But it wasn’t the same. Things were changing. It wasn’t enough anymore. And Shane found himself looking. For what, he wasn’t sure. Just... something.
He stole a glance down, catching the illusion of sunshine and moonlight as the old-fashioned streetlamps cast their light upon her golden hair. The sweet, subtle scent of lilies and orchids drifted up to him, wrapping around him like a soft breeze. He filled his lungs with it. Such a light fragrance. Clean. Simple. Pure. Feminine.
Something.
She was being especially cautious now, paying particular attention to where she was walking. Shane bit back a smile. He was being particularly attentive as well. If she stumbled or tripped again, he would catch her. He almost wished she would. It would give him an excuse to touch her again.
The lights of the all-night campus coffee shop glowed welcomingly. Shane stepped forward to open the door for her, then extended his hand, indicating that she should order first. His curiosity was roused, and this little exercise would provide a chance to study her, to learn a little more about her.
He had a natural gift for “reading” people, for sensing their underlying natures. He could tell when someone was lying, or when they were nervous. It was an ability that had served him well over the years, but one that he sometimes wished he didn’t have. Once in a while, it would have been nice to simply be able to take people at face value, and not know what lie beneath the surface.
The woman with him was slightly anxious, but it was a ‘good’ anxiety, one based on anticipation and, possibly, incredulity, as opposed to the kind someone felt if they were afraid or hiding something. Nor was it the blatant lusty admiration he often picked up from some of the younger coeds, the type that had him turning on his heel and slipping out of the back of the classroom earlier, only to return for his sleeping beauty once the lingerers had left.
Oh, she was interested. The way her cheeks flushed that lovely pink and her pupils dilated every time she looked at him were clear tells. But it was the subtlety of it that made all the difference.
This woman was not the type to throw herself at a man or take the initiative.
He took it as an encouraging sign. She had a sense of humor. Her smile lit him up from the inside out. She smelled like flowers, and had what he could only describe as a refreshingly honest interest in him and his company.
His initial analysis was promising indeed.
Personal desire aside, this was also an exercise in the study of human nature. Would she defer to him or order for herself? Would she select something she actually wanted, or would she be more worried about what he might think?
“Medium hazelnut, cream and sugar, and, um, let me see... how about one of those cream-filled donuts with the chocolate icing, please.” Shane smiled broadly, then doubled her order. She grinned right back at him.
By the time she dug down into the front pocket of her blue jeans, Shane had already paid.
He picked up the tray and guided her back to the most private booth in the place. The on-campus café wasn’t overly crowded at this time of night, but there were a few tables occupied.
“Thank you,” she said the moment they sat down. “You didn’t have to pay.”
Shane shrugged, an easy lift of his shoulders. “It’s the least I can do,” he said. “I’m the one who put you to sleep.”
She flushed, a very pretty shade of rose that had him wondering just how far down that color extended.
“I’m just glad you were kind enough to wake me,” she said, taking a sip of her coffee. “I can imagine waking up at midnight with the wood grain of the desk ingrained in my cheek and being locked in for the night.”
Shane laughed again. “Now there’s a visual. I’m glad I could help.”
While Lacie prepared her coffee (she added two creamers and two sugars, he noted), Shane did a quick scan of the room. It was habit, one that came from years of special forces work, first for the government, then with his family’s “non-existent” team. Within seconds the images were locked in his brain. He knew every exit and entry point, the complete layout of the building, and would be able to describe every other occupant in excruciating detail.
Turning his focus back to the woman across from him, he took a sip of his coffee. “I seem to be at a bit of a disadvantage here. I don’t know your name.”
“Lacie,” she said, extending her hand over the table. “Lacie McCain.”
“It’s a pleasure, Lacie McCain,” he said sincerely as he took her hand. He briefly considered bringing it up to his lips, but he refrained, choosing instead to let the soft weight of her hand rest in his, pleasantly warm, firm.