Free Anything For You by Kaydence Macy

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER ONE
     
     
    “ Alex! Hi. Haven’t seen you in a while.”
    Leslie Caffon enjoyed her weekly visit from the se xy owner of the security firm next door, and she hadn’t seen him in more than three weeks. He strode into her store as if he owned the place, and as usual, her heart began to race and her palms grew sweaty. Damn but he was gorgeous. At five-five she wasn’t short, but he towered over her. Dark brown hair, tight square jaw, thick lips, and gorgeous blue eyes that pierced straight through her as if he could see right into her heart.
    Yum.
    Her breath hitched and she looked away before she gave him a reason to pull her short skirt up and fuck her like she wanted him to. Far too many times she’d come so close to doing just that. He’d asked her out on numerous occasions, and as much as she wanted to say yes, she just couldn’t. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them. Inwardly sighing, she plastered a large smile on her face.
     
    “Hey gorgeous.” Alex Taylor set a large cup of coffee on the counter and took a sip from another cup in his hand, his eyes locked on her the entire time.
    “ Oh my God, you have no idea how much I need this right now.” Leslie ignored the way he gazed at her as if she were the only woman left on the planet. She grabbed the cup and took a long drink, closed her eyes,  and groaned. Giving up her love of Starbucks was really starting to bite her in the ass. But better to do it now rather than wait until she was pregnant. She certainly didn’t need hormones competing with caffeine withdrawal.
     
    Alex had been coming into the shop for months now, each week, hoping the she would say yes to his invitations to dinner. He still didn’t understand why she would never agree. She seemed to like him, and from what he’d learned she hadn’t dated anyone in almost a year.
    Her long brown curls, small curvy body, and clear green eyes c alled to him. He’d had more than a handful of erotic dreams about the bookstore owner. He was tired of waiting.
    His mouth watered and his erection grew a little more when she groaned. He wanted her making those noises for him, in his bed. Not because of a damn cup of coffee! He wanted to grab her and kiss her until she was writhing…
    He looked around the shop in an effort to control his thoughts, and the raging hard-on in his jeans.
    “So. Been busy this morning?”
    “ Um, yeah, a little more than normal.” Leslie walked along the long counter. Several brochures on artificial insemination lay there in plain sight. Glancing over, she realized he was following her as they talked, no more than a step behind. Even with the counter separating them, she’d have to move fast.
    “ Busy tonight?” His voice was casual, yet interested.
    Leslie stopped and turned to face him. “Alex, we’ve been through this. I can’t.”
    Leaning on the wood counter, Alex reached out and tucked a curl that had fallen down from the haphazard bunch on top of her head, behind her ear. “I know. What you won’t tell me is why.”
    They both knew the chemistry was there. Hell, it was like watching a live wire sparking whenever they were in the same room together. Even her friend and part-time employee, Angie, c ould see it.
    She shook her head. “I have plans Alex. And they don’t involve you.”
    “ Who then?”
    “No one. Listen, Alex, I’m sorry, but I just can’t right now. Thanks for the coffee but I need to…” she broke off as he snatched the brochure and forms she’d picked up from the counter out of her hands.
    “ Hey! What the hell Alex!”
    Alex looked at the brochure he held, then the forms she ’d already completed and signed. He met her furious eyes, his own sparking with anger. Was this why she kept refusing to go out with him?
    It didn ’t take but a second to make the decision. If that’s what she wanted, fine. He could work with that. But not this way. He glared back at her, then watched as her eyes widened in