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  I told her the reasons Jared had given me for his deceitfulness and she listened attentively, nodding and giving me understanding looks throughout. When I was finished she pulled me in for a hug. I rested my head on her shoulder and heard her let out a small sigh. “Oh Layla. You really are crazy.” I pulled away and stared at her in total bewilderment. Had she not been listening? Taking a small rag from her apron she soaked it in the basin of cold water before going to work on my makeup smeared, red and blotchy face. Shaking her head at me again, she tutted. “Layla, Layla, Layla. He made a mistake. He’s a guy. They do that shit all the time. Hell we women are no better. Think of it this way. If you forgive him for this, when you mess up you’ll have leverage. But bottom line here sweetie, you like him, he likes you, just start fresh and give him a chance. What have you really got to lose?”

  She had a valid point. I did like Jared. I liked him a lot and the thought of not feeling his arms around me, never feeling his lips on mine or the thrill of pleasure that ran through me when he was around was frightening. But if there was even a slight chance that I would forgive him, he was going to have to work much harder than an apology in the back room of the coffee shop. Stepping back, she gave me a small smile. “There, all cleaned up. Now get your ass back out there and show that prick that he’s not getting the upper hand. Flaunt that sexy little ass of yours right in his face. Make him suffer for his stupid behavior.”

  Winking at me she turned and walked out, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I looked at myself in the mirror. Kate had cleared me up so well you couldn’t see a trace of the tears that were running down my cheeks just moments before. Inhaling deeply, I straightened my clothes and walked back out into the shop.

  When I entered the shop floor, I spotted him sitting at a table opposite the counter with Lorraine. They appeared to be going through the receipts that she had collected at the end of every shift. I was acutely aware of his eyes on me as I made my way past his chair to the counter. Kate was watching me as I approached and gave me a knowing smile. Standing behind the counter I tried desperately not to look at him but it was almost impossible. His suit jacket was hanging off the back of the chair and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He’d loosened his tie and was leaning back with his hands behind his head. There was something hypnotic about a man in a suit. It heated my blood and called to me deep inside. He glanced over at me and a shock of electricity hit me as our eyes met. Damn he’d caught me. Turning to Lorraine he said something I couldn’t quite hear. She waved me over. “Layla dear could you come here a moment?” Shit, now he’d use Lorraine to win me over. Knowing I couldn’t avoid him this time I took a calming breath and made my way over to the table.

  I stood there rigidly as Lorraine smiled sweetly at me and leaned forward across the table. “Would you be so kind and bring us some coffee dear. I’ll have my usual and whatever Jared would like. Thank you sweetie.” Rolling my eyes, I turned to face him. A playful grin was spreading across his face and it irked me. I tapped my foot impatiently and glared at him. He was enjoying this far too much. “I’m sure you can make the right choice for me Layla. I have faith in your judgment of knowing exactly what I want.” It was oozing with sexual suggestion. I was beginning to feel my cheeks warm and he was certainly enjoying watching me squirm. Shooting him an evil glare, I turned on my heel and walked back to the counter, cursing him under my breath. Jackass.

  Kate eyed me as I stepped around the partition. “What was that about?”

  Grabbing two cups from beside her I rolled my eyes. “Asshole thinks he can get around me. They want coffee and he’s using it as an opportunity to manipulate my feelings and make sexual innuendos. Again.”

  Kate snickered and handed me a teaspoon. “Well I’d say he’s having some effect on you already. Your face is as red a stop sign. What the hell did he say?”

  I told her about his “faith in your judgment and knowing what I want” comment. She stifled a laugh and seeing my irritated expression, used her hand to gesture zipping her lips.

  I made Lorraine her usual cappuccino and something for Jared that I felt was appropriate. Taking them over, I smirked to myself. Two could play this game. Jared was watching me attentively as I approached the table. “One cappuccino with extra foam for you Lorraine. And for you Jared, a chilled Frappuccino.” Lorraine thanked me before taking her coffee and flicking through a file on the table. Jared was staring at me with a mischievous smirk lingering across his lips.

  “And what made you choose the Frappuccino for me Layla?” I smiled pleasantly and put on the best acting performance of my life. “Well Mr. Garrett, I thought the refreshing iciness would help cool you off. Plus it’s a favorite of mine. It’s simple, uncomplicated and most importantly it’s honest.” Bam! How do you like that Mr. Garrett? I mentally hugged myself for my sheer brilliance. Jared raised an eyebrow at me.

  “Touché Miss Jennings.”

  Walking away, I grinned with satisfaction.

  Round one to Layla Jennings.

  Chapter 13

  Crazy

  Following through with my threat to Jared, I told Kate I would stay and do her late shift, allowing her to get an early night. She thanked me profusely and gave me a tight hug, whispering a warning in my ear. “Don’t take any of his shit Layla.” She nodded at Jared and winked at me before grabbing her things and leaving.

  The shop was quiet, the usual evening rush was over and all that was left was to clean the machines and the shop floor. I glanced over at Lorraine and Jared. They’d spent the best part of the afternoon pouring over the accounts. Lifting her glasses off of her face Lorraine rubbed her eyes and yawned. Jared rested his hand caringly over hers and smiled. “You look beat Rainy. We’re pretty much done here, why don’t you take off and I’ll lock up?” Oh shit. Oh shit. I was going to be alone with him in the shop. I prayed that she would decline, but hugging him tightly she thanked him and gathered her things. Jared’s eyes darted over to me standing behind the counter. I looked away, pretending to busy myself with arranging the cups in size order. This was not good. Without anyone at the shop to act as a buffer I would have to face him and I wasn’t sure how long I could hold my reserve.

  * * *

  Somehow, I managed to avoid him like the plague for the rest of my shift. I’d spent so much time cleaning the coffee machine; it was now gleaming like a NASA space shuttle inside and out. He hadn’t tried to speak with me or even approach me since Lorraine left. Maybe he’d decided I wasn’t worth the effort? The thought irked me; after all, he was the one who had been dishonest. The final customers were a couple of teenage girls who had been studying for the past three hours. Pulling down the blinds Jared informed them that we were closing and after shooting him a dreamy smile, they left the shop and he locked the doors behind them. We were alone. The air between us was thick with things that needed to be said but neither of us breathed a word.

  I busied myself with cleaning the counter top as he gathered up all his books and papers from the table he and Lorraine had been occupying. I could feel that he was watching me and I desperately tried to avoid the temptation to look at him. His cell phone rang and with an exasperated sigh he answered. His face turned dark and I could see that whatever the call was about, it was making him angry. Breezing past me he walked into the office and slammed the door behind him. The loud bang had made me flinch but I breathed a sigh of relief. What was going on? The call in the car, his irate demeanor he adopted as he answered that call. I was baffled but grateful for the distraction as it meant I could finally finish cleaning the shop and get the hell out.

  Reaching underneath the counter I turned up the stereo and the speakers began pumping music into the empty room. Kate’s usual classic rock filled the shop with electric guitar and heavy bass lines. Grabbing my rag and some cleaning fluid, I made my way around the floor wiping tables and picking up empty cups. Swaying to the music I lost myself in my task and tried to forget about the smoldering sex god who was current
ly barricading himself in the office. I was just leaning over one of the corner tables when I quickly became aware of his presence in the room. The air was buzzing with the tension that was building between us whenever we were together. It was electric. I tried to steady my breathing not wanting him to know how his mere presence in the room affected me.

  I continued cleaning, hoping and praying he would turn and go back into the office, but he didn’t. Grabbing the empty cups from the table I walked over and placed them on the counter. Jared was standing against the far wall behind it. His hands were gripping onto the edge and his legs were crossed at the ankles. I had to remind myself not to stare but he was so tempting. His tie was gone, leaving his shirt unbuttoned a fraction so that I could see a little of his hard muscular chest. I could feel that familiar fire simmering inside my belly. If he tried to touch me at that point I feared I’d ignite into a blaze of lust and passion. But he didn’t. He just stood there watching me clean. As I reached the last table, a familiar song played loud and clear through the speakers: ‘Crazy’ by Aerosmith. It was one of my favorites and I’d usually be swaying my ass around to it by now but I wasn’t in the mood to dance.

  I felt him before I heard him, he was right behind me. My body stood to attention and stiffened. My breathing quickened, my heart thundered inside my chest and my face began to heat. His breath was on my neck as he pressed his mouth to my ear. He was singing the lyrics in his deep and smooth voice and it drove me wild. His hands slid down my waist to my hips, gripping them tightly as he began to sway them against his own.

  My legs turned to Jell-O and every nerve ending on my body was acutely aware of his touch. Letting my head fall back against his chest I closed my eyes, taking pleasure in the sensual sound of his voice. His scent engorged my senses. He smelled delicious; like soap and sex, sheet clenching, pillow biting sex and Jared. His hands tightened around my waist as he trailed tender kisses down my neck. I ran my own hands through his thick hair as his soft warm lips caressing my skin. The sexual tension was building rapidly between us like a train gaining momentum.

  Spinning me around to face him, he cupped my face with his hands and pressed his lips to mine with an urgent hunger. I was losing control of my senses as lust and need took me over. My hands made light work of his shirt buttons as I quickly tugged and ripped them apart before pulling it down his strong arms. Momentarily releasing me, he dragged the sleeves from his wrists and tossed the shirt aside. His eyes were dark and hooded, his arousal obvious as his erection pressed against my hip. Grabbing the waist of his slacks, I yanked him to me while his fingers hurriedly untied my apron. He kissed me hard, thrusting his tongue into my welcoming mouth. Overcome with carnal hunger for him, I bit down on his lip and he let out a low and primitive groan. “Oh Layla I swear I’m going to make it all up to you. I’m going to make it up to you right now.” Grasping my behind, he picked me up and I wrapped my legs securely around his waist. Holding onto my aching body with his strong and powerful arms he carried me to the leather sofa and sank onto the seat. I sat straddling him and began running my hands eagerly over his bare chest. It was perfectly sculpted as if it were carved by an exceptionally skilled artist. The lines and contours ran deep and his caramel colored skin looked good enough to eat. The deep V that defined his torso made me lick my lips in anticipation of what was currently being confined beneath his zipper.

  His hands tugged at the bottom of my work tee and he slipped it easily over my head revealing my simple black lace bra. He stared at me for a moment, his eyes drinking me in as he reached his skillful fingers behind me and expertly unhooked my bra. Peeling it from my body his hands moved teasingly over my breasts, cupping, massaging and caressing them; making me moan with pleasure. An aching throbbed between my legs as I arched my back and his hand slid around to support me, gliding down the full length of my spine. Leaning forward, his mouth found my breast and I gasped as he gently nibbled on my hard, sensitive nipple before rolling his tongue around and over to soothe the hurt his teeth had caused.

  I drew myself up to face him and fumbled for his zipper, I could feel his hard length against my thigh begging to be released. He thrust his hips upwards to allow me to pull down his pants and shorts. Springing free I caught hold of him and moved my hand up and down the shaft of his solid, throbbing cock. Every inch of him was hard and delightfully rigid. He gasped and rolled my skirt up, creasing it as it gathered around my hips. Gliding his hands over my bare thighs, he kissed me deeper with a lascivious need. “I want you so much. I ache for you.”

  The feeling was mutual.

  Tugging my panties aside with one hand he reached into his pocket with the other and produced a foil packet. Taking it from him I ripped it open impatiently with my teeth. Gripping him firmly, I continued to stroke my hand up and down his hard length before carefully sliding the condom over him. Gazing into his eyes, I held on tightly to the back of the sofa with both hands as I lowered myself onto him slowly. His head fell back as his lips parted to make a perfect O. With his hands grasping my hips tightly, I began to slide up and down, enjoying every last inch of him bit by bit as he filled me. I could feel his tip stroking a sensitive spot inside me, causing ripples of lip biting, orgasmic pleasure to flow through me.

  Skimming his fingers teasingly from my hips to my breasts, his eyes fixed on mine; penetrating even deeper than where we were currently connected in erotic harmony. I moaned softly, reeling in the intensity of my orgasm as it drew tantalizingly closer. Gripping the sofa even tighter I began to increase my speed. Jared slid his hands around to my back and pressed me to his chest so close I could feel his hot breath on my neck as he gasped and panted for breath.

  “Come on Layla. Give it to me. I want it badly. Come for me baby.” Pressing his mouth firmly to mine, he grazed my lips with his own and let out a loud moan. It was the push I needed. My breath quickened and my heart pounded like a drum inside my chest as my orgasm surged through me like electricity through a wire. Panting, I was unraveling in his arms as the waves of pleasure continued to pulse and ripple inside me. I could feel my muscles tightening around him as I continued to move.

  Moaning through clenched teeth and gasping, he gripped my thighs firmly as he found his release. “Oh, Layla.”

  Stilling, I buried my face in his neck, inhaling his enchanting scent as he held me tightly to him. His hand caressed my hair gently as we both struggled to calm our ragged breathing. “Oh Layla. What on earth are you doing to me?”

  Placing my mouth next to his ear I breathed hard. “I imagine the exact same thing you do to me Jared. You drive me crazy.” Turning his head to face me he gazed into my eyes. Raising his hand, he swept a strand of hair from my face and placed it behind my ear. Cupping my face in his hands he pulled me in for a deep, lingering kiss. He was casting a spell over me and I was powerless to stop it. I wasn’t sure I even wanted to. He was intoxicating and I was drunk with desire for him.

  Lying on the sofa with one hand behind his head, Jared stroked my hair as my head rested against his firm muscular chest. Teasing my fingers lightly over his perfectly sculpted abs I sighed with pure satisfaction.

  “Does this mean I’m forgiven?”

  Raising my head I rested my chin on his chest.

  “I wouldn’t say I forgive you, but I’m willing to let it go. Just don’t ever lie to me again Jared. I won’t allow a man to run around on me again. I learned my lesson the first time.” He gazed at me and ran his thumb over my cheek.

  “I would never knowingly cause you emotional pain Layla. If you never believe anything else I say, you must believe that.” I smiled at him before lifting my face to his and planting a chaste kiss on his luscious lips. Sighing, he looked around the room and chuckled. “We’d better find our clothes and fix this place up for tomorrow, otherwise, Lorraine’s gonna have my balls. And I’m rather attached to them.”

  Smiling, I sat up and scanned the room. Our clothes were scattered across the shop floor and the sofa was definitely going
to need a good cleaning. Jared got to his feet and began gathering our discarded garments. Tossing me my bra and tee he grinned. “Get dressed my lady. I have something I want to show you before I take you back to my place and feed you.” With that grin I would let him take me anywhere.

  Chapter 14

  All That Glitters Is White Gold

  We’d dressed quickly and cleaned the shop, making sure to give the couch some extra attention. The two of us were grinning like idiots and every opportunity he got, Jared pulled me to him for another heart stopping kiss. Once everything was sparkling and suitably hygienic again, he ushered me out of the shop, locking the door behind us. The streets were busy with people making their way home. Shops were closing their shutters and fast food vendors were packing up too. I looked up at Jared as he pressed his hand against the small of my back, leading me across the street to a parking lot. I could have stared at him for hours. His eyes were truly hypnotic. The deep blue reminded me of the ocean at night as it glistened in the moonlight. A satisfied sigh escaped my lips and he raised an eyebrow at me before smiling and kissing the top of my head.

  Opening the car door he held my hand as I slid into my seat before running around to his side and practically jumping into his own seat. His expression reminded me of a child on Christmas morning. I giggled at him as he started the engine. Glancing over at me his eyebrows bounced up and down on his forehead. “Ready my lady?”

  Biting on my bottom lip, I smiled seductively. Leaning forward, I let the tip of my nose just touch his so that our lips were mere inches apart. He was breathing hard as his eyes watched my lips with intense attention. “When it comes to you Jared, I’m always ready.”