Page 30 of Riding Hard

Like, beyond amazing.

My gaze flitters around the room, and there, sitting in the corner where I knew they would be, because I saw them through the window, are Elodie and Alex. They each have a coffee in hand and flick their gazes to meet mine.

I motion to the line, wondering what kind of treats I can find when I get up to the counter, because I can sure smell them. Alex and Elodie dip their chins, a smile playing on their lips. I can’t help but wonder if they can read my mind. Do they know I’m searching for treats? Do they know it’s because I’m still exhausted and famished from my evening with Slade?

While I stand at the back of the line, my mind begins to drift as I continue thinking about Slade. I want him again. I wish he had come back last night or this morning. I would take anything. I’m craving him.

“Next,” the barista calls out.

I don’t move.

My vision is blurred. My thoughts are only focused on one thing and one thing only: Slade. I want his touch, his lips, his arms around me. I imagine him standing directly behind me, his hands on my hips, his lips on the side of my throat.

I want to feel him fill me and stretch me. I want it all, and I want it right now.

I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more. It is such a foreign feeling, wanting a man’s touch, craving it this way. But it’s a welcome one, too. I want my own happiness. I want to feel good and safe.

I deserve all those things.

At least I think I do. I hope I do.

“Next,” the barista calls out a bit louder.

My back straightens, I blink, and then I feel my face heat when I realize that it’s me she’s shouting to. Moving toward the counter, I stop as my eyes search the case. The barista sighs heavily, obviously annoyed with me. I need to hurry and order.

I say the first thing that comes to mind. It’s not even anything that I have ever ordered before. It’s just something I saw a sign for. “I’ll have a brown sugar almond milk latte,” I blurt out. “A cinnamon roll, a blueberry muffin, and an apple streusel muffin,” I mutter.

“Name?” the barista asks.

“Juliette.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SIX

JULIETTE

I’m not sure why I ordered three pastries. I don’t know if I’m trying to buy Alex and Elodie off with baked goods or what I’m doing. When my name is called, I gather all my things and carry them over to the table.

Alex and Elodie’s eyes widen at my approach. Sinking down onto the chair, I place the pastries in the middle of the table. “I just ordered a few things. I didn’t know what anyone wanted, if anything, but it smelled too good to just leave there,” I murmur.

Elodie laughs, but I can tell she’s not laughing at me. Her eyes are dancing, and then she flicks her attention to the table. “I’m going to happily take half of this apple thing,” she announces. “Donuts are usually my thing, but I won’t turn down any pastry.”

“I should be watching my waistline, but I worked my ass off yesterday in more than one way, so I’m going to take half this cinnamon roll,” Alex states.

Reaching for the blueberry muffin, I bring it to my lips and take a bite, hoping they can’t tell that all I can think about is Slade. They each take their pastry, and then Elodie’s gaze searches mine, and she stops midbite, but it’s Alex who speaks, which surprises me.

“You got laid.”

My gaze flicks to him. He only said three words. I swallow the muffin, which seconds ago seemed so moist and delicious but suddenly turns to sawdust in my mouth. I press my lips together,

Elodie hisses at Alex to be quiet. But he doesn’t even look away. His gaze is fixed on mine as if there is nobody else in the world. I don’t know how he’s figured it out so fast. I haven’t even said a word, and he’s already figured out that I had sex.

“You don’t have to say anything at all. Alex has no boundaries and thinks other people don’t either,” Elodie says, but I don’t miss her lingering look. She wants to know. But she’s not going to ask.

Instead, she asks me about the work. If I enjoy it and if I would think about staying on. I can’t believe it. “I did an okay job?” I ask

Elodie laughs, her eyes dancing. “You did great. Whatever you don’t know, you’ll learn. You were on time, you worked hard, and you’re fun.”