Chapter 15
Elias
Mugs clank together, and customers chat in a cacophony of my everyday work as I maneuver around Barbara.
The tight space behind the counter isn’t made for a broader man’s build, but I make it work.
The scent of a blueberry muffin warming permeates the air, and I can practically see Harmony drooling from here. It was always her favorite.
Damn it. I refocus on the drink I’m making and pull the lever down on the urn, filling the to-go cup with black coffee.
Harmony hums to herself as she works and taps her foot a couple of times to the beat of the soft country music. Her hips sway back and forth in a hypnotizing way, and I have to literally force myself to look at the drink in my hand.
What was I thinking to outright flirt with her when we live together? Actually, let’s back it up even more. Had I lost my mind when I offered to teach her how to cook? I forgot myself somewhere in between accepting this assignment and now.
As I go to place the beverage on the counter, Harmony turns suddenly and bumps into my ass.
The lid on the drink in my hand pops off at the same time.
Some of the scalding liquid in my cup spills over and soaks my apron while simultaneously something hot splatters onto my back and seeps through my shirt.
I widen my eyes at the sudden burning, and I jerk away.
Hitting the back counter with a thud, I cough, trying to cover up my wince.
Harmony’s cheeks turn a shade of scarlet for the third time today. “I’m so sorry.”
She grabs a towel from her back pocket and starts patting at my apron. Right. Above. My. Dick. My heart pounds in sync with every tap. When she turns me around to start on my back, I face all the customers who stand by the pickup area. I gulp down air as almost a dozen pairs of eyes watch.
A middle-aged woman reaches inside her purse and pulls out a phone.
“Stop,” I growl to Harmony.
Her eyes flick up to meet mine. “Stop what?”
I grab her hand, and my heart thumps against my ribs. I ignore the sensation. It’s only a distraction. And in our case, distractions can kill. As I pull her along, away from the rude lady with her phone out who will only bring more trouble for us, Harmony digs her heels in.
“Can you stop fighting me?” I say under my breath so only she can hear.
“Tell me why you’re dragging me back here.”
We’re in the doorway to the break room. Only a couple more steps and we’ll have the privacy we need, but Harmony won’t budge.
“Do you want to stay out here where customers already have their phones out and you’re left unprotected?
” I gesture toward the small crowd of people.
“Or would you rather brave the break room with me?”
Harmony mumbles something under her breath that I can’t quite hear and struts into the break room. Her hips sway, and I tear my gaze off her ass to the epoxy floor. She heads directly to the first aid kit as I untie my apron and toss it into the dirty laundry basket.
She rushes back to me and flashes a burn ointment package. “This should help.”
I motion for her to go into the bathroom ahead of me.
“Why do I have to go in there with you?”
“I can’t leave you out here without protection.”
She shoots me a wary look but enters. Positioning myself in front of the mirror, I raise my shirt. The light flickers as I take in my pink skin. My stomach stings, but it isn’t something to worry over right now. My back, on the other hand? It’s as if it has been stabbed with a hot poker.
I stick my hand out for the ointment. Harmony keeps the packet gripped in her hand, well out of my reach.
“Can I have it?”
“Let me help.” She takes a step forward. “It’s my fault.”
Her hands on my body? No, thank you. I’ve already had to live the past two weeks with a permanent hard-on seeing her in her short shorts pajamas and tight tops. Doesn’t she realize it’s winter? “I’ve got it.” My voice comes out gruffer than I intend.
“The spot on your back will be really hard to reach,” she argues, unable to meet my eyes.
“I’ll manage. I barely feel anything.” Lie. “It’s fine.”
“Are you sure? Just let me have a peek at it.” She moves closer, and my mouth turns dry. “That is if you’re okay with it.”
“Do I have a choice?”
She blows out a laugh. “Absolutely not. I was just trying to be nice.” Then she winks.
I bite my tongue. If I listen, this will be over much faster. I spin away from her and motion to the lower part of my back. My hands tremble as I lift my shirt to allow her access.
She clears her throat and rips open the package.
I shift as her breath dances on my back.
Her fingers graze my sensitive skin as she rubs in the ointment.
A chill that has nothing to do with the gel Harmony is spreading onto my burn and everything to do with the person touching me climbs up my spine.
My entire body clenches as she rubs in circles, leaving a trail of goose bumps.
Has it been a minute? An hour? Time stops when Harmony’s so close I can inhale her citrusy scent. Fuck. Is that my body wash? Until now, I’ve kept enough distance between us that I never realized.
The bathroom closes in around us while I look at her in the mirror. She bites her lip as she swipes her fingers across my back one more time. My eyes are still on her mouth when I realize she’s done and already looking up at me.
Our gazes collide, and neither of us looks away. Her chest rises and falls in rapid succession. If I don’t back away now, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop myself from pulling her to me. I turn around. We’re mere inches from each other.
“Thanks. I got it from here.” My words come out huskier than I want.
Harmony looks down at her gel-covered fingers. “Does it feel better?” Then she blinks up at me with doe eyes. “Or do you need more?”
Or do you need more? Her hushed words ripple through me, sending a jolt straight to my dick.
Don’t get distracted. Stay aware of the surroundings. That’s why I brought her in here with me. To protect her, not to touch her.
But what harm will one taste bring? At this point, I can’t even remember why I’m resisting this tug between us.
Gripping her waist, I pull her into me. Her steps don’t hesitate as she wraps her arms around my neck.
Her minty breath dances on my neck as our faces come closer together.
We’re so close I can already imagine tasting her.
Right as our lips are about to meet, a noise in the break room makes me jump back.
Harmony pushes up against the closed bathroom door, creating a valley between us. Her copper-flecked eyes narrow, glaring daggers at me.
Then she flees.