Lust Read Free Page B

between them. But I can't hear what they're saying, even though I'm straining my ears like hell. A high pitched tinkly laugh, and a contrasting deep chuckle, fills the air, teasing me.
    I finish the drinks and nervously carry them over to their table on a tray, complete with napkins and two small complimentary chocolate cookies. I'm very aware they're both watching me as I walk toward them.
    He lounges on his seat, like he owns it. His jean clad legs are sprawled out lazily to the side, crossed at the ankles, big desert style boots on his big feet. Everything about him is just so large—so substantial. A rush of heat travels through me at the suggestion of size. I notice his heavily muscled arm is draped casually over the chair back. Sean can definitely pose. I bet he does it in his sleep. But I guess, being a model, it would come naturally to him—as naturally as sleep itself would. He probably doesn't even realize he's doing it.
    In contrast, Maxine sits demurely, in a very ladylike cross legged stance, straight backed and beautifully elegant.
    His eyes are on mine. “Thanks, Lissa,” he says. But I look away. I can't hold his gaze anymore. My reaction to him is becoming far too strong. I'm so hot and my heart thumps wildly inside me. I'm beginning to understand Charlie's strength of obsession with Sean.
    “Thank you, dear,” Maxine says.
    “You're very welcome,” I reply.
    They both stare at me, I can feel their eyes running over my whole body as I move the drinks from the tray to the table.
    I feel incredibly self conscious.
    Why are they staring at me in this way? It's like I'm a freak show or something.
    “Can I get you anything else?” I manage, standing up straight, holding the tray protectively in front of my chest and preparing to run.
    “No, were fine, thanks,” he answers.
    I walk deliberately slowly back to my position behind the counter, feeling a wave of pure relief that I'm out of their intense space, but at the same time, perversely, I'm dying to get back in it.
    I catch his eye across the room, and he raises his eyebrows at me, just a touch, as his mouth breaks into a broad grin. It's a smoldering, body stroking look. I can't help but sigh.
    Sean, you're so, so sexy.
    Ten minutes later they finish their coffee, and thoughtfully bring the cups back to the counter as they leave.
    “Thanks. See you tomorrow,” I say.
    “Bye, Lissa,” Maxine replies, waving at me with her fingers.
    “You have a good one, now,” Sean says, and with another steaming look, which takes in every part of me, he's out the door.
    There are quite a few other customers here, but it instantly feels cold and empty, now that Sean's glowing essence has departed. He has a blatant sexuality, a special presence, an aura of some kind. He's the type of man I want to bathe in, to drown myself in, from head to toe. I walk swiftly to the window, with the pretense of collecting some cups, to watch him walking away.
    The confident set of his head and the smoothly co-ordinated, gliding movements of his limbs and body captivate me. I stand on tip-toe and crane my neck to get a last glimpse of him as they cross the street, and mount the steps of a tall, gray-stoned building a little way down the other side.
    So close and yet so far.
     

Chapter Two
     
    When I moved to New York from Chicago to do my degree, I took a while choosing a neighbo rhood. I looked at apartments almost everywhere— Carroll Gardens, Chinatown, Park Slope, Soho, Lower East Side, Greenwich— each had its own pluses and minuses. Eventually, I decided on a place in Greenwich Village for the ten minute trip to the Central University, and the ease of getting out and about. It was the most expensive area I looked at, but I liked the small room and my parents were fairly well off and able to help me out for a while. But now it's all up to me, and I really need some cash. Working full time in Coffee Haven should make a lot of difference. I breathe a sigh of relief that