Would I get a complimentary glass of wine, too?”
Jamie’s chuckle was low and lazy. “You have a smart mouth, love. Don’t you?”
Her pulse skipped and a laugh bubbled in her throat, breathier than she meant. “Smart mouth…and talented hands.”
The second it left her mouth, heat flushed her cheeks. God. Where the hell had that come from?
Jamie’s grin deepened. “Now I’m wondering what those hands want to do. You gonna show me later, or just keep teasing?”
His gaze dragged over her mouth. “By the way, you’d get wine and a massage as thanks for being so damn sweet.”
He held her gaze long enough to make her breath catch .
“But anything else…” His voice dipped, all rough velvet. “You’d have to ask nicely.”
She tilted her head, ignoring the heat blazing in her core. “Hmm. And let me guess, all of that builds up to a surprise ending?”
He grinned, leaning in closer. “Well, I wouldn’t say surprise …but I’m definitely full of unexpected treats. You never know what you might get with me.”
She raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. “I’ll stick to my predictable routine, thanks. I’m not in the market for unexpected treats with strangers.”
Jamie’s mouth curved, slow and sure. He took a step closer, gaze fixed on hers like he was already halfway through undressing her with his eyes.
“Good thing I’m not a stranger,” he said. “You saved my old man, which makes us friends. And that entitles me to feed you. Might as well enjoy a few hours with a man who can make you forget the world for a while.”
For a moment, the idea lingered in her mind. The thought was tempting, too tempting.
She almost let herself imagine his hands all over her skin.
“I’m sure you’re very talented,” she said, pushing the image away. “But I’ve got a full schedule.”
He laughed, clearly enjoying the challenge. “You’re trying very hard to fight this attraction.”
Shannon let out a puff of air, arms folded. “Ya think? I’m just not the type to swoon over smooth talkers offering lunch and full-service charm packages.”
Jamie reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, fingers grazing her cheek. “Swooning?... I call it chemistry.”
As he waited, she studied the fullness of his lips, and the way his dimple kept flashing after he spoke.
An unfamiliar twist in her gut left her wishing she could just let go. She longed to surrender, to lose herself in those eyes of his that seemed to strip her bare, leaving her dizzy and vulnerable.
Instead, she backed up and moved behind the counter.
“Thanks, but no thanks,” she said, her voice firm. “I have priorities outside of this place, and there’s no room for a social life.”
She turned away and focused on the coffee machine, wiping down the counter, trying to steady her shaking hands. A one-night stand with him…it could be just what she needed to blow off some steam.
The guy was gorgeous, confident, and interested in her. But then, he knew where she worked and that could turn awkward if he kept showing up.
No, she couldn’t do that. She had a plan, a life that didn’t revolve around getting swept up by a man who looked like he’d have a thousand other women chasing him.
She’d never be one of them.
But the heat in her veins… God, the temptation. The ache.
She took a deep breath and shoved the thought away, focusing back on the machine.
A few seconds later, the door chimed. She glanced over her shoulder. He was gone, the only sign of him was the empty cup left on the counter.
Her stomach dropped, an unsettling emptiness settling in.
It was for the best…wasn’t it?