by Fiona Archer
CHAPTER SIX
Harper looked up from the table she was wiping, and glanced at the old clock hanging over the wide entry doors of Seven Dishes. Four o’clock. The afternoon had dragged. Sure she’d kept busy. There were always customers. Thank God. And the management side of owning a café wasn’t light, either. But those blue eyes of Seth’s and the way they shone soft with his concern or glinted flint hard when he went all alpha badass had been central in her thoughts.
Okay, thinking about Seth went against her wishes for him to stay away and keep whatever form of protection he planned at a distance. But that didn’t mean the touch of his lips on her forehead when he’d kissed her earlier wasn’t so imprinted in her memory that, swear to God, she could close her eyes and still feel the warm happiness that had swept over her body.
“Sweetness.”
Heck, now she was hearing his voice.
She shook her head and finished wiping the table.
“Harper.” A hand gently gripped her shoulder and turned her around.
Seth, with Heath standing beside him, tugged on a lock of her hair. “Hey there.”
The good news was she wasn’t going nuts. The bad news was her knees kind of wobbled at the hair tugging, and not like she would when a five-year-old boy pulled her hair in kindergarten if the pleasure coiling through her was a guide.
“I thought...” Her words came out hoarse. She ignored Seth’s lip twitch and Heath’s smile and cleared her throat. “I thought I’d made it clear you were to do your protection thing from a distance.”
Seth nodded slowly. “You certainly said as much. Unfortunately for you, I have my own ideas.” He stepped closer and skimmed his hand over her body to rest it at the top of her hip. “And they include times when I keep you close, as in touching distance.”
She lifted her chin. “Since I’m a busy woman with a café to run, and you have your own dramas, I’m betting those times will be few and far between.”
Seth pressed his fingers into her hip as he pulled her closer so that her breasts were only inches from rubbing against his white shirt. “Neither of us work twenty-four-seven, luv.”
Honestly!
She stepped to the side and out of his hold. “Like I said before, waste whatever time you want. But if you’re going to hang around, you need to be a paying customer.”
“Absolutely.” Seth walked around her and sat at the freshly wiped table. Heath did the same. Seth grabbed the one page menu sheet. “What do you recommend?”
“Arsenic on toast.”
Both men laughed, their unabashed humor drawing glances from her customers, not to mention her curious staff. Nitro was practically leaning over the counter to hear them better. Harper gritted her teeth.
Seth leaned back in his replica Chippendale seat, part of the odd couplings of furniture throughout the cafe. “That on the menu?”
“No, but for you I am prepared to break the rules and make a special order.”
“She cares, mate,” Heath observed through a chuckle.
Seth’s eyes shone with amusement. “Oh, she does. She just doesn’t know how to steer all that emotion yet. But we’ll work it out.”
Heath turned the robin’s egg blue cardstock menu from front to back. “You get anyone asking for something different than the seven offerings of mains?”
Harper shrugged. “Occasionally, but most people like the quirkiness. And once they try our dishes, they like the food and keep returning. There’s something about knowing your favorite meal will be on the menu unless there’s a special occasion. Besides, we have a general assortment of pastries and cakes at the counter. It’s the food made to order we restrict.”
“Chicken Tower Club, Skinny Ass Salad with the works, Lumberjack Hamburger, French Onion Soup, Leaning Tower of Veggie, Beef Stroganoff, and Rocky Road Sundae Extravaganza.” Seth lifted his gaze back to her. “That’s an eclectic offering.”
“All favorites and comfort food. Well, apart from the salad, but it comes with extras. People vote with their wallets. We serve what they like.”
“And your favorite?” Heath leaned back showing his broad shoulders were wider than the navy cushioned back of the chair.
“The stroganoff’s killer.”
Seth glanced back toward the kitchen area. “I like to cook. Maybe you’ll share the recipe.”
“No way, handsome. Company secrets, like recipes, stay with me and my chef.” She knew she was playing with fire, but Seth needed to know she wasn’t about to be charmed easily.
“Well then, I’ll just have to get creative to weaken your defenses.” Seth’s voice flowed over her like a generous spoonful of velvety rich chocolate sauce flavored with a pinch of chili that delivered a spark of heat to the all right places.
Deciding that ignoring Seth was likely her best option right now, she shoved her rag in one pocket of her apron and grabbed her order pad and pen from the other. “Heath, what can I get you?”
“Dillon’s volunteered to feed all his brothers tonight, so I’ll just have a coffee. Make it a straight black, thanks.” The cop’s relaxed features and easy manner seemed incongruous with her memories of this morning when he studied her with his forensic-sharp gaze like she was a suspect in a break-in instead of the victim of a hoax.
Which served to remind her a girl underestimated these alpha guys at her own risk.
Seth said, “The guys and I still have a lot to plan and discuss, and after such a long time apart...” He broke off and grimaced. “Well, you saw from this morning we have a few things to talk through.”
“That’s great, you all catching up.” And it was, both allowing the men to reconnect and, at least for right now, giving her the space from Seth she hoped for. So why did the prospect of not seeing him tonight leave her chest feeling empty? She buried that silliness deep and turned to Seth. “How about you? Juice, soda, or maybe arsenic in a glass?” She added a smile to take out any sting.
He huffed a laugh. “I think I’ll take my chances with an Americano.”
Harper scribbled down their order. “Okeydoke. Won’t be long.” She allowed herself a quick glance back. Seeing his gaze, assessing and confident, still fixed on her as he leaned back in the chair, a thrill sped through her, sending a flush of heat down deep.
She headed to the counter and gave the guys’ order to Nitro.
“Who are the dudes?” he asked while preparing their order.
“That’s Seth and Heath Justice.”
He switched his gaze to Harper. “The jerk from this morning?”
Harper sighed. Upon returning to the café, she’d dived in to help her staff with the remainder of the morning rush. By ten o’clock, they’d had a chance to take a breath and she reassured her loyal team Seth wasn’t the Antichrist, and in fact, was not responsible for the post. That didn’t mean they were about to add Seth to their Christmas card list. Not until he passed inspection. Her one blessing was that Nitro was the only one left on shift from earlier. Kristy and Nadia, her two university students working their normal afternoon and early evening shifts, were blissfully unaware of this morning’s drama.
Harper dropped her pad back into the pocket of her apron. “We’ve clearly established he’s not a jerk.” And he wasn’t, but he was damn stubborn. “So if you could maybe not drop any poison into his cup, that would be appreciated.”
“I could take him, you know I could.” Nitro looked over Harper’s head, his gaze narrowing as he surveyed his potential opponent. “He gives you any hint of trouble, Harper, let me know.”
Yes, Nitro was tall and lean, but he didn’t have Seth’s muscled bulk. Most importantly, he hadn’t anywhere near the Aussie’s life experiences, which Harper would bet gave Seth the ultimate fighting edge.
“Babe, I’m thinking that’s probably not likely. So how about we leave testing that theory for another day, as in never.” She glanced up as Nitro finished making the coffees. “But just so you know, I love you for offering to put your body on the line.�
� She gave him a wink, grabbed the coffees, and headed over to their table.
As she delivered their order, Heath’s phone rang. He looked at the screen. “This may take a while.” He grabbed his cup from the table and walked to a spot against the far wall where nobody was sitting.
Seth gestured with his hand to Heath’s abandoned seat. “Can you spare a minute?”
A quick glance revealed the ten or so seated customers seemed content, and her team was coping with those lined up at the counter. And he’d asked nicely, not demanded.
“Sure, I can spare a few minutes.” Slipping into the opposite chair, she leaned forward, her hands clasped in front of her. “What’s up?”
“Things were pretty intense for you this morning, both before you arrived at my office and during.” Seth gaze softened with concern. “I wanted to make sure you were okay, and if not, how I could make that better.”
She felt her body relax in the chair and sink deeper into the cushioned seat. That was nice of him.
“Thank you, I appreciate you asking.” She glanced down at her hands before lifting her head. “I’ve been worried about you, too. How did things go with my dad?”
“Bloody marvelous,” Seth answered with a humorless laugh.
“Damn.” She reached out and grasped his hand, giving it a squeeze. “This is such a crappy thing that’s happening to you, and so freaking insidious. I wish there was some way I could help.”
He turned over his hand so he now had hold of hers and rubbed his thumb over the top of her skin. “You already have by offering.”
She opened her mouth, but unsure of what to say, let it close.
“But I’m going to ask you this favor. Tell me why you don’t want to see me.” He firmed his grip when she moved to pull free. “It’s not that you don’t like me. Last night we made plans to see each other again, and that connection doesn’t disappear overnight.”
“A lot has happened since that time, Seth.” Harper reminded him.
“Then let’s go down that list. You believe me that I’m not responsible for the posts.”
“Yes.”
“You agree we’re attracted to each other, and I’m not referring exclusively to sex.”
When he’d told her earlier Aussies were blunt speakers, he wasn’t kidding.
“Seth, I—” She broke off at his hard stare. “Yes, you know that from last night.”
Seth inclined his head. “Exactly my point. The one thing that’s changed from last night to now is the posts. So what about them exactly makes you want to take a step back?”
“Look, I just feel your energies should be elsewhere right now.”
“Harper, I don’t want to be the guy who hassles you, but I’m trying to work out why you’re running when the look in your eyes each time I touch you says something completely different.” She opened her mouth with an automatic denial, but he spoke first. “I’m no fool, so don’t try to bluff your way out.”
Fine. “This morning your world turned upside down. And mine along with it, at least for a couple of hours. Identity theft. You fighting to save the deal with my dad. Not to mention there’s obviously things you need to work out with your brothers.” Harper shrugged. “In all honesty, after just one night, that’s pretty heavy stuff.” She took a breath as Seth continued to caress her hand. Each sweep of his thumb reassured her on some level, as if coaxing her to reveal more. “I need time before I know if I want to take on that kind of complication.”
Seth picked up his coffee with his free hand and sipped before saying, “I think that’s a smart move.”
She dipped her head to the side. “You do?”
He lowered his cup. “You’d be crazy to not question seeing me again after everything that’s happened. And one of the things I find attractive about you is your intelligence.”
Damn, he said all the right things, but more importantly, from his direct stare, she could tell he meant them as well.
“So you’ll give me that time and space?”
“No.”
She reared back in her seat, pulling her hand out of his grasp. “But you just said—”
“Let me rephrase, I’ll give you both time and space, but not as much as you’d like.” He took another sip of his coffee, as if that explained everything.
Um, not quite. “That’s not respecting my wishes at all.”
“Harper, I’m a guy who learned as a kid what it was like to be denied opportunities. Now that I’m in a different place in my life, when I see something good, especially when that goodness is in front of me, I pursue it with everything I am.”
Her soft gasp seemed louder in that charged moment. She’d never had anyone state their interest in her in such a bold manner. A happy giddiness, as if she was lying on a cloud of cotton-candy that floated on the breeze, swept over her body. Unfortunately, such feelings just complicated things further.
“I don’t know what to say.” She glanced out the front window and watched people walking by, each heading off on their own path, separate from everyone around them. Facing back to Seth, she said, “It feels wonderful to be wanted, but none of that changes what I said earlier.”
“Harper, I’m not proposing marriage. We’ll take things as they come. No pushing. No expectations apart from being honest with each other and allowing ourselves the chance to explore what we have.”
Okay, but what about the fine print? “And what does taking things as they come mean exactly?”
“It means you taking my calls, us having dinner tomorrow and whatever happens after that”—he shrugged—“happens. But Harper”—he leaned across the table and reclaimed her hand—“I’d like you to call me, too. I’m going to pursue you, of that have no doubt. But if you feel the urge to call, I want you to know that won’t be you putting yourself out there and wondering if you’ll fall. I’ll answer your call.”
She carefully, slowly took a deep breath. “You’re sweeping away any potential reason to evade you, aren’t you?”
He winked. “Too bloody right, luv.”
That had to be a ‘yes’ in Aussiespeak. “Tomorrow’s Friday. I can’t make dinner. Previous engagement.” Which was true. She had agreed to go to a fundraiser dinner with a friend weeks ago. “But if you’re free Saturday, could you come over to my place for lunch?” Allowing herself at least one full day off a week was a perk when she had such good staff, and weekends in this mainly business district were quietest at the cafe.
“Sounds good.”
“Great, and maybe before then, you could type out a list of translations for basic phrases and words, so I know what you’re saying when you speak in your native dialect.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “Smart arse.”
“Now that I understand.” In fact, she kind of liked hearing ass pronounced an r, especially when all the Aussie Justice brothers were together. Which reminded her…
“I’m not sure I’m a big hit with your brothers, especially Adam. I don’t think he’d be happy to see me again.” Truthfully, she wasn’t in a hurry to repeat the experience, either. “In fact, I’m pretty damn sure Adam warned me off.”
Seth let go of her hand and took another sip of his coffee. “My brothers will come around, Harper. Dillon already likes you. Heath’s a cop, and takes a while to warm to anyone. Zach’s a deep thinker. He doesn’t say shit until he knows the person well, and even then, he keeps it to a minimum. This morning was a shock to them, too.”
The last point was true. And she’d stormed into Seth’s office, declaring herself the messenger from hell.
Oh, Lord.
“As for Adam, he’s your steroid version of a big brother.” Seth shrugged. “I was under attack, and Adam hadn’t been fully informed of specifics before he launched his first counter-offensive. But most of all, his bad mood was down to the fact he’d also been attacked online.”
What the hell? “There’s been another incident?”
“Turned out Adam’s was the first. Happened aroun
d two in the morning. Sensitive information relating to his career in the military, including his name and picture, was posted on an online chat board.”
Seth didn’t share further specifics about what kind of information, but Harper wasn’t an idiot. Whatever was shared was something Adam’s employers would want kept secret.
“Jesus, Seth, someone really hates your family.”
“Bro...” Heath’s voice made her jump. He stopped beside Seth and glanced her way. His grin proved he’d seen her startle.
Dammit, why did she feel in need of a lawyer around this guy?
Heath placed his cup next to Seth’s. “Great coffee, Harper. Thanks.” He turned his gaze to Seth. “I got a call from a contact. There’s an update we need to share with the guys.”
And obviously he didn’t want to go into any detail in front of her. Which was cool.
Seth stood and went for his wallet.
Harper held out her hand. “This one’s on the house.”
“You’re running a business, luv. And right now, Heath can’t be seen taking freebies from anyone.”
“But I wouldn’t say anything.” She frowned as Seth dropped some bills on the table.
“Know that, honey, but anyone could see us and draw their own misinformed conclusions, especially if they had read the post he’s mentioned in this morning. This way, we’re taking no chances.”
Good point. She hadn’t even considered that possibility.
“Later, Harper.” Heath gave a chin lift and moved off, likely giving them privacy.
“I’ll call you tomorrow morning, and we’ll make plans for lunch Saturday.” Seth gripped her waist and drew her close. Her hands automatically rested on his chest, and she spread her fingers wide in eagerness to feel the hard muscles beneath. “Until then, coffee girl.”
He inclined his head and claimed her mouth in a gentle, slow kiss that held the promise of so much more for later, like when they weren’t standing in front of huge glass windows in her café. When he lifted his head, he skimmed his thumb over her chin.
“Hell, if that hunk of sexy came as a side order with every coffee, I’d move in.” A female voice said none too quietly from behind Harper.
