“Because if you drop me, I’ll break.” She gives me a fragile smile.
I reach out to cup her cheek. “I won’t drop you.”
“You can’t know that for sure.” She turns away from my touch and opens the door. “Thanks for everything.”
I don’t like how that sounds, how it feels like a goodbye. I throw the car into park and join her on the sidewalk. I resist the urge to haul her back inside the car and speed away. I think the solution to her uncertainty is steadiness. If I maintain my course, she’ll see I’m not going away. That means I don’t get what I want immediately, but in the end, I’ll reap the benefits of my patience. “You can leave for now but there’ll come a point where you’ll see that I’m not the kind of guy who dates and dumps. You’ll learn to trust me. Until then, I expect to see you every day and get at least one kiss a night.” I crook my finger at her. “If you don’t give me a kiss goodnight, I’m going to set up a tent outside of The Daily Drip, and I won’t leave until I get my due.”
Her small smile turns into a much bigger grin. “I don’t think that would be good for foot traffic.”
“No. I predict my sorry ass in a tent right here on the sidewalk would deter sales by at least twenty percent.”
“We can’t have that.”
“Nope.” I tap my mouth with a finger. “Better pay up.”
“Oh, so this is a shakedown scheme. I have to pay to avoid scandals?” she teases.
“That’s right, but I’m only shaking you down. Don’t tell the other coffee shop owners. They’ll be jealous.”
She rises on her tiptoes, and at the last minute, I turn my head to the side so that her lips brush my cheek. It burns where she’s touched me.
“Payment made,” I declare, backing away.
Eden looks thoroughly confused, and it takes everything I’ve got not to sweep her into my arms and tongue her deep enough that she feels it in her pussy, but I’m going with the theory that I need to keep her wanting more. She’s unsure of me, but maybe her lust will drive her into my arms. God knows that lust is making me do crazy things like drinking coffee when it gives me the hives. I drag my sorry ass back inside my car and drive off, stopping just past the corner so I can watch her go into her home. She has her fingers over her lips like she’s savoring the taste of me, like she wants more. Same, sweetheart, same.
Chapter Twelve
Eden
I was so tempted to go home with Miles. To steal one night for myself. It took everything in me to turn him down, but I knew it wasn’t the right thing to do. I refuse to be selfish like my father always is. His needs come before anyone else’s. That shit always hurt, but over time I’ve gotten used to it. I don’t want Ryan to ever feel as though he doesn't have someone in his life that will always be there for him. Even when he wants to tell me to get lost.
I flip the lock back into place before making my way through the coffee shop and into the back where my computer is. I want to check my emails before I head up for the night.
I let out a scream, dropping my purse onto the ground when I see a man standing there. Fear takes up residence inside of me as my heart begins to race. I put my hands out in front of me and back up a few steps, trying to put as much distance between us as I can.
“Where’s Tony?” the man asks. He’s in a suit. It’s not a fancy custom one like Miles wears. Still, it’s strange to break into someplace wearing a suit. Aren't you supposed to be in all black or something?
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. I haven't heard a peep from my father since the night I’d been out at his house.
“This is his coffee shop, no?” He takes a step towards me. I fight myself to not retreat another step, worried it might make him mad. I can’t take any chances with Ryan being upstairs. I have to play this smart and try to get this man out of here.
“Yes. I run it for him.” He clicks his tongue loudly as his eyes roam up and down my body, making knots form in my stomach. My heart is pounding so hard I swear he must be able to hear it.
“Eden!” I jerk my attention toward the back door at the sound of Miles' voice.
“I’ll be back. Tell your daddy I was here.” My stomach drops more. He knows who I am. He takes off toward the front door as Miles comes running toward me.