He let out a deep breath as if the air was let out of him. Damn. “Dinner? You sure that’s all?”
Kassie quickly skated off the ice. Without turning her attention to him or his question, she put her gear away and fixed her ponytail. “No. I do want one more thing.”
Luc grinned and tossed his own gear into his duffel bag. Yes, this is more like it. Leaning against the wall, he folded his arms across his chest in his best macho stance that made the ladies swoon. “And what’s that?”
Kassie was still turned away from him, taking off her pads and skates. She slid on her shoes before looking up to meet his stare. “Coffee.”
“Coffee?” What the hell? Coffee?
“Coffee. There’s a coffee shop down the street. Meet me there in fifteen minutes and buy me a coffee.”
Luc wasn’t thrilled with her prize. She was playing him. He had so much more to offer than coffee and dinner. “Why not just get it right here at the café? They sell coffee.” His tone was rough, he didn’t mean to sound disappointed, but he was.
“Nah. I like the shop down the street.” She grabbed her purse and tossed the strap over her shoulder. “Meet you there in fifteen? Grab us a table out in the courtyard.”
Before he could complain or say much more, she flashed him the cutest smile and skipped out of the rink.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kassie
Driving up the road past the coffee shop, Kassie felt her stomach growl. She was so hungry. Dinner with Luc sounded like a great idea to her stomach and her body—especially after they got tangled up in the corner together. She had almost kissed him.
Everything in her had screamed to kiss him.
That’s exactly why she wouldn’t be having dinner with him tonight. She’d collect another night, one where she wasn’t so concerned that she wouldn’t be able to control herself around him. And tonight was not that night.
He was so damn cute out there on the ice, flirting and strutting like he was hot stuff. Because he was, and he knew it. There was no question in her mind that he knew she would swoon when he smirked, or that she’d melt when his hard body was pressed against hers.
Another loud rumble from her stomach brought her mind back from the sexy image of Luc, and what she might’ve let happen. A taco place caught her eye. Perfect. Making a pit-stop, she picked up an order of four tacos and tortilla chips.
Her cell phone chimed with a text message.
Luc: I’m not being stood up, am I?
She’d thrown the poor boy for a loop by suggesting dinner as her winning prize, then not wanting to collect today. She had every intention of going today, seeing as how she was hungry before they even started to skate. Now she was sitting here buying tacos, while he was waiting for her at the coffee shop. But her stomach did warm at the thought of him worrying about her standing him up.
Kassie: No way! I’m about two minutes away. See you in a sec.
Luc: Want me to order something for you?
Kassie: Sure. I’ll take a Grande Cascara Latte.
Luc: Is that even a thing?
Kassie: They’ll know what you want. Thanks.
She tucked her cell phone away in her purse and pulled out of the parking lot. The aroma of the tacos made her belly growl once more, and she contemplated eating one right now. But with how wound up Luc had her, she didn’t feel coordinated enough to eat and drive. Not safely, anyway.
Kassie turned into the strip mall that housed the coffee shop, and immediately noticed Luc sitting in the courtyard waiting for her. Two coffees sat in front of him. She parked close and grabbed her food. She took a deep breath, and fixed her ponytail before joining Luc.
“Thanks for ordering my coffee.”
“No problem. I owed you, remember?” Luc smirked playfully.
She liked when he smiled. It wasn’t as innocent as just a smile though. It was always more of a smirk, as if there was something playful or even devilish behind it. And part of her couldn’t wait to see what that was all about.
“I never heard of that drink before.”
“No? Huh. I drink it all the time. It’s just coffee, but it has a hint of maple or brown sugar flavor.”
“Yeah, when I decide to get a little crazy, I get a Café Mocha. Coffee and chocolate. Simple.” Luc swirled his coffee, then took a sip. “Not that Cascara might not be good; it’s just not for me.”
“Oh, trust me, I like a good Mocha, too. It’s chocolate—who wouldn’t like it?” Kassie couldn’t contain the laugh that followed. She hadn’t even said anything funny, and neither had he. Damn nervous laughter.
She took a drink of her coffee and ran her tongue over her bottom lip, catching a small drip of coffee that tried to escape. Moving her glance to Luc, she was going to ask him if he wanted a taco, but he was fixated on her mouth, and that made her insides turn to jelly.
She knew that the almost kiss back at the rink would haunt her. Maybe she should’ve given in; maybe she should’ve just kissed him. But if she had, maybe she would want more? His deep, dark eyes were staring at her with that same intensity. She had the feeling that the little decorative metal table between them was the only thing stopping him from kissing her right now.
Without a word, Luc reached over and gently swiped his thumb over her bottom lip. The roughness of his finger sent chills up her spine, and the unexpected action sent chills through the rest of her.
Nonchalantly, Luc half shrugged. “Coffee… on your lip.”
Her heart thudded in her chest, and she wanted nothing more than to leave with him. And if she didn’t get home till tomorrow morning, then so be it. Down girl. After a moment of sitting there, staring into those brown eyes, she quickly turned her attention to her bag of food, needing something to ground her and keep her from acting like a complete moron.
“Tacos?” he asked. Luc pulled at the bag, peering inside.
She shrugged. “Yeah, I was hungry.” She grabbed a taco and unwrapped it. The spicy smell was enticing, and her mouth watered. The taco crunched as she took a bite. “Mmm.”
“Hungry? But I owe you dinner. Right?” The look of confusion on his face was amusing. “When are you planning on collecting?”
She didn’t know. Kassie hadn’t thought any of this through. Why had she asked for him to buy her dinner? She wiped a piece of lettuce off her face. “Yeah… I kind of just wanted tacos today. Here—have one. There are two for each of us, and tortilla chips. Help yourself.”
Luc pushed the bag towards her. “Nah, I don’t really like tacos. But thanks.”
His words stopped her from taking another bite of her taco. She stared at him. “You don’t you like tacos?”
Luc shook his head and shrugged a little like it was no big deal. “Nope.”
“What? I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who didn’t like tacos. Weird.”
“Well, here I am. Live and in person.” Luc sat back in his chair, grinning like a Cheshire cat, and gestured towards himself.
She tossed the last bit of taco into her mouth, well aware that his eyes were on her now, and she finished the bite before speaking. “You’re just going to sit there and watch me eat?”