Page 6 of Completely Captivated
He watched her as she returned to the counter, took a few orders, and gave every customer her personal touch as she filled their orders.He was amazed at how she made each person feel like a welcome guest in her home, and they were all glad to be there.His eyes followed as she continued to move around the room, talking to her patrons as if they were long-lost friends.She adjusted pastries in the case and refilled the carafe with hot coffee with ease and care.
She returned to his table a few minutes later.“Can I warm you up?”
His lips curled into a slow, sensual smile.He intentionally misinterpreted her offer and his playful eyes danced with mischief.“I wasn’t aware that was a menu choice.”
When she realized her choice of words, he watched with amusement as the red crept up her neck and face.
“Yourcoffee,” she clarified with a laugh, thankful that his date was on the phone and completely oblivious to their conversation.
“I’m good,” he responded, lifting one eyebrow and deliberately leaving his response open to interpretation.Christa’s face suddenly looked like she had a sunburn, and he was completely enamored with her.“Keep blushing like that, and I might start to think you like me.”
She laughed nervously and straightened imaginary wrinkles from her clothes.“We can’t have you thinking that, can we?”
The next day, Aaron showed up with a different girl—same build, same attitude, but his attention was transfixed on Christa.They continued their playful banter, with Aaron making comments to ensure Christa knew he was more than interested in her.Her natural shyness around men was evident, but that was part of his intense attraction to her and the foremost reason why he tamed his approach.She wasn’t seeking attention, fame, or fortune.She was genuinely a beautiful person, inside and out, and he wanted to get to know her and see where their mutual attraction took them.
“Hi, Christa.Did you save any of your delicious, mouthwatering croissants for me?”Aaron asked in his smooth as silk, sexy bedroom voice as he strolled up to the counter.
Christa smiled through her awkwardness.“I might have one or two left.”
“Feel free to save me one every day.I’ll have to add some extra time to my work-out schedule to make up for it, but it’s so worth it,” he joked, patting his already muscular stomach.
Over the following week, Aaron came in alone and ordered his usual.Their witty dialogue increased daily along with their comfort level.When he couldn’t wait any longer, he decided to make his move when Christa delivered his order to his table.He put on his best smile and held out his hand.“I haven’t introduced myself.I’m Aaron Rivers.”
“Christa Lanes,” she replied as she accepted his hand.
“I’d really like to have breakfast with you, Christa.”
Confusion shrouded her face.“Umm, right now?”
He nodded, his genuine smile covering his face, and gestured to the empty chair.“Right now would be perfect.”
Christa looked around her café and decided Allie had everything under control.“One minute.”She scurried behind the counter and grabbed her cup of coffee and a caramel croissant, a brand-new menu item she had just perfected the night before.She hurried back to his table and slid into the chair across from him.
His eyes bugged out at the sight of Christa’s pastry.She giggled as he looked back and forth at their plates, trying to figure out the difference between the flaky pastries.
“What isthat?”he asked spiritedly, while never taking his eyes off the deliciousness on her plate.
“It’s something new I’m trying out to see how customers like it.It’s a caramel croissant.My own concoction.”She finished speaking as she raised her fork to cut off a bite.Before the tines touched her pastry, Aaron snatched her plate away and replaced it with his own.
“Let me be your guinea pig.”He vigorously dove into the baked bliss, licking his lips while never taking his eyes off it.Christa watched his facial expressions for his reaction, her teeth leaving their imprint on her bottom lip in anticipation.She didn’t have to wait long to know exactly what he thought about it.
“Fuck.This is incredible, Christa.This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten.It almost tastes better than sex feels.”Then, as if it suddenly hit him, his expression turned serious as he continued.“I can’t believe you gave me the plain one and took the caramel one for yourself.”
She laughed heartily as she explained her duplicity.“Honestly, I had a feeling you’d take this one away from me as soon as I brought it out.It actually took you a little longer than I thought it would.I almost got a bite of it.You were a little slow on the uptake.Maybe I gave you too much credit, after all.”
They settled into a playful banter, enjoying the company throughout the rest of their breakfast.With the pair feeling at ease with each other, their conversation moved easily from one topic to another, questions and answers freely shared as they became better acquainted.When the coffee and croissants were finished, Aaron reluctantly rose from the table.
“I have to get to work now.Can we do this again tomorrow morning?”
Christa was in awe of his confidence.He was so sure of himself, and he had no fear of rejection.Then again, she thought,why would he?He was beautiful, and she was…well, she didn’t feel like she was in his league.But he made it a point to come into her establishment, ask to have breakfast with her, and he wanted to do it again.Those had to be positive signs.
Christa rose from the table and smiled as she nodded.“I’d like that.”
She watched him leave while she picked up their plates and began preparing for the lunch crowd.Allie slid up beside her, smiling broadly while she watched Christa watching Aaron.
“You like him.”
“He’s funny.But I’m definitely not his type.”Christa sighed to herself, refusing to get caught up in the “I wish” world she could easily lose herself in.She’d wished her childhood away.That sentiment had gotten her nowhere.Her new focus was “I will,” and she only focused on the goals she knew she could attain.
