She didn’t like where this was going, although she knew better than to question Nero when he was set on something. She was at work and needed to treat him as a customer; consequently, Elle reluctantly took out her notepad and pen.
“What can I get you?”
“Surprise me.”
Elle put the pad and pen back in her apron and smiled. “Would you like me to pick your drink, as well?”
Nero leaned back in his seat. “No, I’ll take a coffee.”
Elle realized he was clearly just getting comfortable. The perfect night for the perfect day.
Elle went to the window and asked for the special then she went and grabbed a plate, holding a mug in one hand and taking the coffee pot in the other. She returned to Nero’s table and set the plate and cup in front of him, looking at him right before she poured the dark liquid into the mug. Elle could read his face and knew he had been waiting for this moment.
Returning her eyes to the mug, mostly because watching him look at her that way had started to heat her body, she managed to successfully pour the coffee. Nero’s hand covered hers for her to stop pouring, making Elle look at him again. She didn’t know how something like pouring coffee for Nero could turn sexual.
“Can you pass the sugar?” Nero’s free hand pointed to the packets of sugar at the other end of the table.
Elle looked at the ceramic box holding the packets. She knew he could very well get them and it would be easier for him to, but for some reason, Elle leaned over the table, having to go to her toes to reach them. She could feel Nero’s eyes all over her body, exciting her. She figured that feeling was the reason she wanted to please Nero.
Elle slowly slid the sugar across the table until it lay in front of him.
Nero’s thumb rubbed the top of her hand. “Thank you.” Then he finally released her hand, letting Elle look away from his eyes that had held her prisoner, as well.
She licked her now-dry lips before she left the table without a word. Elle felt his eyes all over her body again as she walked away. She tried to get her thoughts and body under control as she waited on her other tables. By the time she managed to do so, Nero’s order came up in the window.
Taking the hot plate, she headed for his table and set the plate of food in front of him. His expression now was sour, unlike the one he’d had on when Elle poured him coffee. What got into him?
Elle left the table when Nero gave no response, continuing to work despite Nero distracting her. His eyes hadn’t left her while she waited on her tables and he ate.
When she picked up his dirty dishes, he looked pissed. She had even re-filled his coffee with a smile, trying to get him to lighten up, but he hadn’t. Elle had no clue what was pissing Nero off so badly.
Eventually, Nero pulled out his laptop from his bag along with some schoolwork. I guess he is staying till I get off. That made Elle nervous. Nero was a complete wild card to her, and he was at her work. What he did in here would affect her, and this job was how Elle continued to go to school.
When the diner started to die down and her shift was almost over, only Nero and a table full of four guys remained. Elle picked up the coffee pot to refill their cups, going to the full table and filling up their cups first.
“Can I get you all anything else?” Elle spoke as she filled a cup.
“No thanks, babe.” the good-looking one of the group responded. Elle figured they were in college by their university attire.
Elle smiled and walked away once all the cups were filled.
“Elle,” she heard her name called from the corner of the room.
Elle turned around and headed for the corner where Nero was sitting. Nero’s face was now beyond pissed.
“Sit.”
Elle looked around. “I can’t.”
“Now.”
Elle looked back at Nero and felt like she only had one option, and that was to sit. She sat down in front of him, tired of his constant glares.
“What is the matter with you?”
Nero kept his voice calm and low so no one could hear their conversation. “I don’t like you pouring coffee and serving food to all these fucking men. The only coffee I want you pouring is mine.”
Huh? Elle was taken off-guard by his response. First, she realized she liked his possessiveness, and then she realized the extent of his possessiveness.
“Nero, it’s not like I enjoy it.”
“Do you think I enjoyed sitting here the whole night, having to see a bunch of old men stare at your tits and ass?” Elle tried to speak but couldn’t get one syllable out. “Then listen to douchebags call you ‘babe;?” Nero’s voice started losing its calmness.
“Hmm, I wonder who that reminds me of,” Elle said sarcastically.