It had to be him, she thought as her fingers trembled, hovering over the “ignore” button. The country code was the same as Shantra’s but that wasn’t Shantra’s phone number. The only other person who would call her from Kilar would be Rais. The prince himself and she wasn’t going to talk to him. That final “conversation” had been disturbing enough and she was exhausted from lack of sleep because every time she closed her eyes, her mind brought back that kiss, the way he’d touched her and all of those amazing feelings that made her body leap to attention.
He was more dangerous than any man she’d ever met in her life. Simply because he wouldn’t get out of her mind! He was there, like a splinter that she couldn’t get out. He just kept showing up at the most inopportune moments.
The man was horrible and annoying and she finally pressed the “ignore” button and forced herself to get back to work.
Chapter 5
Joline stepped into the warm, inviting atmosphere of the coffee shop, breathing in the heavenly scent of freshly ground coffee beans and brewing coffee. “Fabulous,” she sighed as she stood in line, waiting for her turn to order. She’d finally slept last night. No steamy, erotic dreams that woke her up breathing heavily with her body ready and wanting a dark man’s touch. Just deep slumber! It was cathartic, she told herself.
Today was going to be a good day, she thought as she moved forward in the line. No more palaces, no more tall, dominating men who made her mind turn to mush...just everyday stuff that she could understand and, more importantly, that she could handle.
“Long line today, huh?”
Joline turned her head and noticed the handsome man behind her. “Definitely!” she replied, smiling. Wow! Good looking, she thought. Of course, he could be an axe murderer or serial killer, but he looked normal enough. His features were pleasant and she doubted there was an intimidating bone in his body. Nice!
“Not normally this long on a Tuesday,” he continued.
Joline nodded her head. “I don’t even try coming in on Fridays. The line is normally out the door,” she laughed.
The man rolled his eyes in agreement. “Yeah, Fridays are brutal, but I’ll still wait in line. I’m hooked.” And he shrugged as if to say that he accepted his weakness.
Joline chuckled. “You’re a stronger man than me,” she told him.
“I’m Toby,” and he extended his hand. “I work over at Dorsmith and Hammill, just across the street.”
Joline shook Toby’s hand, relieved when she didn’t feel any burning sensation stream up her arm and her heartbeat was strong and steady. No crazy hammering at all! Nice, she sighed with a relieved heart.
“I’m Joline. My friends call me Jo.”
“Will I have that privilege?” he asked. There was a smile on his face, but still a hesitant question in his eyes.
Joline really liked this guy! Rais would simply tell her that he would call her Jo. He wouldn’t be a gentleman about it and ask politely. What a relief!
“I don’t know,” she teased right back. “Are you a friend or foe?”
The man’s smile increased. “Oh, I’d definitely like to be a friend,” he came right back.
Joline almost smiled with relief. Rais would have come back with something like, “I’ll be neither. We will be lovers!” and she would have melted even while her body singed with his words. Yes, this was much nicer. She didn’t need any sparks in her life. She needed nice and easy, uncomplicated. She needed to stay as far away from Rais as possible.
“Next!” the barista called out.
Joline stepped forward and gave her order but before she could get her wallet out, Toby was placing a hand on hers. She looked up at him with a question. “May I buy you this cup of coffee?” he asked politely.
Joline smiled and nodded her head easily. “Thank you, that would be very nice.” And she stepped back, allowing Toby to place his order and pay for both drinks. She moved over to the end counter where they would pick up their drinks when they were ready, more than eager to continue her conversation with Toby. The man was so non-threatening that she was drawn to him, feeling as if already he was a friend instead of a stranger.
When he stepped over to her, they exchanged additional pleasantries, all the normal comments about working in Manhattan and the silly problems of daily life. There wasn’t anything worrisome in the conversation, no sparks or anxiety over what he might do or if he might touch her. His hands remained at his sides, his eyes on hers. Not a single time did his glance travel lower. It was just a nice, easy conversation.