Free Raw Desire by Kate Pearce Page A

you feel all better. I’ll get you another cup of coffee.”
    Ally didn’t argue. She was quite happy to wait for the shop to return to normal and for everyone to stop staring at her like she had risen from the dead or something. Rob took the seat opposite and pushed a paper bag over to her.
    â€œHere. Eat something.”
    Ally peered inside the bag and saw a chunky blueberry muffin topped with sugar crystals. Her mouth watered at the sight, and she ripped open the bag and slowly peeled back the paper case.
    â€œLet me help.” Rob reached across and broke the muffin in half, right through the middle, and handed her the bottom part. “I know how you like it.”
    â€œI always eat the boring part first.”
    He smiled. “And save the best until last.”
    â€œUnless you got to it first.”
    â€œI never did get that ‘saving it’ thing.”
    His voice had a soothing quality that helped Ally relax a little. “I’d forgotten about Pauline. I can’t believe she’s still hanging around with the same two losers from high school.”
    â€œI guess some folks find it hard to grow up.”
    â€œObviously.” Ally lifted her chin at him. “I guess you think I should leave before it gets nasty, right?”
    â€œI don’t want to see you get hurt.”
    She met his gaze and found it impossible to guess what he was thinking. Had she done that to him? Had she stripped the sweetness away and left him too emotionally detached to risk another relationship? Or was it just a cop thing? Jill would tell her not to exaggerate her importance in his life, but then Jill had never known Rob.
    â€œBut I can’t leave, Rob. I created most of my own problems, and I’m just going to have to deal with them.”
    â€œEven if you get treated like that?”
    â€œYeah, even then. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and move on. I chose to come back here, and I knew it would be hard.”
    â€œI know all about getting on with life, Ally.”
    She bit her lip. “I suppose you do.”
    He shifted in his seat. “What are you going to do when you sell the house? Go back to New York and model?”
    â€œNope.” She ventured a tentative smile. “I’m planning on going to college.”
    â€œYeah?” He looked genuinely interested. “To do what?”
    She shrugged. “To train to be a teacher. I’ve been helping out with the kids at the YMCA for the last couple of years, and I think that’s what I want to do.”
    â€œYou always wanted to be a teacher.”
    â€œYou remembered.” She met his gaze. “And you always wanted to be a cop.”
    His smile made her smile in return, and she couldn’t look away from his approving gaze. Remembering her plans for the future always made her feel better about herself. Hell, having plans that didn’t involve finding her next fix were amazing. She suddenly felt a lot more hopeful.
    Nadia returned with two large coffees and put them in front of Ally and Rob.
    â€œShe okay, Rob?”
    Rob looked across at Ally for confirmation, and she nodded. “She’s fine, Nadia. Thanks for not making a fuss.”
    Nadia snorted. “I saw what happened. That Pauline deliberately knocked your lady’s elbow.”
    Ally was too shaken to refute the notion that she was Rob’s lady and was way too grateful for the other woman’s kindness. “Thanks for the fresh coffee.”
    â€œWell, I could hardly expect you to lick it off the floor, now, could I?” Nadia winked at her and returned behind the counter.
    â€œShe’s nice,” Ally said as she took another bite of the sweet, tart muffin.
    â€œYeah, she and her husband, Chen Li, bought the place about a year ago. He roasts all his own coffee beans, and she makes all the baked goods.”
    â€œMmm . . .” Ally murmured, and licked the crumbs from her lips. Rob’s gaze