"Finn Warner. How are you?" A cute blond moved up beside me and wrapped her arm around my back, giving me an awkward hug from the side.
"Good, girl. How about you?" I smiled at her and tugged from her hold. The last time an ex-lover approached, Chloe was long gone by the time I could get free.
"I'm great. You were supposed to call me. " She giggled and pawed at my chest.
I tugged Chloe up beside me and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I'm so rude. This is my fiancé, Chloe. She's from California."
She stiffened in my hold, but extended herself and introduced herself. I chuckled as the other girl rolled her eyes and walked out of the coffee shop.
"Does this happen all the time to you?" Chloe looked up at me and I realized she was still tucked under my arm. I wanted to kiss her so bad it hurt.
"More than I care to discuss." I released her and looked up at the menu. "Black coffee for me and whatever my girl's having."
I moved to the pickup counter, letting her order as I fingered through the chocolate bars, trying to decide if something sweet was in order for so early in the morning.
She moved up beside me and bumped her shoulder against mine. "I'm not your girl, Finn. Stop telling people that."
"Why? You on the market?" I lifted an eyebrow and pushed back against her shoulder.
"No. I'm just looking for a friend, remember?"
"Right, and a good friend would let all these other hungry fools think that you belong to him so that they leave you alone." I moved back and took my coffee as the Batista put it in front of me. "Please don't lie and tell me that no other guys have hit on you while you've been here."
"A few, I guess." She took her coffee and nodded. "I see you're point. I'm good with you calling me yours to spare me more attention and to help you cover the trail for the hookers after your body."
"They are...aren't they?" I smirked.
"They are, what? Hookers?"
"No, baby. After this sexy body. Jeez." I chuckled as she pretended to gag. "You know you want it."
"So bad." She fanned herself and rolled her eyes while walking to a small table near the window.
If only she were telling the truth. I could see her underneath me, lost to passion in a way that only I could give to her. I wanted that moment so bad, and yet I needed to leave it alone. It would consume me if I wasn't careful.
"How long do I get you today and what's on the agenda?" I sat down and leaned over to blow at the top of my coffee.
"As long as you want, but I have to do some research. My father's funding my clothing line in January, as I mentioned."
"You did. I assume your degree is in design?"
"Yes, from UCLA."
"Right, so why the research? Something to do with your old man?"
"Yeah. He wants me to come up with a new wind-breaker by Thursday that's not only functionally better than most that are already available, but is modern, fashionable. On point."
"On point?" I lifted my eyebrow and smirked.
"Never mind." She grinned and played with the top of her drink. "Let's go to a few clothing stores and we'll try on wind-breakers together. I need to figure out a few things about both men's and women's. You're going to be my Guinea pig. That okay?"
"Sure, but I'll need your help later too." I took a drink of my coffee and tried to keep my expression straight.
"Absolutely. Doing what?" Her green eyes searched my face and I tucked my hand under my leg to keep from reaching out and touching the side of her face.
"Research for the fastest way to bring a woman to orgasm." I glanced down and chuckled as she popped my arm and yelped.
"Jesus Finn. For real?"
I looked up and couldn't stop laughing. "No, baby. I'm kidding...unless."
"No. Absolutely not. You're so fucking corrupt."
"But you like it." I tugged my hand free and reached for her before I could stop myself. I tilted my head to the side and slid my fingers along her cheek, loving so much the beautiful innocence that sat on her. "Tell me you like it."
She stared at me for a moment and I wished I knew what she was thinking. At least she hadn’t shoved my hand away.
“Even if I do it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to start anything and then leave. But hey, I think you’re a good guy.”
She cupped her hand around mine, sealing the memory in my mind for when she would leave me.
* * * *
I walked out of the dressing room in a red jacket as she moved out in a thin white one.
"Now what?" I reached out and helped button the front of hers, not thinking twice about helping her though she seemed a little stiff by my nearness. It felt too natural to me not to give into it.
"We need to go outside, but I'm not sure they'll let us." She pushed at me. "I can get it. Find another way to get your hands all over me. Jeez."
"Is that an invitation? Because I have a million excuses that will seem reasonable." I laughed and turned to find the nearest sales associate, motioning for him to join us.
"Yes, Sir. How can I help you?" He smiled and me and turned his attention to Chloe as a smile slid across his face. I knew how he felt.
"We need to see how these feel outside. You got a place we can test them against the wind and cold?"
"Of course. That balcony right over there is open for you to use. It doesn't have another exit, but through the store, so feel free." He spoke to me, but kept his eyes on Chloe.
I coughed and got his attention before shaking my head. "Don't."
He adverted his eyes and walked away, clearing his throat and blushing.
"What was that?" Chloe laughed softly and nudged my arm.
The arm nudge was one step closer to the end game. Now if we could just move to small kisses, just a friendly peck when the moment called for it. I wanted to taste her lips so damn bad, but I knew I'd have to wait for her to make that move. Patience wasn't anywhere near my strong suit.
"It was man-speak for 'stop looking at my girl or I'll bend your ass over'." I winked and opened the door for her.
"But I'm not your girl." She lifted her eyebrows.
"You are for pretend, right? You're killing me over here. Are we together or are we not? I'm losing my shit, and you just don't understand me. You never have." I pulled at my hair and she laughed, slapping me and forcing a serious smile on her face.
"Be serious for a minute. I need to test these jackets out. My Dad is a hard sell and I really want to impress him." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes before peaking back at me. "Close your eyes. You need to feel the jacket."
I rolled my eyes and snorted. "Oh shit. Is this one of those California yoga things we're about to do?"
She laughed and popped my chest. "No, but you have to concentrate."
"I am, but I'm not closing my eyes. Ask your questions and let’s get into the next jacket." I leaned against the railing and watched her closely. There was a light inside of her that burned brighter when she was talking designs and colors. She was going to be great at what she did and I realized that I wanted to support her. In any way she would let me. I'd try on coats all damn day if that's what she needed.
"Why won't you close your eyes? Afraid of the dark?" She smirked and brushed her hands down her jacket as if trying to get a feel for it.
"Naw. I don't want to miss a minute of this."
"Of what?" She looked up as her smile faded.