Red Red Rose

by Stephanie Hoffman McManus

  I didn’t bother asking what kind of desserts he enjoyed.

  Melinda returned to clear our plates and drop off the check and I started to regret not ordering dessert. Not because I believed for one second that the button on my jeans wouldn’t bust if another bite of anything passed my lips, but because I wasn’t ready for the night to be over. We had only a few minutes left while Melinda took his money to pay the check.

  “Thank you for dinner,” I said lamely.

  “It was my pleasure.”

  Seconds ticked by where neither of us said anything. He was content to sit there, observing me, probably reading every thought on my face while his features remained stubbornly unreadable. I grabbed the water glass that I’d left untouched most of the meal and sipped from it. After two glasses of wine, I had to pee the second it passed my lips.

  “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.” I shoved my chair back and stood. I made my way to the far side of the restaurant where the bathrooms were located. It was completely unoccupied when I pushed inside and shut myself in one of the few stalls. I made quick use of the bathroom and then exited to find Spencer waiting at the end of the short hallway, my purse in his hand.

  “Shall we?” he jerked his head toward the exit, holding the small, black leather bag out to me.

  I took it and then followed him out the doors. There was another couple on their way in. I stepped out of the way and Spencer held the door for them.

  “Where’d you park?” he glanced out over the lot.

  “Right over there.” I pointed at my car to the left in the far row.

  “I’ll walk you.”

  The staccato beat inside my chest became rapid and uneven. Would he try to kiss me goodnight? I hoped so. My last kiss had been Nathan, and while it wasn’t terrible, he kissed like he did everything else. It was all about him. I knew that kissing Shaw would be an entirely different experience. Possibly a life-altering one if it was anything like in my fantasies. His lips, like the rest of his body, were designed for pleasure, among other things.

  I hit the automatic unlock as we neared my car. It beeped and the lights flashed, and then we were standing at the door. Instead of reaching for it, I turned my back to the car and let my eyes travel swiftly up his long, lean body. I shifted on my feet.

  “Thanks again for dinner.” I tucked my hair behind my ear, averting my eyes momentarily to avoid what I was making into an awkward goodnight. Warm fingers grazed the underside of my chin and tipped my head to level my gaze with his.

  “Next time we do this, you let your guard down.”

  Confusion tugged at my face. “What do you mean?”

  He lowered his hand from my face, but took a step closer and instinctively I leaned back against the cool metal of my car.

  “I don’t think you truly relaxed once during dinner. Every time I’d start to see you open yourself up, you’d realize it and pull back. You’re afraid to let me in. Maybe just afraid of me altogether.”

  I swallowed back the fear that was crawling up my throat. “Do I have a reason to be?”

  “I think you know you don’t. So next time, no need to bring the guard dog.”

  “That wasn’t my idea,” I shook my head. “I didn’t ask him to come.”

  “It’s okay. I understand and I’m sorry, I’m making you uncomfortable.” He took a step back to give me my space, but I reached out and put a hand on his arm.

  I held his eyes for a moment and then relaxed, letting out a deep breath. He was right. I had no reason to be afraid. “I really didn’t ask Will to come. I was nervous tonight. Maybe more so than I would normally be, but part of that is just you. Not me being afraid of you, but just the way you make me feel. It’s a little scary and I don’t quite understand it. I also can’t help if I’m a little guarded after Nathan, but I think I see now that there’s no comparison.”

  “Good.” He drew me into his chest and kissed the top of my head. “I want you to be able to trust me, but I know trust isn’t freely given. However many dates it takes to show you, I’m in.”

  I softly set my hands against the hard planes of his abdomen and tipped my head back. “So there’s going to be a second date?”

  “There is,” he answered assuredly. “And I’m going to pick you up and take you home at the end of the night, but for now I’m going to say goodnight and let you go.” He lowered his lips to my forehead. “Goodnight, Nora,” his rich voiced washed over me like smooth whiskey creating a nice buzz inside, just before he lightly touched his lips down. He held them there and I closed my eyes, breathing him in before he pulled back.

  “Goodnight Spencer,” I leaning up on my toes to press my lips to his rough jaw. I started to ease back, but his arm shot out and wound around my waist, pulling my body flush against his. My stomach muscles coiled, and his other hand swept across my cheek and brushed my hair back.

  “I like my name on your lips.” The soft rumble of his voice was followed by the tickle of his warm breath on my cheek.

  “I like it too,” I admitted.

  A torn look crossed his features for a moment before softening. He dropped his lips, brushing them softly over my cheek, and then he released me.

  “Sleep tight, Nora.”

  ~~~~

  Fists clenched at my side, I watched her go. The taillights were like a beacon, calling out to me, urging me to follow, but I had to be careful. Keep my distance. She had her guard up and she wasn’t the only one watching.

  Soon enough I would have what I wanted.

  None of them would stand in my way.

  I would have what was mine.

  Being so close was torture, but I’d waited this long. I could wait until the time was right and then I would have everything I’d ever wanted. The only thing I needed.

  Twelve

  “Sooo . . .” Cassie sidled up next to me when she came on for her shift. “How was your date last night?”

  “It was good,” I answered, not looking up from the information packets I was reviewing. The shop was doing well enough that I was thinking of bringing in another bean to add to our diverse coffee menu. I continued reading up on our supplier’s Ethiopian and Costa Rican blends, but I could feel Cassie breathing down my neck. I twisted my head to the side, raising my eyebrows.

  “Do you need something?

  “Aren’t you going to ask about my date?” she prodded and I could see she was almost bursting at the seams.

  “Fine, how was your date with Will?”

  Her face split into a wide grin and her eyes got all dreamy. “It was perfect.”

  “Good.” I started to turn my attention back to the reading materials, but Cassie wasn’t done.

  “He was a perfect gentleman, at least at dinner,” she dropped her voice conspiratorially. “After dinner, he was anything but gentle.” She let out a giggle, and I cringed.

  “I didn’t need to know that, Cass.”

  It was as if she didn’t hear me. “He drove me home and walked me to the door, just like you see in the movies. It was so romantic. I’ve never had a guy open doors for me like he did, or walk me to my door. I was a little nervous. I really wanted him to kiss me, but was afraid to make the first move, but then he made it. And boy did he ever make it.” She let out a soft, wistful sigh.

  “It started out sweet and light, but then he was pushing me up against the door and the next thing I knew we were shoving our way inside and we couldn’t get enough of each other. The things he can do with his mouth and hands . . . mmmm,” she groaned.

  I couldn’t take anymore. She started to open her mouth to keep going and I knew if I had to hear about the rest of their night, I would be sick. I hit the button on the grinder and it whirred to life, cutting off her lust-filled ramblings.

  A slight frown pinched her mouth and brow. “What’d you do that for?”

  “Sorry, can’t hear you.” I gripped the papers in my hand. “I have work to do.” I waved them at her and then turned to move to the far e
nd of the counter. The sound of the grinder cut off and then Cassie was following me.

  “You don’t want to hear about the rest of my date?”

  I turned on her. “No. I really, really don’t. You continue with that story and I won’t even be able to look Will in the face the next time he comes in. You’re both my friends and it’s just a mental image I do not want in my head.”

  She giggled, “Fine. I’ll tell Reggie. He’ll want to hear about it.”

  “Good idea. He’s in the kitchen. I’m sure he’d love to hear all about it.” To my relief she bounced off toward the kitchen. “And while you’re in there, the floor needs mopping,” I called after her, but wouldn’t be surprised if later she claimed not to have heard me.

  As long as she didn’t try to make me listen to her and Will’s sexcapades, I didn’t care if she mopped or not. I went back to comparing coffee blends while I had a free moment. It was slow in the shop right now, but I knew it wouldn’t stay that way.

  Midnight Ethiopian it is.

  Our menu needed another dark roast coffee. I preferred the bold flavors, as long as they were smooth and rich, and this one promised to be. With that decision out of the way, I made a mental note to call the Seattle based roasting company and let them know to add it to our next order.

  As busy as we’d been lately, I also needed to hire another barista. When we started out, five of us could handle it with Em taking care of everything in the office, and then fall hit and we were busier and I brought on Carlie, but now I almost needed three people working at all times. I was pretty sure I could handle bringing on another part-timer, but I’d need a minute to sit down with my books to make sure before I put up the sign.

  “Trying to solve the problems of the world?”

  I snorted softly and stopped doodling on the coffee papers to look up into Danny’s warm hazel eyes, peering at me over the espresso machine. “I think that’s your job. I’m just trying to keep a business running.”

  “Well, let me help.” He held up and wiggled his empty cup. “Another, please.”

  “Are you sure I can’t talk you into a decaf, or maybe a nice cup of tea?”

  His face transformed into a look of horror. “Why would you say such a thing?”

  Chuckling, I turned and reached for our largest cup and started preparing his drink. “This is your what? Fourth one today? Just worried you’re going to keel over in my shop one of these days from a caffeine overdose. What would I do without my best customer?”

  He glanced around the shop. “I think you’d be just fine.”

  “I still feel like it’s my duty to cut you off at some point.”

  He scoffed, “Heresy.”

  “Fine. But I don’t want to be blamed when your heart stops.” I finished his drink and reluctantly handed it over.

  “Thank you.” His eyes narrowed on me suspiciously. “I’ll know if you switched me to decaf.”

  I laughed. “Get back to work. I’m sure you’ve got some very important something to be working on.”

  “Ah yes, ‘toil is man’s allotment; toil of brain, or toil of hands’.”

  “And who said that?” Danny was ever quoting the brilliant minds of the ages.

  “Herman Melville, and back to the toil I go. With my life-giving brew.”

  Somehow Cassie managed to sneak up behind me, and startled me when she spoke softly over my shoulder. “Did you know the police interviewed him? Do you think he’s the killer? He did always have eyes for Emily every time she was in the shop.”

  “The police are interviewing everyone, and every straight guy with a pulse had eyes for Em any time she walked into the room,” I brushed aside her notion. “That’s hardly damning evidence, Cassie. I know everyone is freaked out because whoever is doing this is out there, maybe even in our town, but it won’t do any good making people out to be guilty without evidence. Use caution in who you trust by all means, but I don’t want to see anyone here treating our customers like suspects. Got it?”

  “Of course.” She cast an uneasy glance at Danny’s table, and then covered it with a smile. “So has tall, dark and sexy been in yet today? When’s your next date?” Just like that she transitioned, but still not to a topic that was open for discussion.

  “No, I haven’t seen him today, and he hasn’t asked me out on a second date yet.” He just told me there was going to be one. There was no asking involved. As much as I used to hate when Nathan would make plans for us, or just assume he knew what I wanted without actually consulting me, I wasn’t bothered by Spencer’s take charge demeanor. The difference was that Spencer seemed to be in tune with my wants and desires, and wanted to give them to me. Whereas, Nathan was only in tune with himself. It didn’t leave much room in a relationship for anyone else’s opinion.

  “But you think he’s going to ask you out again, right? You said the date was good.”

  “It was good.”

  “Then why wouldn’t he ask you out on a second date?”

  “Let it rest.” I felt like I was back in high school, talking about prom dates.

  Her face scrunched up in a frown. “Why are you not more excited? If I was in your shoes, I’d have nailed him down weeks ago. Nailed being the operative word,” she winked. “You should definitely invite him over and cook him dinner. Then after dinner, you hit the lights, put on a movie, then maybe subtly mention how much you could use a back massage or a foot rub, you know, because you work on your feet all day.”

  “Wait, are you trying to give me advice on seducing Spencer?”

  “Oh, it’s Spencer now? You finally got a first name out of him. And it’s a good one.”

  “I know.”

  “Well you should definitely let Spencer give you a back massage. One thing always leads to another, then bow-chicka-wow-wow.”

  “Thanks for the advice, but I’m perfectly capable of seducing a man on my own.”

  “Oooh, who are we seducing?” Reggie’s timing was impeccable, or awful depending on which side of this conversation you were on. I was inclined to go with the latter.

  “No one,” I answered at the same time Cassie said, “Who do you think?”

  “Oh, Mr. Orgasm Eyes?”

  Cassie nodded, smiling while I just stared at Reggie with raised eyebrows. “Orgasm eyes?”

  “Uh, yes. I’m convinced that man can induce orgasms with just a look.”

  Okay, that was actually a pretty accurate description when he put it that way. “That is beside the point. Someone is going to hear you.”

  “No, I think it is the point and I’d like to discuss it further. Do you have first-hand knowledge of his orgasm inducing skills?” Reggie waggled his eyebrows.

  “I went on one date with the guy,” I reminded the both of them pointedly.

  “That’s more than enough if the guy’s good. So tell us; is he?”

  A throat cleared and the three of us shifted our attention.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Please carry-on.” He wore a shit-eating grin and if the world was fair, a black hole would have appeared at that moment and swallowed me up. But it didn’t, and as the red flush blossomed on my cheeks, his amusement grew.

  “So, am I?”

  I changed my mind; if the world was truly fair, he would be the one swallowed up by the black hole, and if his low chuckle was anything to go by, my expression was broadcasting my thoughts.

  “I guess if you can’t answer, I’ll just have to help you out.”

  I couldn’t decide if what came next happened in slow motion or the blink of an eye. His eyes locked on mine. Target acquired. Then he was leaning half over the counter. For me, time was suspended while the rest of the world moved around us at regular speed. His hand reached out, curling around the back of my neck, drawing me to him. I went, like a moth to a flame and then I felt the heat of his breath on my cheek and could see the fire dancing in his eyes. My lips parted to draw in air and then his were there, hovering over mine. That was when I caught up to
reality. My heart, which had stopped, thudded back to life inside my chest the moment our lips touched.

  His fingers curled tighter around my neck and I leaned up on my toes to meet his kiss with an eagerness I couldn’t hold back. I closed my eyes, and had to stop myself from reaching my hands up and digging them in his hair. I flattened them on the counter and let him show me what I had missed last night. I didn’t care that we were putting on a show for Reggie and Cassie and every customer in the shop. None of them even existed for me. All of my senses were wrapped up in one person and everything he was doing to me. His skin smelled faintly of soap and something lightly musky that was uniquely him. My heartbeat drummed in my ears; the soundtrack of this moment, and he tasted of cool winter mint washed with coffee. His lips were warm while his kiss was both gentle and rough. He was taking, consuming, not asking permission, but so softly and tenderly that it stole my breath.

  His lips broke from mine, just long enough for me to suck in a breath and then he brought them together. Once. Twice. Then a final time before he pulled back slowly and released me. I pried my eyes open, letting the rest of the world back in. I was held captive by the intense look in his eye. Once my feet were firmly planted back on the floor, I let out the breath in my lungs and enjoyed the warm tingles that hummed through my system. His chest was rising and falling as rapidly as my own.

  That kiss might have been everything I was expecting, maybe more, but somehow I knew it was more than Spencer had thought it would be. His eyes couldn’t lie. It might have started out as a game, a way for him to tease, to be in control, but the moment our mouths joined, neither of us was in control.

  “I think we have our answer,” Reggie drolled ruefully, eliciting a quiet giggle from Cassie.

  Spencer ignored them and I couldn’t have pulled my eyes away from his if I’d wanted to.

  “Tomorrow night.”

  “Can I pick the place?”

  “Anywhere.”

  “Anywhere?” It was my turn to grin.