making you blush.” He winks at me. “But your mama and dad will think it’s odd if you flush every time I get near you.”
He’s right. Dammit . I need to seem like I’m used to casual touches. I try to breathe and relax into his warmth, but it’s like trying to nonchalantly walk a tightrope. It’s just not possible to do. All I can feel is Jake’s hand in mine, and the soft stroke of his fingers on the back of my free hand. He’s touched me like this before; in another lifetime, we used to cuddle from time to time while we watched movies. But this feels different, because we’re different.
I breathe out, a slow exhalation that doesn’t make me feel any less jittery. “Okay. It’s just been a little while since anyone…” Right now, I want to choke myself if only to put an end to my misery. “It’s been a few months since I broke up with my last boyfriend.” Please get it, Coop. Don’t make me spell it out.
He doesn’t say anything, but his eyebrows rise and he moves his fingers to my arm, dancing them along my skin. When I don’t pull away, his hand tightens in mine. I hope my palms aren’t sweating right now, but it’ll be a miracle if they aren’t.
“So you can…you know.” Words. There are words I should be saying, but I can’t seem to find ones that make sense . “Touch me I mean.”
Finally, Jake focuses on me, but I almost wish he hadn’t, because being the sole object of his gaze is enough to fluster me.
“I plan to, sweetheart.” He grins, showing me his even, white teeth. They’re perfect, except for one small chip in his front tooth. “After all, it’s not every day I get this chance.” He leans closer to me. “You can touch me too, Claire.” He’s so totally in my space that I can barely breathe.
“I can?” By some miracle, my voice remains even. Apparently there is a God.
“Oh yes.” Jake guides my free hand to his shoulder. I can feel his shirt under my skin, and my entire world narrows to the muscle in his arm that jumps when I move my fingers to his bicep. “In fact, I encourage it. For practice and research.”
“Research, hmm?” Tentatively, I trail my fingers down his arm. When I hear a breath leave him in a whoosh, I lay my free hand on his thigh, meeting his hooded gaze. I know I need to do something to take the power back in the situation, even though I’m not sure I know how . Truth is, I could drift here forever on Cloud Nine and never want to leave, but I said I’d keep my heart out of this.
Our chests touch when I lean into him, and his eyes widen slightly. We’re as close now as we were when he dipped me earlier. Smiling, I move my lips to his ear. “Coop?” He lets out a strangled sound. “Dream on.”
Chapter Seven
It’s just a coffeehouse.
I breathe out and press my palms against my cheeks. I remind myself for the third time tonight that I agreed to this job. No one forced me into this situation. It’s up to me to fail or succeed, and if I walk in there believing I’ll fail, then I will. If I walk in with my head held high, determined to kick ass and take names, the outcome will be good. Whatever happens tonight, I determine the results.
With a final deep breath, I push open the door to the breakroom and stroll down the hallway. A glance around the corner tells me that Freshly Ground is packed tonight. Some folks are probably here for the coffee and pastries, while others are starting to arrive for karaoke. I shudder. I can’t believe I’m working in a karaoke bar. I’ve been in a few in Nashville, and I’ve even heard some good singers. I’ve also heard way too many amazing songs butchered.
Knowing I can’t stall any longer though, I head into the main room. I spent a day learning how to use the various equipment, but I still doubt my ability to make anything other than the simplest drinks. I’m nervous, even after tutorials from Jake, and two nights shadowing Sasha, Brenna, and Mina, the other baristas.
He’s right. Dammit . I need to seem like I’m used to casual touches. I try to breathe and relax into his warmth, but it’s like trying to nonchalantly walk a tightrope. It’s just not possible to do. All I can feel is Jake’s hand in mine, and the soft stroke of his fingers on the back of my free hand. He’s touched me like this before; in another lifetime, we used to cuddle from time to time while we watched movies. But this feels different, because we’re different.
I breathe out, a slow exhalation that doesn’t make me feel any less jittery. “Okay. It’s just been a little while since anyone…” Right now, I want to choke myself if only to put an end to my misery. “It’s been a few months since I broke up with my last boyfriend.” Please get it, Coop. Don’t make me spell it out.
He doesn’t say anything, but his eyebrows rise and he moves his fingers to my arm, dancing them along my skin. When I don’t pull away, his hand tightens in mine. I hope my palms aren’t sweating right now, but it’ll be a miracle if they aren’t.
“So you can…you know.” Words. There are words I should be saying, but I can’t seem to find ones that make sense . “Touch me I mean.”
Finally, Jake focuses on me, but I almost wish he hadn’t, because being the sole object of his gaze is enough to fluster me.
“I plan to, sweetheart.” He grins, showing me his even, white teeth. They’re perfect, except for one small chip in his front tooth. “After all, it’s not every day I get this chance.” He leans closer to me. “You can touch me too, Claire.” He’s so totally in my space that I can barely breathe.
“I can?” By some miracle, my voice remains even. Apparently there is a God.
“Oh yes.” Jake guides my free hand to his shoulder. I can feel his shirt under my skin, and my entire world narrows to the muscle in his arm that jumps when I move my fingers to his bicep. “In fact, I encourage it. For practice and research.”
“Research, hmm?” Tentatively, I trail my fingers down his arm. When I hear a breath leave him in a whoosh, I lay my free hand on his thigh, meeting his hooded gaze. I know I need to do something to take the power back in the situation, even though I’m not sure I know how . Truth is, I could drift here forever on Cloud Nine and never want to leave, but I said I’d keep my heart out of this.
Our chests touch when I lean into him, and his eyes widen slightly. We’re as close now as we were when he dipped me earlier. Smiling, I move my lips to his ear. “Coop?” He lets out a strangled sound. “Dream on.”
Chapter Seven
It’s just a coffeehouse.
I breathe out and press my palms against my cheeks. I remind myself for the third time tonight that I agreed to this job. No one forced me into this situation. It’s up to me to fail or succeed, and if I walk in there believing I’ll fail, then I will. If I walk in with my head held high, determined to kick ass and take names, the outcome will be good. Whatever happens tonight, I determine the results.
With a final deep breath, I push open the door to the breakroom and stroll down the hallway. A glance around the corner tells me that Freshly Ground is packed tonight. Some folks are probably here for the coffee and pastries, while others are starting to arrive for karaoke. I shudder. I can’t believe I’m working in a karaoke bar. I’ve been in a few in Nashville, and I’ve even heard some good singers. I’ve also heard way too many amazing songs butchered.
Knowing I can’t stall any longer though, I head into the main room. I spent a day learning how to use the various equipment, but I still doubt my ability to make anything other than the simplest drinks. I’m nervous, even after tutorials from Jake, and two nights shadowing Sasha, Brenna, and Mina, the other baristas.
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