Dixie Under Siege (A Warrior's Passion #2) - Natasza Waters Page 0,73
met her, I’d killed too many men to count. I never imagined a sweet girl like her could see anything but a slice of trouble with a dark heart. Thought I’d ruin her life. Little did I know that all I had to do is love her, and she’d save mine.
“Hey, Avis.” She paused her retreat. “I could use a cup of coffee.”
She laughed and pointed across the street. “That’s what the Erotic Bean is for, Mr. Saxton.”
Shit. Cute and logical. “Your shop closed?”
“Uh-huh, just about to lock up and go home.”
“I’ll wait.”
She tilted her head as if not understanding. The gal was cooped up all day, baking carb-filled goodness for her customers. Not only did Avis have some rockin’ curves, which he liked on a woman, but he needed a little sunshine to lighten his soul.
Removing his shades, he took a second to appreciate the woman who had the courage to run her own business. He knew he didn’t give off any fuzzy, warm, first impressions. Call him curious for wanting to know why she kept smiling at him. “Let’s head to the beach. Take a walk.”
“Should I bring a few leftover cinnamon buns?”
If it wasn’t one addiction, it was another taunting him. Least he could run the calories out of his system. The temptation of baked goods forced him to nod.
A few minutes later, Avis jumped into the passenger seat. She’d turfed the apron but not all the remnants of her business. He gently thumbed a dash of white powder from her chin.
“Oh, sorry.” Her cheeks flushed. “Hazard of the job.”
He licked the powder from his finger. “Sweet.”
The hue in her cheeks deepened. “Icing sugar.”
The aroma of freshly baked bread infused his vehicle, the heady scent far better than overpowering perfume. “Any preference where we go?”
Her big blues glanced his way. “Your place.”
He choked out his next breath. Apparently there was a surprise baked into the center of the sweet lady sitting in his vehicle.
She broke into laughter. “You should see your face.” Avis reached for her seatbelt. “Some fresh air sounds good. Your choice.”
Cracker started the engine and a rare smile tugged at the edges of his mouth. It felt foreign, but at the same time, kinda amazing.
Chapter Seventeen
At one fifty-nine p.m., Dixie’s good day shifted to a solar eclipse. All the ladies, except Nina who had to take her daughter to a baseball game, had remained with her at the shop. The revolving door of customers had slowed.
She, Lumin, and Kayla enjoyed the chance to stand in one place and chat. Rayne and Marg sat near the door in Rayne’s favorite place.
The admiral’s wife turned her head to look at the entrance.
“Dixie,” she said sharply. “Get to your office. Now!”
She paused for a split second. That’s all he needed.
Chandler palmed the service counter and a handsome smile slid across his mouth. “Hey, Miss Hammond. Seems I can’t resist your coffee.”
She never expected her heart to pump like a wild beast. Last night, Dix found the missing piece to a twelve year old puzzle that Josh knew nothing about.
Mustering a friendly smile that felt more like tearing her skin open on barbed wire, she considered her next words. “You mean to tell me, you flew all the way back to San Diego for my coffee, Mr. Kallis?”
“That, and your lovely company.”
She cleared her throat. “Ho, always a charmer. Ladies, this is my former boss from New York. Mr. Chandler Kallis.”
Kayla and Lumin both lifted a hand in greeting.
“This,” she thumbed toward Kayla, “is Sheila, and that’s Barb, two of my best employees.”
Chandler’s dark eyes remained a little too long on both women. “Well, I’d have to say you’re going to attract male customers in droves. Nice to meet you, ladies.”
“So, what can I get you?” Dix asked. Her voice remained steady, but her pulse pounded at two hundred beats a minute.
“Umm.” Chandler grinned, his cut jaw and black gaze pinned to Dixie. “I was wondering if we could talk for a second.”
She shrugged. “Sure. What about? And don’t bother asking if I’ll work in Ardon’s new office here in San Diego. I’m kind of fond of running my own business.”
Chandler darted glances at her and the other women, as if indicating their presence made him slightly nervous.
“Oh, I see,” Kayla said with an utterly fake southern accent. “I think he means a private conversation. Come on, Barb.” She winked at Chandler. “He looks a little nervous. I’m guessing someone’s trying to scurry up enough courage to ask