Page 16 of Player For Hire
“I know that pretty slicker is waterproof, but it’s pouring. I won’t bite.” His dimple popped for a moment. “Probably.”
I laughed. The way he said it didn’t have any leering qualities. Just that pure teasing vibe that seemed to come off him like a pheromone. Or cologne. Distracting as hell. He smelled like rain and something else warm. The kind of something that made me want to snuggle right into him.
Which wasn’t like me at all.
But then he slid his arm around my waist and tucked me in close under the big black umbrella and I lost my breath.
“Oops, sorry. Didn’t want you to get splashed.”
Not like I’d even heard the car, thanks to the buzzing in my ears at how big and warm he was.
“That’s okay. Thanks.”
Did I sound as breathless as I felt? My heart roared in my ears and that warmth slid around me like his arm. And jeez, there were muscles all over him. Chest, the rock-hard slab of his middle, and those shoulders that blocked just as much of the rain as the umbrella.
“Just around the corner here and we’re almost there.” He grinned down at me, those little crinkles by his eyes just as distracting as his scent.
What the heck was wrong with me? Not like I hadn’t been touched before, for God’s sake. Not that Trent had possessed a quarter of his chivalry in the entire two years we were together.
“Here, switch with me.” He pulled me in front and to the other side, so he was on the outside of the sidewalk. “No sense you getting splashed or dirty.”
“Are you for real?”
His brows lifted. “Real how?”
I’d heard of the gentlemanly thing, but I was pretty sure I’d only read about it in books. In fact, I wasn’t sure the last time I’d been with someone who wasn’t on their phone the entire time. He hadn’t reached for his once.
“Never mind.”
He laughed. “Okay. But I’m definitely real, and you’re going to forget all about me in about three seconds.”
“Not likely,” I muttered.
He pulled me in front of him as we passed a flower shop. Huge Gerbera daisies filled white pails in an array of pinks, yellows, and purples. The doors to the shop were old and the paint chipped around the windowpanes, but in that shabby chic way. The name Daisy Rae’s was etched into the huge bay window with an old wheelbarrow full of mugs, mason jars, and old jars jumbled together with happy ribbons around their necks.
A sign stating you could make your own bouquets for five bucks a jar was one heck of an invite inside. Maybe we could stop after Colder’s surprise.
It would liven up my dull bedroom with some welcome color.
“We’ll stop after.”
I blinked up at him. How did he know? Was I that obvious?
“It’s a great place. You’ll like Daisy.”
“Do you know everyone?”
He gave an easy shrug. “I like people.” His big hand cupped my shoulder as he pushed me forward. “Let’s dry out in here first.”
The dark building took up the entire corner of the street. I noticed the street name and giggled at a flower shop being on Garden Lane. The rich scent of coffee rolled out, taking over the hint of clean rain and even Colder’s cologne.
I pushed my hood back and tipped my head back as I took in the massive space. The building was all dark, glossy wood with intricate corbels framing out the narrow doorway. Large windows dominated either side with Art Deco style fonts, one said books and the other coffee and bakery. The Library Café was scrolled in a dull gold across the top of the corbels.
I twirled around and he was grinning down at me. “I thought you might like it. Wait until you see inside. Go on.”
I rushed forward and opened the door to the café before Colder could get his umbrella down. The moment I got inside, the punch of espresso and warm bread nearly knocked me over. The lower level of the space held massive bakery glass cases with cakes, breads, and pastries. An espresso machine was steaming away, as well as a surprising number of pour over coffees and French presses.
There were small tables for intimate conversations as well as larger worktables full of people on laptops typing away. A fireplace was crackling near another window that faced out to the other side of the street. The corner placement of the building made it seem even larger inside than it looked outside.