Free Raw Desire by Kate Pearce

gaze drifted back along the cluster of tables, she realized that she’d become the focus of some attention. She caught her name being whispered, and several pairs of eyes swung in her direction. With all the grace she could muster, she willed herself to look forward and ignore her growing sense of unease.
    Why did it take so long to order coffee these days? Why did everyone have to have these crazy-ass complicated specials? At last she hit the front of the line and smiled at the woman behind the counter, who thankfully she’d never met. The woman had the name NADIA embroidered on the top of her blue apron and appeared to be in her late forties.
    â€œHi, I’d like a small coffee, please.”
    â€œJust coffee?”
    â€œYes, please.”
    Ally dug out her small pile of coins, handed them over, and waited for the woman to get her coffee. “Thanks.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    Ally turned and headed for the station where the milk and sugar were provided. She was just about to reach for the milk when someone collided with her, spilling the hot coffee all over her hand and down her leg.
    With a hiss of pain, Ally dropped the half-empty cup on the table and grabbed a handful of napkins to blot the worst of it away. She thanked God she was wearing jeans.
    â€œOh, sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
    Ally looked up into the sneering face of Pauline Jones, one of her old classmates. “Yeah, right.”
    â€œAre you suggesting it was deliberate? What are you going to do? Call the cops on me?”
    Ally tipped cold water out of a jug onto a bunch of paper napkins and placed them on the heated flesh of her hand.
    Pauline tittered. “Oh, no, you won’t do that, will you, because Rob Ward’s not exactly going to help you out, is he?”
    Ally ignored Pauline and concentrated on soothing the raging pain in her hand. Somehow it was easier to deal with that rather than facing yet another confrontation. She was still shaking from her encounter with Lauren. Vaguely, Ally wondered if the woman behind the counter had some ice and whether she’d let her have any.
    She jumped when a familiar voice behind her said, “Here you go, Ms. Kendal.” A jiffy bag full of ice appeared over her shoulder, and she pressed it against her throbbing skin.
    Rob kept his hand on her arm as he spoke to Pauline. “Now, what were you saying, Ms. Jones? Are you admitting that you deliberately dumped coffee on Ms. Kendal, because whatever you think of me, if you’ve committed a crime, I’ll do my duty whoever the victim is.”
    Ally swallowed hard. “It’s all right, Sheriff. I’m sure it was an accident.”
    Pauline made a rude noise and turned on her heel. She left the coffee shop, followed by two other women who looked vaguely familiar. Rob took Ally’s elbow and maneuvered her into the chair Pauline had vacated.
    â€œAre you all right, Ms. Kendal? Do you want me to call an ambulance for you?”
    â€œPlease don’t. I don’t have health insurance, but thanks for the thought.” She resettled the bag of ice over her hand. “I’m sure I’ll be fine in a moment.”
    Rob hesitated beside her and then turned back into the crowd. Ally didn’t watch him go; she just concentrated on mastering the pain in her hand and the sickness Pauline’s openly confrontational attitude had started. She’d been a fool to come back here. A fool.
    â€œMs. Kendal?”
    She looked up to find the woman who’d served her the coffee offering her a fresh bag of ice. “Thanks,” Ally said. “I’m sorry about the mess.”
    â€œThat’s not a problem.” Nadia indicated Ally’s hand. “Are you all right?”
    â€œI’m sure I’ll be fine. It just caught the back of my hand, so not much damage done.”
    Nadia reached forward and patted her shoulder. “Now you just sit there and make sure