Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
“Lance.” My eyes popped open at the sound of my name and my cheeks flushed when I realized I was being obvious with my enjoyment of his touch. Thankfully, the man wasn’t looking at me; his focus was on the name badge on my chest. “I like that name; it’s very powerful.” He looked up at me again and smiled as his hand left my face to extend. “I’m Hunter.”
“That’s powerful too,” I replied as I shook his hand. Everything about him was manly; his name, his form, his intense gaze, and even his grip was strong, but not overwhelming.
“This is my friend, Talon,” Hunter said as he nodded his head toward the big guy sitting next to him. Talon was manly and handsome as well, but for some reason, he didn’t give me a groin tingle.
Talon nodded his head in greeting and added, “And this is my gorgeous mate, Brandon.” He leaned over and kissed the smaller man’s puffy hair, and I sighed at the pride in his voice. I longed my whole life for someone to be proud of me; proud to be with me.
No, that’s only gotten me into trouble. I’m better off by myself. It was at that moment I realized I was still holding onto Hunter’s hand, so I dropped it quickly. He rubbed his fingers together as if he missed the feeling, and I gave my attention to Brandon to distract myself.
“Mate?” I asked curiously. I’d never heard the term except from a couple of customers visiting the area from England, but they were describing a friend. Talon and Brandon certainly looked more than friendly.
“Mate, partner, husband,” Brandon answered with a shrug. “They’re one in the same. They all mean that I’m his.”
“And thank fuck for that,” Talon replied with a slight growl in his voice before leaning in and taking Brandon’s lips in a deep kiss.
The moment was both heart-melting and jealousy-inducing, so I cleared my throat and asked, “What can I get you guys?”
Hunter propped his elbows on the countertop and placed his chin in both hands, giving me a dazzling smile. “I want to try whatever you like.”
“Hmm, well, I usually eat the same thing every day; a caramel frappe and a glazed donut, but that might be too much sugar for you.” He obviously took great care of his body and probably chose more nutritious foods.
Hunter gave me an obvious wink when he answered, “Not at all. I love sweet things.”
My cheeks flushed again. This guy was affecting me in a way that I’d trained myself for years not to feel. I quickly darted my eyes to Talon and Brandon, who were thankfully coming up for air. “What about you two?”
“Hmm?” Brandon asked, looking blissed out. Talon chuckled and the young man’s eyes came back into focus. “Oh, right! I’ll take an apple cider and a blueberry muffin please.”
“I’ll have the same,” Talon smiled, and I turned my back to them quickly without another look at Hunter.
While I prepared their drinks, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I was both worried and hopeful that a certain sexy guy had hopped the counter, but I sighed with relief and disappointment when I found Josie at my side.
“I’m going to head out.” Her normally pale face was flushed and she looked tired. “The rush is over and my legs are starting to ache. Will you be okay by yourself?”
“Of course.” After the rush of people getting their drinks on their way to work, things slowed down in the cafe. Even if it didn’t, I wanted Josie to rest, so I would deal with it. “Take it easy. See you tomorrow?”
“Lord willing, I’ll be here,” she chuckled, patting my back before hobbling away.
I finished Hunter’s drink with a generous helping of whipped cream and caramel syrup (just the way I liked it) and served the trio. Brandon and Talon tore into their food quickly, but Hunter just stared at me with a twinkle in his eye.
“I love watching you work,” he said in a way that was flattering but also a little creepy. “How long have you been here?”
I tipped my head back and forth as I thought. “Oh, I guess a little over four years now.”
He shook his head and whispered, “All that time, you were so close.”
I pretended not to hear him. I should have walked away and minded my own business, but I was drawn to keep talking to the handsome man, so I asked, “Do you live nearby?” I had never seen him in this place; I surely would have remembered.
“Not too far from here. I live near Locust Falls.”
“That area is beautiful,” I smiled. “Well, what I’ve seen of it anyway. I like to hike in the forest, but most of it is cordoned off from the public.” As soon as I said it, I felt like an idiot. He lived there, so he was bound to know that.