Avery’s side, swiftly moving toward Carl with a look of lust in her eyes — and it wasn’t for the sexy man in the doorway — it was definitely for what he’d brought.
He laughed as he met her halfway, Bobbi’s eyes on nothing but the coffee.
“I wasn’t sure what you both drank so I got three kinds and figured we could fight over them,” Carl said. “This one’s a white mocha, this one’s a caramel latte, and this is strong brew with cream.”
“Caramel latte is all mine,” Bobbi said, taking the cup and immediately pressing it against her lips. She took a long swallow before stepping back with a beaming smile. “Heaven, pure heaven. You’re my favorite person on this planet right now. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
“You are very welcome,” he said. “They wouldn’t let me come in earlier because of visiting hours, so I thought I’d bring goodies with me since it drove me crazy that I couldn’t check on you last night.” He moved over to Avery as he spoke.
She wasn’t sure what looked more delicious, the coffee or the man holding it. He might just be more appealing than the coffee, and that was saying something since she was a serious coffee lover.
“I’d love the white mocha if you don’t want it,” she said, feeling unusually shy. She didn’t normally drink sugary coffees, but she figured she’d earned it. The night before had truly sucked.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” he said with a chuckle. “I got so used to drinking black coffee in the military that it feels decadent just putting cream in it.”
“I know what you mean. I’m always on a diet, so I normally drink my coffee with a little shot of sugar free cream. I tried the black thing and can’t stand it. That’s far too bitter for me,” Avery said.
He handed her the cup and she wondered if she looked just as enchanted with the brew as her mother had. She didn’t even care. It was truly that good.
“I have more,” he said, a twinkle in his eyes that made him appear far more approachable than the hard glint he’d worn the night before.
He pulled out a box from the bag he was carrying and set it on the large tray next to her bed. He slid the tray over her, then opened the box, making her mouth instantly water. Her mother moved to the other side of the bed and gazed into the box as if she was looking at precious gemstones.
“I don’t know which to pick,” Bobbi said.
“I know the problem,” Avery said, her eyes looking over the dozen pastries.
Bobbi reached in first and took a cream filled lemon bar. She stepped back, took a bite, and let out a moan. “Oh, hell yes,” she said, chewing fast, then taking another bite.
Carl laughed. “If I’d known I’d get this kind of reaction I would’ve carried pastries with me everywhere I went from the time I was young. Maybe I’ll have to start doing that now.”
Avery reached in and decided on the heavily iced cinnamon roll. She took a bite, and her own moan escaped. It was soft, warm and gooey and filled with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Yum.
She was about to take a second bite when Carl reached out and rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip. Her stomach clenched as she stared at his thumb that had some frosting on it. She then about melted through the bed when he lifted his hand . . . and licked the frosting away.
She found herself unable to move as their eyes connected. His smile faltered as his eyes bored into hers. The heat of his gaze scorched her. She forgot her mother was even in the room until she spoke, laughter in her tone.
“Well, the coffee is amazing, and the pastries are just about as good, but I think I’m going to take a walk and stretch this old body. Sleeping in a chair was a lot easier when I was younger.” She reached into the box and picked up a maple bar.
“You’re leaving me?” Avery asked, almost panicked at the thought of being left alone with this man who made her feel so . . . so . . . heck, so tingly and warm.
“You’re a big girl. I think you’ll be just fine,” Bobbi said, walking away laughing.
Avery was alone with Carl. For a moment, she didn’t know what to do. But her mother’s words before leaving