I hissed out as steam from the frother scalded my hand. My focus was elsewhere—on Malkolm more specifically—or I wouldn’t have been so absentminded with my task.
“You good?” Tatum asked in between making an order.
“Yeah, I’m good.” Plus, it wasn’t like I hadn’t burned myself plenty of times, but this particular time was simply because my mind was on Malkolm and nothing else.
“I have to go in the back real quick,” Tatum said, and I gritted my teeth, because I saw the way she stepped away from the cash register exactly at the opportune time that Malkolm was ready to place his order.
My heart was in my throat as I put on a smile that seemed a little bit forced and probably anxious, and tipped my head back so I could look into his face. He was a big wall of masculine, powerful male. With broad shoulders and a wide chest, everything behind him was blocked out. It was hard not to feel a flush steal over me when I looked at him.
With his short dark hair and his piercing amber-colored eyes, he was gorgeous. A strong nose, full lips, and a chiseled jaw. I was sure most of the female population wouldn’t mind sleeping in his bed.
“Hi,” I whispered then cleared my throat, trying to sound like I had my shit together, but the reality was my voice shook with my nerves.
He watched me intently, intelligently. The corner of his mouth kicked up, and he took another step forward, just a small one to where he was nearly touching the counter. The scent of him slammed into me, a combination of his cologne and his natural, purely male aroma.
“What can I get you?” He came in here several times a week, and his order was always the same. Medium plain black coffee. Then he’d sit in the corner, and I noticed he wouldn’t even drink it. He would just watch me, as if he was trying to figure me out. As if he was trying to know all my secrets. It was a little unnerving, put me on edge, but I couldn’t help how it made me feel, like I was the only woman in the world. Like there was no one else for him but me.
After he ordered his usual, but also a second drink, I tried not to fumble as I turned and started making it. Which I failed at, since I was still keenly aware of that prickling all over my body because he was staring at me.
But I liked his gaze on me. I liked this unsteady arousal that I felt whenever he was near.
Arousal was such a potent thing, pushing away anything else so it rose to the surface swiftly. And I’d never felt desire the likes of which I felt with Malkolm.
I’d never felt arousal. Period.
I put his coffee into a to-go cup, even though I knew he’d stay, although he ordered a chai latte, and for some reason I felt this stab of jealousy thinking about the drink being for a woman.
After making the drinks, I gave him both cups, his fingers brushing along mine as he reached out and took them from me. Shivers raced up and down my arms from that small contact, and I stifled a chill at the very thought of how it would feel to have my entire body pressed against his.
Because if just a small touch like that from him could ignite me this much... I could only imagine with startling clarity what it would feel like to have our naked bodies moving together.
Those thoughts had my face heating, and I looked away quickly, knowing my cheeks were probably as red as a candy apple. A moment passed since I made his order and gave it to him, yet he still stood there despite several people behind him waiting in line.
“Go out with me,” he said suddenly.
I snapped my head up in his direction to look into his eyes. I felt my own widen in surprise. I opened and closed my mouth, feeling like a fish out of water, trying to gasp for air and failing. I was very aware of several sets of eyes locked on us, no doubt the other customers holding their breath... or maybe that was just me.
I felt Tatum still beside me, since she’d conveniently come back out once I helped Malkolm.
He shifted on his feet, and I wondered if he was nervous because I hadn’t said anything.
I know I would be. Say something. Anything.
“Well?” I heard Tatum prompt, her voice breathless with anticipation as she waited for me to answer. “You gonna answer the man?”
I wanted to cut her a glare, but I kept my focus on Malkolm. I couldn’t have torn my eyes from him even if I tried.
“A date?” I asked in a mumble. I probably sounded like an idiot, but the corner of his mouth kicking up made me feel anything but... because he was amused and pleased.