his smile on Sadie. “You sure know how to woo a man. I would love that. And no room in that cup. I like my drinks all natural.”
Ian snapped the plastic lid on and set it down directly in front of Blue Eyes. “There you go. Try it out first to make sure you like it.”
Sadie knew this was the part Ian loved the most. His obsession with finding the perfect bean, making the perfect blend was almost scary. But when Blue Eyes lifted the cup to his lips and took a sip, she could only describe his expression as orgasmic.
“That is the best coffee I’ve ever had. In my life.”
“Really?” Ian cleared his throat and leaned a hip against the counter. “I mean, thanks. I hope you’ll consider coming back again. Maybe spread the word.”
“If every cup is like this, you bet I will. How much do I owe you?” Blue Eyes opened up his suit jacket and started rummaging through his pockets. The slate-gray dress shirt pulled tight against his firm chest, leaving little to the imagination.
When Ian didn’t answer immediately, his gaze drawn to the other man’s body, Sadie stepped in. “That’s a dollar ninety-two.”
Blue Eyes gave her a five and grinned. “Keep the change.” He gave Ian one final wink before turning to head out the door.
“Come back soon,” Ian finally called out as the man was about to leave.
“I plan on it, Ian.” Blue Eyes held up his cup in salute and left as quickly as he arrived.
Before she realized what Ian was doing, her brother frantically pulled off the receipt still hanging from the register.
“Customer one-six-four-five. Fuck, I think I’m in love.”
Sadie poked him in the ribs. “That didn’t take long.”
“He knew my name.”
“He read your nametag.”
“Don’t give me a hard time, Sadie Claus.”
“Why the hell not? You keep calling me that stupid name. I need to get some payback.”
Ian leaned in and bumped her shoulder. “Paul’s coming.”
Paul pushed his way through the door, a lopsided smirk on his face and a brown bag under his arm. “Hey, hi, hello, Sadie. I’m not too late, am I?”
Blue Eyes had been gorgeous and his smile infectious. But even he hadn’t made her stomach flip the way Paul could.
“Paul, hi. No it’s fine. We were about to close up. Come on back and I’ll show you what I have.”
She didn’t wait to see if Ian would do or say anything. Turning around, she moved to the kitchen door and prayed Paul would be behind her. Thankfully, the solid presence of his body was beside her within a matter of seconds. It was strange how the touch of his hand to her hip made her chest tighten in a way no other man’s ever did.
“I want you to know that things aren’t in their finished state. I’ve spent all day working on her, getting her close to what you asked for, and I hope you’ll be happy with the result.”
The warm hand on her hip moved to her forearm. She stopped in her tracks and looked up into Paul’s brown eyes.
“Sadie?”
“Yes?”
“Sit down.”
Without thinking, she did as he asked, only afterward realizing what she’d done. “Okay, I’m sitting.”
He didn’t let go of her arm, even as he took the stool across from her. “There’s nothing to be nervous about. I’m sure everything is amazing.”
“I’m not nervous.” Liar, liar, pants on fire . She couldn’t remember being this strung out in her entire life. Unfortunately, it had nothing to do with the cake and everything to do with her growing affection for a good friend.
She was alone with Paul for the first time since the club.
What are your fantasies, Sadie?
The urge to cover her breasts nearly had her arms twitching. But that would have meant breaking the contact between them, something she wasn’t willing to do. Not with Paul smelling like musk and coffee as he leaned close to squeeze her forearm. He was wearing a dress shirt and pants, but if he’d had on a jacket, it had long been discarded. The top two buttons of his shirt were open,