Casting Stones (Stones Duet #1) (22 page)

She does a quick double-take when she spots me and then smiles tightly. I read her body language, which isn’t as light and carefree as I’ve become used to seeing. My eyes travel the length of her body covered in a white polo shirt and long pants that hug every curve perfectly and my dick responds instantly. I want her. Desperately.

Sitting on a stool at the counter, I watch as she and Jenna move around one another like an old couple who know each other well. One reaches up high to grab a bottle of syrup while the other bends down to grab the bag of coffee to brew a fresh pot.

Jenna comes over and brings me a cup of hot black coffee. “What’s up?”

“Not much, Jenna. You?” I lift the mug and sip slowly.

“It’s been crazy in here. Lenny’s brother-in-law didn’t show up so he’s back there trying to cook with a fucked up hand.” The woman sitting two seats down from me gives Jenna a reproachful glare to which Jenna grimaces and utters a quick apology.

I glance at the row of green tickets on the spinner, knowing exactly what I have to do. I stand, take the coffee and start to walk.

“Hey, where you going?” Jenna quips.

“To cook.”

Remy and I meet face to face when we both try to fit in the narrow opening to the kitchen.

“Hey,” she says, “What are you doing?”

I hear Lenny greet me by name as I answer her question. “I’m going to help Lenny.”

“Shane, you don’t have to do that. We’ve got it. Besides, Paco is back there.” She lays her hand on my arm and tries to nudge me back in the direction of the dining area. “Go eat your breakfast.”

I imagine her under me while her hands grip my arms; our bodies moving slowly in unison as I drive deeply into her.

I turn quickly and face her, taking her hand in mine and bringing it to my mouth. The feel of something at the end of her fingers causes me to look down, inspecting each one carefully.

“You’re hurt,” I blurt. “What happened?”

She pulls her hand away and out of my reach. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

“Each fingertip is covered with a Band-aid.” I lower my voice and glare at her, hoping she understands I’m very serious. “I’m not going to ask you again, Remy.”

“God, you need to chill out! I cut my fingers on some broken glass. It’s not the end of the world.” Her voice oozes with annoyance and I know it’s directed at me…as it should be.

“I’m sorry about last night.”

With a look of indifference, she glances up. “Okay.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“No.” She turns away.

“You should be.”

“Hey, Shane! I could really use a little help back here.” Lenny calls over the hot oil popping on the flat grill top.

“Looks like I’m cooking this morning.”

Green eyes roll upward as she releases a loud huff.

I sidestep her and reach for the same apron I used yesterday. “So how about it?”

“What?” she asks as I slip it on over my head and tie it around my waist.

“A kiss for the cook?” I smirk and flip the mint over with my tongue, teasing her. I lean down to kiss her, but she turns her face, making my lips meet her cheek. So she
is
mad at me.

She grabs a spatula from the drawer and hands it to me. “Get to work, loverboy.” The door swings as she walks through it. I catch her eye in the stainless steel framed window where she’s piling orders on a tray.

I take over on the grill as Lenny preps the side dishes. He’s not much of a talker except to call, “Order’s up.” The only time Lenny speaks to me was when he catches me watching Remy interact with the customers as she greets them by name.

“She’s a good girl.”

I simply nod my head in agreement as I hand him the dish so he can add some potatoes.

“She likes you.”

“I know.”

“You like her?”

He holds out the plate for me to take so I can slide it under the warmers in the food window. I look down at the plate when I feel resistance. Still holding the other end, he looks at me and asks, “Do you?”

“Very much, sir.” I inhale and exhale quietly, letting the silent words that I
love
her float away unspoken.

An oddly familiar middle-aged man comes in followed by an attractive woman whose skin reminds me of mocha. They find an empty booth and wave to Remy who rushes over to greet them. The smile on her face for the two people is genuine and I find myself smiling, too.

“What are you smiling about?” Jenna asks, pushing her way through the swinging door to get more ketchup.

“I’m not smiling.” I lie. “My face always looks like this.”

A roar of laughter erupts from the petite brunette. “Collin said you were funny, but I didn’t believe it.”

“Ahh…and how is my friend Collin?”

“Incredible.” She glances back and winks as she leaves the kitchen.

“By the way…what’s that tat on your back?” I tease her even though I really didn’t look too closely when she was busy riding my buddy on the couch in my living room.

“Wouldn’t you like to know!” A deep blush fills her face as she peeks through the food window.

While Remy continues to chat with the couple, I take the opportunity to ask Lenny a few questions about her, but he’s no help because all he says is that I have to ask her. So much for guy code.

Remy turns around and looks in my direction as if she were talking to them about me. Where I would expect to see her beautiful smile, a sad smile appears; for some reason it feels as though it’s directed at me and as much as I hate to admit, it hurts. This woman is going to be my undoing. Everything I’ve worked so far for is going to be lost on her.

I call Jenna a few times until she finally hears me. “Who’s Remy talking to?” I nudge my head in the direction of the dark haired man just as Remy walks over.

“That guy? That’s David. He’s her—”

Remy interrupts with a single word, “Advisor.”

The quick glance between the two doesn’t escape my attention.

“He’s my advisor.” Her eyes hide the truth as she takes a hard swallow.

“Is that the same guy from the coffee shop?”

“The coffee shop?”

I give her a pointed look. “The one you were holding hands with.”

Balancing several dishes in her arms, she turns on her heels and makes a delivery after declaring, “Yep…he’s the same one.”

I return my attention to the tickets on the wheel and yank the tickets down with more force than necessary before I proceed to cook.

Remy pokes her head through the swinging door and speaks directly to Lenny. “Len, I’m going to take a break, if that’s okay.” I glance over in time to see her offer a tight smile.

“You got it, kid!”

While I continue to cook through the late breakfast hour, I get a knot in the pit of my stomach when the man, known as her advisor, slides over in the booth and makes room for her. The black woman smiles warmly as Remy talks to them. I notice Remy rolls her eyes and mocks the man who has his arm over her shoulder and seems to be enjoying her playfulness a little too much if you ask me. He better keep his fucking hands to himself if he knows what’s good for him.

When they finally leave, Remy waves goodbye and locks the door, flipping the sign indicating the restaurant is now closed.

“Whew! What a morning!” Jenna announces as she separates the money in the tip jar, her lips moving quickly counting the multiple bills and coins.

As Remy counts the money, she looks up as if she’s thinking about something. Her lips move quickly before she slips the wad of cash into the back pocket of her pants, making her one cheek look much bigger than the other.

“Now girls, what about Shane? Don’t you think you should give him some of your tips?”

Jenna squawks, “No! He stared at Remy’s ass all freaking morning! And he steals all the mints! I’d say that’s tip enough.”

I exhale a low chuckle as my eyes and dick bulge at the same time. I’m glad the apron covers the growing hard-on in my pants. Jenna is one hundred percent right. I took full advantage of looking at that ass I love so much. I can’t wait to get my hands on it again.

Remy narrows those beautiful greens at me as Lenny heads back into the kitchen. “Were you staring at my ass all morning?”

“No,” I quip nonchalantly.

“Liar!”

“I’m not lying,” I close the gap between our bodies. My voice drops to a whisper. “I wasn’t just staring at your ass…I was staring at your tits, too.”

“Ugh! I told you I don’t like that word!” Out of nowhere, her small fist knocks into my arm and I’m surprised at the force behind it.

“Easy, tiger.”

She punches me harder, adding even more force.

“Ohhhhhh…I’m wounded!” I rub my bicep for effect.

“Don’t even try it! You’re not pulling that again!” The humor in her voice makes me grin. “Remember what happened last night?”

I couldn’t have planned this any better. I wait for her words to sink in. The moment of realization is picture perfect when her jaw drops open and she begins to stutter.

With my index finger, I silence her lips. “I remember.” Every second of tasting her has filled my mind since the second my eyes opened.

A slow blush covers her face as her eyes become glassy and dream-like as if they are filled with the memory.

Silence filled with tension crackles between us. Slowly, my eyes drop to her polo shirt where I can see her nipples harden and strain against her bra before I look up to meet her eyes.
That’s right. Remember that. Remember what I did to you. Remember how I made you feel. Remember how I let you taste yourself.

She licks her lips and crosses her legs. I have no doubt she’s wet and would be willing to let me fuck her if we were alone.

But as she always does, she surprises me when, defiantly, she squares her shoulders, lifts her chin, and announces that she’s walking away now. She rolls her eyes and turns away but I reach out, taking her hands in mine, stopping her in her tracks.

“I’m sorry.” I can only hope that she understands what I’m apologizing for. It’s not just the use of the word I know she despises, but more importantly for my actions last night. She doesn’t need to know everything, but she does need to know that I regret it. If I could change it, I would. If I could control it, I would.

“Can we talk later?” she asks. I look at her and find understanding mingled with curiosity.

The only thing I can offer is a quick nod of my head. God knows I don’t have answers to give or at least, not the ones she would truly comprehend.

Lenny locks the back door and thanks me again for the umpteenth time, promising that my breakfast will be on the house since I refuse to take his money. Remy assures her boss that she doesn’t mind closing up; he’s exhausted and needs to get home to rest his hand. After several unsuccessful attempts to get Remy to join her in an afternoon of shopping since they both have a pocketful of cash, Jenna whispers something about not wasting the money stupidly, waves a quick goodbye and runs to catch the bus.

“What are we doing later?” I ask her. I notice she suddenly seems nervous as her eyes blink rapidly and look everywhere but at me. “You okay?”

She hums an affirmative and looks down at her sneakers.

“Why are you nervous, Remy?”

“I’m not.”

“Don’t lie to me.” Her dishonesty is evident. “Ever.”

“What happened to you last night? Why’d you flip out on me?”

She goes right for the jugular and I’m caught off guard. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t lie to me.” She pins me with those gorgeous, serious eyes. “Ever.” She spits my own words back in my face.

“I lose my temper sometimes. It doesn’t happen often.”

“Do I look stupid to you?” she sneers. “I’m getting a Master’s Degree in Mental Health. I study people. I read tons of case studies.”

A sick feeling of being caught runs through my veins and I use the only mechanism of defense I have right now. “I’m not a lab rat.”

Her chest rises and falls as her eyes turn into slits. “What’s wrong with you?”

I release a disbelieving chuckle, admiring her forthrightness and non-nonsense, blunt attitude; it’s actually refreshing compared to the many therapists and doctors I’ve dealt with over the years.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I scoop her up into my arms, forcing her legs to wrap around my waist. “The only wrong thing right now is that you have clothes on and we’re in a kitchen not a bed. If we were anywhere else, I’d finish what we started last night.” I swear I can feel the heat emanating from her as she grinds herself against me and brings her lips to my ear.

“This conversation isn’t over…just postponed.”

Our mouths crash into one another and our tongues join in. The taste of maple syrup on her tongue reminds me of devouring her last night and my dick stiffens immediately. It’s in painful and desperate need of release.

“Come home with me.” I squeeze her ass hard with one hand as the other grips her neck where her short hair touches the collar of her shirt.

“Oh, God I want to say yes… I really do,” she mumbles against my mouth as she brings our kiss to a close.

“Then what’s stopping you?” I nibble at her neck playfully, trying to change her mind.

“You,” she whispers so quietly that I almost miss it. I pull back to look at her face, trying to gauge the emotion on her face.

“You scare me.”

What the fuck? It feels as though an IED has exploded in my heart, shattering it into a million pieces. “You don’t have to be afraid of me. I would never hurt you.”

With small strokes to my cheek, Remy softens the obvious blow of her words. “I’m not
afraid
of you. The thing is Shane, I’m on a one-way track and if I go home with you, we both know what’s going to happen. I can’t let you derail me.” Vulnerability seeps through her pleading eyes before she looks away.

In the time that I’ve gotten to know her, I’ve determined that she’s driven to succeed and to do better for herself. Every single one of those little comments disguised in humor were noted and tucked away. I know her life hasn’t been easy and I certainly don’t want to add my shit to her load, but I want her. It’s undeniable. It’s uncontrollable. It’s inevitable.

“Remington, look at me.”

Her eyes snap to mine as she stammers, “What did… you… call me—”