"Morning, Sherryl. Did you miss me?"
"You tampered with my car, didn't you?"
I stepped closer, my body near hers, but not quite touching. She looked away for a moment, then took a breath and met my gaze through her lashes. "What's wrong? Couldn't get your morning coffee?"
"Actually, I was heading for breakfast."
The garage was just opposite the hospital I was working at.
I reached out and gently stroked her cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Didn't get enough sleep last night, were you thinking about me?" My implication was clear, and her cheeks flushed at my words.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She glanced over her shoulder at Alex, who was unloading her vehicle.
"Let me take you to breakfast. We can go to the hospital cafeteria." I should have offered to make her breakfast, but there was no food in the garage room above the shop, and I wasn't sure if she'd come home with me yet.
Sheryl turned back around and looked into my eyes. After a second, she finally nodded, and I felt like I gained a little more control. She had me completely captivated.
Walking over to Alex, I signed the paperwork and had him leave the car so that my friend could fix it.
Once he was gone, I walked over to my Duchess and took her hand. I led us in the direction of the cafeteria, and she started to pull her hand away. Feeling her resistance, I turned and looked at her, wanting to make this clear.
"Are you officially off the market yet?" I didn't mean for the words to sound angry, but they did.
She looked away from me, shifting her gaze to the floor. I could barely make out the word as she whispered, "No."
"Then you can hold my hand and have breakfast with me." Snatching her hand back, I walked us towards the cafeteria again, and this time I didn't feel an ounce of resistance from her.
She might be promised to someone else, but she was mine. And I was going to do everything in my power to ensure it stayed that way.
I tried not to think about how warm and soft her hand was or about how I was rubbing my thumb across her fingers as we walked.
I was trying to focus on my steps so I didn't trip because I was too busy thinking about how beautiful she was.
We walked into the cafeteria, and there were a few long-term patients at the counter.
They turned and gave me a nod because I was a regular.
I was normally in here at 5 a.m., having my coffee, so I expected a few looks when I pulled Sheryl in behind me.
Nobody said anything. They just gave her a long, lingering once-over and then went back to what they were doing.
I couldn't blame them. I'd have a hard time keeping my eyes off her, even if I was seventy years old.
We sat down, and old Rick, the cafeteria worker, came over with the menus. I looked at Sheryl and waited for her to go first. She looked back at me, and I saw some hesitation on her face, but I didn't know why.
"Order what you want, Duchess." She bit her bottom lip, and it made my heart pound. She looked so incredibly sweet that I wanted to lean across the table and kiss her lips myself.
"I'll have the hearty breakfast. Pancakes with berries, turkey bacon, home fries, scrambled eggs, and a side of whole-wheat toast with fruit spread." She looked at me and blushed, then slowly slid the menu back to Rick.
Just as I was about to order, she interrupted. "Oh, and can I have coffee? But orange juice with my meal, please."
Rick wrote it all down and then looked at me. I felt the smile on my face as I passed him the menu. "I'll have the same."
When Rick walked away, she wouldn't meet my eyes, so I reached my hand across the table and waited for her to take it. She took a second, but slowly she brought her hand from under the table and put it in mine.
"People are going to talk," she whispered, looking out the window.
"About how much you ordered for breakfast? Definitely. Where on earth does a little thing like you put all that?"
She laughed and looked over at me, and we stared at each other in silence. She was right. This was a small town, and people were going to talk about seeing us together.
I might not have been able to figure out her last name on my own, but these people in the cafeteria knew the local politician.
Whether they liked him or not, I wasn't sure, but I knew for a fact they'd talk. I smiled as I ran my finger over her wrist. I hoped they told the whole damn town.
"Are you going to tell me why you interfered with my car?"
"I think you know why."
She looked up at me and let go of my hand as Rick set down our coffee. I picked up the mug and took a sip as I raised an eyebrow, daring her to reply.
"You could have just asked for my contact information." She poured cream and sugar in her coffee, taking a sip and raising an eyebrow just like I did.
"Would you have given it to me?" I asked, not reminding her I already had it from the first time she came into the shop.
"No." Her answer was quick, and we both knew it was the truth. She was the type of woman who needed a clear, assertive approach.
And it was obvious she wasn't getting that elsewhere.
My resolve hardened further as I thought about protecting her and ensuring her well-being.
"Stop looking at me like that," she whispered.
"Like what?"
"Like you're planning something audacious right here on the table."
I reached out, taking her hand again, and this time I brought it to my mouth, kissing her palm. "The thought crossed my mind. But I was afraid a few of the older patients might have a shock from seeing a beauty like you so openly admired. And besides, I don't flaunt what's mine."
"Yours?" The tone of her voice was irritated,
but she didn't pull her hand away from my lips.