I watch her throat move and bring her hand up to mine so I can kiss her fingers. I’m acting purely on instinct now. I’m not even playing a game. I should be, but I’m not. One finger at a time, I lay my lips on them. Her barely audible gasps are music to my ears. My damned jeans are trying to kill me again but it’s worth it. I didn’t even know just kissing someone’s fingers could be a turn on but I think it’s affecting her just as much as it is me.
Something changes. She catches sight of something behind me—the flowers perhaps—and her expression shutters. Tugging her hand from mine, she stares at her sandwich. “You don’t want to get involved with me. I really appreciate your help but I’m just not looking to date.”
Damn it. I lost my focus and now I’m losing my chance with her again. I’ve got to stop acting so rashly. That’s not me at all. Always in control. That’s how I like to be. I’ve seen how being out of control can fuck up your life. My dad did that. And took the rest of us down with him. No way in hell am I going down that road.
I flick on a grin. “Jessie, give me one chance. That’s all I’m asking. I’ll be the perfect gentleman I swear.”
Her expression is pained when she lifts her head. I can practically see the war going on inside her. Poor girl. I’m not the only one suffering an insane attraction. Problem is she’s the only one with genuine intentions.
“One date,” I murmur as I give in to temptation and skim a finger across one bare shoulder. “What’s the worst that can happen?”
She laughs unexpectedly and gives me a wry smile. “Many things, I suspect.”
I chuckle. She’s probably right.
Chapter Three
Jess
My head is still fuzzy by the time I catch the bus to work. I’m not sure if that’s the after-effects of the migraine or a symptom of having been in Hunter’s company for most of the afternoon. I rest my head against the window and watch the lights go by. Cyclists weave dangerously close to the bus and horns beep, rattling my fragile head.
I don’t know how he does it. Every time I think I’ve got my defences in place, he smashes through them. Somehow I managed not to commit to a date with him but now my phone burns a hole in my pocket because I’m aware his number is there. The migraine brought me low and broke my restraint but I can’t let that happen again.
I get off the bus and force my way through the people on the pavement. Slipping around the back of Murphy’s, I pause before knocking to be let in. I smooth my palms down my jeans and straighten my jacket. Hunter has ruffled me. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed the company of... well, anyone really. I had friends once but when my asshole ex, Pete, found out about my past and told everyone, that was it. No one wanted anything to do with me. Heat flares in my cheeks. I shake my head and knock on the door.
After a few moments the lock clicks and Eddie thrusts his head out. With salt and pepper hair, he’s easily old enough to be my dad but he keeps himself in shape and is attractive for his age. Thankfully his attentions have only even seemed fatherly. He likes young girls—my age usually—but maybe I’m too reserved for him.
“Jess.” He grins. “Come in.”
He ushers me in and I slip off my jacket and hang it in the staffroom. I glance around. “Where is everyone?”
“Jo called in sick and Seb isn’t in until seven.”
“What about Katy?”
Eddie shrugs. “The rota got messed up I think. She’s not in until later too.”
I scowl. We’re at our busiest on a Saturday and it’s the first I’ve heard of the rota being messed up. Murphy’s runs pretty smoothly. Eddie is normally on the ball.
“Just the two of us for a bit,” Eddie says with a chuckle.
I let my frown deepen. I really don’t feel up to dealing with a lot of customers on my own. “We’ll never manage.”
“Don’t worry, darling, I’ll come out from behind the bar when needs be.”
I shake my head and follow him out to the bar. “Yeah right.” A flash of pink on the bar catches my eye and I freeze. “How did those get there?” My voice is tight.
“Oh, the flowers?”
“Yes, Eddie, the flowers.”
“They were delivered earlier.” Eddie steps around behind the bar and begins nonchalantly wiping down the surface.
“For you?” I ask hopefully, even though they’re exactly the same roses that were sent to my place this morning.
“I don’t think anyone has ever given me flowers. Why don’t you have a look at the note?”
Heart thudding, I approach the roses, my footsteps heavy. Hunter had made me forget those other flowers. Maybe it was a mistake but something plays in the back of mind, telling me they were very deliberately sent to me with the cryptic message. Someone wants me. But why?
Am I paranoid?
I peer at Eddie who’s watching closely and smile weakly. Can he see my nervousness? The sweet fragrance turns my stomach as I reach for the note stuffed in between the blooms. It’s a pink envelope this time with my name on it. Has someone figured it out? I shake my head. No, no way. I left that world far behind when I quit my job, moved to London and changed my appearance.
Gulping, I peel it open and draw out the folded letter. The paper is thick and expensive. Proper writing paper. Someone’s put thought into it. Written in careful handwriting, the words make me shake.