Serial Story: English Breakfast, Part 13
This story is presented weekly in draft format.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 |
English Breakfast, Part 13
A week later, Karen stood on the sidewalk in the cool early-morning air and watched the wrecking crews tear down what was left of her tea bar. Heather’s story had gone to press the day after they were rescued, and Charles Industries had been raided in one of the largest inter-agency busts ever in the city. Heather had agreed to go into witness protection, and she’d convinced her friend to go as well, so the only thing left was the trial.
A loud boom made Karen wince as the last concrete wall went down. The insurance had agreed to cover most of the loss, and between that and the check Stetson Security had cut her for her help with the case, she’d be able to rebuild. It wouldn’t be as nice as the original, and some corners would have to be cut. But since she’d be working two jobs for awhile, she might be able to make it work, as long as Kane kept his promise to keep her hacking assignments and his security guys far away from her shop.
“How are you holding up?” Patrick came up beside her, holding a steaming cup. She took it, sniffing the earthy aroma and then taking a careful sip.
“English Breakfast - your favorite. You know I prefer Yunnan, right?”
He shrugged, continuing to watch the work. “I know. I was hoping it would grow on you.” His lips curved up in a slow grin, and she took another small sip.
“It’s not bad, I suppose. A little pretentious, maybe. Outside my comfort zone, for sure.”
Her heart picked up, a warmth that wasn’t necessarily from the tea infusing her body. Could she get used to this? To him? They were so different, and different was...difficult. The last time had ended in disaster, one that she took full responsibility for. Why would he want to risk that again? Why would she?
“It’s hot enough though, right?” He struggled to keep a straight face, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
Looking down at the cup, she was all too aware of his gaze on her warm cheeks.
“Yes, it’s definitely hot enough. Maybe a little too hot, actually.” A giggle escaped her lips, and she kept her head down, watching his feet move in front of her. When his hands closed around her arms, she looked up, meeting his sparkling gaze with her own.
“I think...” he reached out to caress the side of her face with one hand, “...that you should give this another chance. And just to be clear, I’m not talking about tea, Karen. My feelings haven’t changed. I still love you as much now as I loved you when you broke my heart. Give me another shot.”
With gentle pressure he pulled her forward, and she knew he was giving her time to stop. To back away. To toss the tea in his face.
So help her, she couldn’t.
His kiss was soft, sweet, with a hint of earthy bitterness reminiscent of the tea he’d brought her. She moved closer, her arms wrapping around his neck as his hands pulled her tight against his body and his lips devoured hers.
Home. She was home.
Coming up for air, he leaned back slightly, a twinkle in his eye as he smiled down at her.
“You do realize that dropping the tea would have been romantic, right?”
She laughed, shaking her head. “And waste good tea? I thought we just agreed not to do that!”
Then he kissed her again, overwhelming her senses with the passionate onslaught.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she registered the sound of a cup hitting the pavement.
###
Thanks for reading English Breakfast - I hope you enjoyed the story! This one has already been heavily revised, so the edited, polished version will be quite different than the one you just read (better, I think). English Breakfast will be available for purchase in digital format on August 16, 2013 from your favorite online vendor.
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 |
English Breakfast, Part 13
A week later, Karen stood on the sidewalk in the cool early-morning air and watched the wrecking crews tear down what was left of her tea bar. Heather’s story had gone to press the day after they were rescued, and Charles Industries had been raided in one of the largest inter-agency busts ever in the city. Heather had agreed to go into witness protection, and she’d convinced her friend to go as well, so the only thing left was the trial.
A loud boom made Karen wince as the last concrete wall went down. The insurance had agreed to cover most of the loss, and between that and the check Stetson Security had cut her for her help with the case, she’d be able to rebuild. It wouldn’t be as nice as the original, and some corners would have to be cut. But since she’d be working two jobs for awhile, she might be able to make it work, as long as Kane kept his promise to keep her hacking assignments and his security guys far away from her shop.
“How are you holding up?” Patrick came up beside her, holding a steaming cup. She took it, sniffing the earthy aroma and then taking a careful sip.
“English Breakfast - your favorite. You know I prefer Yunnan, right?”
He shrugged, continuing to watch the work. “I know. I was hoping it would grow on you.” His lips curved up in a slow grin, and she took another small sip.
“It’s not bad, I suppose. A little pretentious, maybe. Outside my comfort zone, for sure.”
Her heart picked up, a warmth that wasn’t necessarily from the tea infusing her body. Could she get used to this? To him? They were so different, and different was...difficult. The last time had ended in disaster, one that she took full responsibility for. Why would he want to risk that again? Why would she?
“It’s hot enough though, right?” He struggled to keep a straight face, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
Looking down at the cup, she was all too aware of his gaze on her warm cheeks.
“Yes, it’s definitely hot enough. Maybe a little too hot, actually.” A giggle escaped her lips, and she kept her head down, watching his feet move in front of her. When his hands closed around her arms, she looked up, meeting his sparkling gaze with her own.
“I think...” he reached out to caress the side of her face with one hand, “...that you should give this another chance. And just to be clear, I’m not talking about tea, Karen. My feelings haven’t changed. I still love you as much now as I loved you when you broke my heart. Give me another shot.”
With gentle pressure he pulled her forward, and she knew he was giving her time to stop. To back away. To toss the tea in his face.
So help her, she couldn’t.
His kiss was soft, sweet, with a hint of earthy bitterness reminiscent of the tea he’d brought her. She moved closer, her arms wrapping around his neck as his hands pulled her tight against his body and his lips devoured hers.
Home. She was home.
Coming up for air, he leaned back slightly, a twinkle in his eye as he smiled down at her.
“You do realize that dropping the tea would have been romantic, right?”
She laughed, shaking her head. “And waste good tea? I thought we just agreed not to do that!”
Then he kissed her again, overwhelming her senses with the passionate onslaught.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she registered the sound of a cup hitting the pavement.
###
Thanks for reading English Breakfast - I hope you enjoyed the story! This one has already been heavily revised, so the edited, polished version will be quite different than the one you just read (better, I think). English Breakfast will be available for purchase in digital format on August 16, 2013 from your favorite online vendor.
Enjoy
this post? Support your author:
Romantic Suspense
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