CHAPTER THREE
After two days on a bus, Kane’s legs tingled and cramped as he stepped on the ground. The old man had gotten off at the previous stop, and no one had taken the seat, so he’d enjoyed the peace and quiet while he could. However, the fear of being recognized still ran through his mind, even though he’d traveled over five states away from his college campus. The scandal had rocked college football and been broadcast on the national news.
Adjusting the bill on his cap then slipping a piece of gum into his mouth, Kane hefted his backpack over his shoulder then walked toward the luggage area. Zebra-striped rolling bags as well as large stand-up suitcases stood sentinel against the rising sun’s rays. He spotted his army-green duffel and sprinted to grab it. His legs screamed in protest, but he didn’t want anyone spotting him and putting two and two together. So far, the news media hadn’t been alerted to his escape, so far as he knew, and he wanted to keep it that way.
A hanging sign caught his gaze. Café French. A steaming cup and muffin on the sign showed just what he needed. Coffee and food. He hoped they had some delicious home-cooked treats. He needed something other than rest-area junk. He hoped the hotdog at the last stop hadn’t been made from dogs. It definitely hadn’t been hot. Shifting his backpack to one shoulder, he hooked the duffel on the other and strode toward the promise of real, honest-to-goodness food.
A bell jingled when he shoved open the door. Murals of country landscapes and flowers flowed over one wall. The bright sunny-yellow paint on the other walls both warmed and welcomed him. But the smell of baked goods had his stomach grumbling.
“Welcome to Café French,” a young woman called out.
He nodded at her. When would he ever not fear people recognizing him?
“Is this your first time here?”
Another nod. Wow, I’m now mute, too, in addition to starving. Positive he appeared to be an idiot, he cleared his throat. Everything working there. Let me try again.
“Yes. I just arrived in town. Fresh off the bus. Been on there for two days. Saw the sign and was hungry.” His cheeks heated. What is going on? Mute first and now chatty? He shifted the straps on his shoulders, adjusting the weight of the bags.
“Set your packs down at a table and I’ll tell you about the specials.” The girl waved her hands at the rest of the restaurant.
Kane couldn’t take his gaze off her. She wasn’t what he thought of as classically beautiful. Her looks didn’t match the sorority girls he usually hung out with. Her light-brown hair brushed her shoulders when she moved her head. Was it as soft as it looked? His fingers itched to run them through it. Green-framed glasses surrounded her eyes, making it hard to notice their color or even the shape. Her pert nose hooked a little to the left. She’d most likely broken it at some point. There wasn’t anything plastic or remodeled about this girl. Her lips were lush and full. He’d swear she wasn’t wearing lipstick, but women didn’t have lips the color of mauve roses normally, right? He shook his head to break the hold she had over him.
Spying a small wrought iron table near the front window, Kane set his bags down with a sigh. He rolled his shoulders, stretching them and loosening the muscles. He’d never complain again about how much women packed. He must have brought his entire bedroom including the bookshelf. He took a deep breath before turning to meet the young lady’s scrutiny. But, the instant his gaze settled on her, he choked on his gum and began coughing. Unable to catch his breath, he bent over with his hand on his knees. Tears streamed down his cheeks. If I wasn’t embarrassed before, I sure am now. His face burned, and a trickle of sweat slide down his back.
She ran over. “Are you okay?” The young lady patted between his shoulder blades. Her hand paused to rest on his shoulder. “Breathe slowly. Try closing your eyes and focusing on letting the air in and out.”
His coughs subsided, and he straightened. “Sorry. Gum went down the wrong pipe.” A little dizzy, he reached out to steady himself and ended up groping the nice young lady.
“Eeep.” She slapped at his hand. “What was that for? I was trying to help.” Her eyes flashed behind her glasses. At any moment, she would breathe fire, smiting him. Yet, he had liked the fondling. Her full breasts more than filled his palms. In the brief moment, her nipple had hardened under his touch.
The girl stood in front of him, and he could see over her head. He looked down at her and his member twitched at the sight of her chin jutting out, making her lips more pronounced. If he pulled her into his body, her head would lie on his shoulder and her arms would curl around his chest. She smelled like a sugar cookie and his mouth watered. He’d heard the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, the way she smelled had him wanting to taste her, devour her. But her size had him feeling protective and very masculine. These feelings came fast and furious, especially for someone he’d just met ten minutes ago. Must be the Colorado air, but he’d never been in lust this fast or strong before. Needing to hide the woody she’d inspired, he tugged his shirt out of his jeans.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I haven’t eaten well on this trip.” Kane took his hat off and ran his hand over his head. “I don’t think I’m sick but dizzy from dehydration or a lack of decent food.”
She tilted her head as if considering whether to hit him or feed him. “Come on, sport.” She led the way to the stainless steel counter. Sitting on one stool, she pointed to the one next to hers and waited for him. He followed like a dog panting behind her.
Walking with a hard-on had proved challenging, but his need for food urged him forward. He climbed on the seat and placed his cap on his lap. He stuck his hand out. “I’m Kane, and you are?” He grinned, trying to appear innocent. He wanted to relax, help her relax. What he really wanted was for his little man to relax. No healthy red-blooded man wants to show a woman he’s not in control of his erections.
“I’m Charley. Nice to meet you, Kane.” Her firm grip contrasted with the softness of her skin. The smell of vanilla and sugar cookies wafted from her, and the closer he was to her, the more he longed to taste her. He forced himself to not pull her closer and sniff behind her ears.
Keeping his smile firm on his face, he reluctantly released her. “Do you have coffee here? What about food? Just sweet stuff or healthy things?” He rapid-fired his questions.
She stood then headed behind the counter. She took a cup and filled it with coffee. Setting the cup in front of him, she snatched a blueberry and white chocolate muffin, put it on a plate, and placed it next to his cup of coffee. She leaned over the counter.
His gaze settled on her chest. He’d fondled at least one of those boobs. Had it been the left or the right? When he realized his actions might cost him food, he glanced up, meeting her eyes. Behind the green plastic rims, her eyes were dark-pine green with flecks of brown. He’d never been this fascinated by someone. His ex-girlfriend had a rocking body but a powder puff for a brain. Her breasts had to have been fake because they never moved, even when he did get to fondle them.
“I hope a muffin will do. Lunch doesn’t start until eleven, and we don’t start serving sandwiches until then. I wanted to get you fed, though. I was nervous you’d faint again and grope me.” She chuckled. “Can’t have anyone getting hurt over a lack of good food.”
He gripped the cup as if it was a gold bar. The warmth from the liquid heated his hands. He inhaled the aroma, and his stomach growled. He’d missed the smell of flavorful, expensive coffee. While he’d been playing football, coffee was a scoop of instant in a cup of warm water. He couldn’t afford to hit up the big chains for real coffee.
Kane broke off a piece of the muffin and popped it into his mouth. “Mmmm. This is amazing. The flavors are intense and give me a sugar high, but I’m hoping it’s healthy enough I can have another.” He stuffed the rest into his mouth and washed it down with a swig of coffee. He held the plate out. “Please.”
She sighed, took the plate, and refilled it with another muffin. She placed it on the counter in front of him. “You need to slow down so you don’t choke. Are you sure you’re normal? Did your mom drop you on your head?”
“In my hometown in Ohio, I was a normal guy. Into sports, had a girlfriend, but we broke up. Worked hard to keep my GPA up to a 3.75. But since I’ve walked into this coffee shop, I’m losing it. I’ve accosted you, talked with my mouth full of food, and been obnoxious. My mom would’ve been appalled.” He stood and handed her a wadded up ten dollar bill. “Does this cover the food? I’m sorry. Somehow, around you, I’ve become a bumbling idiot. Totally my fault. Would you like to go out sometime? I mean, if there’s a place in this town for movie or something.” His face heated. “There I go again. We’ve scarcely met a half hour ago. I’d better leave before I do something worse.”
She shook her head, a smirk on her face. “No one’s asked me out so uniquely. Let me get your coffee to go. And the breakfast is on me. I’m happy to help out a fellow traveler.” She poured his coffee into a paper cup, added a little bit to freshen it up, and positioned the brown lid on top. Stuffing two more muffins into a bakery bag, she turned and handed both to him. “And while I’ll pass on the date, this is a small town. I’m sure we’ll see each other eventually.”
“I hope so, Charley. I really do.”