The Rush (The Siren Series) - By Rachel Higginson Page 0,105

sweet Ryder was being, but then my stomach growled loudly and I knew I needed to eat something.

“Hungry?” he turned to face me, and crossed his arms against his chest. The movement pulled his shirt tight at his biceps and shoulders and I had the strongest urge to run my fingers against the creases in the fabric and smooth them out.

“Mmm-hmmm. I could eat like five croissants this morning.”

“Good to know,” Ryder’s face broke out into a bigger grin, his gray eyes sparkling until they turned into shiny silver. “But I have a better idea.”

“Than chocolate croissants? You can see why I would have my doubts,” I took another step forward so I could press my hands against the cool glass of the counter and lean forward. I looked back at Ryder over my shoulder, noting how close we were. I was having fun flirting with him, I could admit that. But I also had to admit I needed to stop myself soon. It wouldn’t do any good for him to actually start returning these feelings.

“Come have breakfast at my house,” his voice dropped to a rumbling timber.

For a few moments I was stunned into silence, only the sound of the espresso machine whirring in the background, the soft tickling of ceramic dishes being used and melodic hum of conversational voices interrupted the shock that froze all of my thoughts.

“I can’t,” I mumbled finally. I dropped my gaze to the counter, to my hands, to the cash register, to anywhere but Ryder’s face.

“Yes, you can,” he pleaded gently. Always gently with me. Always careful.

I shook my head quickly. “No, thanks, it’s sweet of you to offer.”

“It’s not sweet of me to offer,” Ryder laughed harshly. “It’s against my better judgment to offer. But come anyway.”

“Well, now you’ve convinced me,” I groaned. A moment ago my thoughts were all vibrating and fuzzy with confusion, but leave it up to Ryder to bring me right back to reality.

“Here you go,” Gwen interrupted Ryder’s ready response. She handed Ryder a drink carrier full of four large coffee cups. The scent of fresh, hot caffeine permeated the air around me and I instantly took a step forward to inhale a good whiff.

Ryder passed a twenty and a five across the counter and winked at Gwen.

“This is way too much,” she smiled at him.

I forced my expression to remain the same and hide the jealous monster that lurked just beneath my calm surface.

“I know,” he shrugged. “Think of it like a bribe. I’m holding her,” he gestured to me with his elbow, “coffee hostage. If she decides not to come with me, do not serve her under any circumstances. We clear?”

“Sure,” Gwen laughed. “We’re clear.”

My mouth dropped open in surprise and I shot Gwen an imploring look. She looked me over, not in a very kind way and her expression became steel.

“Are you serious?” I gasped more to Ryder than to Gwen, but she shrugged her shoulder as if there was nothing she could do. “Ryder, make her serve me coffee.” I whispered harshly when he started to walk away and Gwen disappeared through the door that led to the kitchen. “Ryder!”

“Not a chance, Red. If you want this delicious, amazing-smelling macchiato, you better move your ass.” He didn’t slow down and soon he was out the door while I stayed staring after him.

I decided he was right, so I hurried after him and my kidnapped coffee. “You know, I could always just go to Starbucks if I get desperate.”

Empty threat.

“Yep, you could,” he admitted, but didn’t look back at me.

I let out a long suffering sigh, but in the end I let myself in the passenger side of his Bronco parked on the street. He handed me the carton of coffees, shot me a huge grin and then started the car.

I held the coffee in my lap with both hands and tried not to move one way or the other when his arm rested on the back of my seat, just above my shoulder blades while he backed out. There was warmth in that movement that I was almost desperate to lean into and at the same time the clawing need had me eyeing the door handle and contemplating my chances of diving out of the car before he could put it in drive.

In the end I just remained still- absolutely still.

When the Bronco faced east on Farnam he removed his hand from across the seat to deal with the gearshift and I released