Some Like it Hotter

No, no, that was all too dramatic, even for her. She had simply succumbed to fatigue and tonight’s earlier drama. A good night’s sleep and she’d be fine. In the meantime, footsteps told her Ames was coming back, and he was not going to find her mopey and confused after they’d had so much fun.

“Hey.” Ames slid back into bed. “I enjoyed that, Eva. Maybe you could tell?”

She giggled at his blissful expression. “Uh, I had some idea, yes. Maybe you could tell I enjoyed it too when I came and my head nearly shot off?”

“Amazing.”

“I know!”

He slid his arms around her. Miraculously, they found a comfortable position nearly right away. The extra arm that always got in the way didn’t seem to be a problem. Eva burrowed into him, prepared to lie in the unfamiliar embrace and count sheep.

She made it to about fifteen...and then...

Good morning.

Eva dragged herself up from sleep. Deep male voice, someone kissing her shoulder. Mmm, what a nice way to wake—

Wait, morning? Her eyes shot open. “What time is it?”

“Way early. You’ve got time to shower and get to the shop by five.”

“Oh, my God, I can’t believe I didn’t set an alarm or anything.” She threw off the covers. “You saved my butt.”

“I set an alarm.” His mouth was investigating her shoulder. “It went off in my room.”

“I didn’t hear it!” She tried to get up, but there was an iron arm around her waist. “Um. Ames?”

“Five minutes.” His hand slid up to cover her breasts.

“No, no, there isn’t time to—”

“Three minutes.” He began pressing rhythmically against her bottom.

She giggled. “Why do they make men so horny first thing in the morning?”

“Because that’s when they’re likely to have women in bed with them.”

“We’re also there at night.”

“Men are horny then, too. Doubles the chance for babies. Survival of the species.”

“I’m more concerned right now about survival of the coffee shop.”

“Aw, sure.” He loosened his arm. “Abandon me in my time of need.”

“Don’t worry.” She got out of bed and kissed his temple. “For the next three weeks I will make it my personal mission to help you out of as many horny moments as I can.”

Ames grinned, holding out his arms. “My angel of mercy.”

She snorted. “Get some sleep. I’ll let myself out.”

In the bathroom she showered superspeed, threw her hair into a ponytail on top of her head, dressed and brushed her teeth. On her way out, she stopped. Hesitated. Then backtracked, giving in to one last impulse.

Feet making no sound on the deep carpet, she tiptoed back to the guest room, dimly lit by the light she’d turned on in the hall, and peeked around the door. Ames was sleeping on his back, covers pushed down around his waist, broad chest exposed. Under the blankets, the shape of his muscular legs.

Eva’s man for the next three weeks, to lust, honor and ravage, till California did them part.

Her lips curved in a smile. She’d been right: she felt much better this morning after a good sleep. Back on track, solid, consumed with thoughts of the café and what needed doing that morning and beyond. Today she wanted to think about inexpensive ways to change the feel of the shop, introduce softness, color and whimsy. She wanted to set up a date between Tom and Natalie. She wanted to find ways to—

“Have dinner with me tomorrow night?”

Eva jumped at the sound of his deep voice breaking the silence. Her smile grew wider. She wanted to find ways to enjoy this gorgeous man however possible while she was here.

“Thank you, Ames. I’d love that.”

9

EVA WIPED DOWN the counter in front of the gleaming Beast one more time. After two weeks she still hadn’t established a karmic connection with this machine. Back in California she had a sixth sense for hers, understood when it was feeling grumpy from too much humidity or heat. This one, she had to pull several shots each morning before she got it right, tasting each cup carefully, adjusting the grind, the dosing, the timing, sometimes fussing with the blend for maximum flavor balance, sometimes several times.