Chapter One
Kida
Dashing into The Spotted Mug as fast as my legs could carry me, I quickly checked myself over as I joined the line. My normally neat, blonde hair was up in a messy bun and fly-aways flicking all over the place, thanks to the drizzle of rain on this cooler than average spring morning. At least my uniform was a tad more presentable. Though I hadn’t had the chance to iron it like I usually did, at least my top was tucked in and my dark skirt wasn’t crinkled.
To say that I was in a hurry may have been an understatement. Sleeping through my alarm meant I was dangerously close to being late for work. My pitstop here was intended as a peace offering for my boss, Gina, my manager, Charlie, and my three colleagues Mara, Ella, and James, who was also my best friend.
As I reached the front of the queue, a tall man in a brown jacket turned with his coffee in his hand. As I tried to get out of his way I stepped on a woman’s toes.
“Hey, watch it.” The woman shoved me forward and I crashed into the exact man I’d been trying to avoid. We both yelped as the cardboard cup crumpled and hot, black liquid drenched both of us.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” I apologized.
“Uh, that’s… okay,” the man stammered in a deep, posh, English accent. “I’m sure it wasn’t your fault.” He glared at the culprit over my head for a moment then when he dropped his his line of sight back down to me his eyes widened. “I’m terribly sorry, I’ve ruined your top.” He grabbed a wad of napkins and handed them to me. “Here.”
The same woman shouted at us as I took them from him. “Hey. If you’re not going to order, move. Some of us are in a hurry.”
My cheeks flushed with anger and with another glare, the man took my elbow and gently pulled me aside.
“Why do people have to be such dicks, sometimes?” I grumbled under my breath. I pressed the napkins to my shirt in a futile attempt to scrub off some of the coffee.
“Tell me about it,” the man agreed.
When I looked at him properly for the first time, I was stunned by his extremely good looks. His square, unshaven jaw, dark hair and mismatched blue-brown eyes all definitely worked in his favor.
“We mustn’t let people like that get to us. Don’t worry about her.”
It was moments like this that made me want to hide amongst the plush cushions of the red comfy chair in the back of the cafe.
“Miss?”
Snapping myself out of my longing, I turned my attention back to him.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” the man asked.
“Fine,” I mumbled, eyes downcast. “I’m such a klutz.”
“To be fair, it is pretty crowded here, and I didn’t completely escape injury.” He indicated the splatter on his cotton polo shirt.
Although I tried not to look further than the coffee stain, it was obvious how fit he was under his henley.
“I hope this isn’t too forward, but may I?”
“What?” I asked.
He indicated the cardigan I had hanging over my bag.
Curious, I handed it to him. For someone who was usually protective of my belongings while I was out and about, it struck me as somewhat odd that I was ready to trust this man so easily. But there was something about him—a kindness that made me feel instantly at ease with him.
The man shook out my soft, black sweater and said, “Turn around.” When I hesitated, he reassured me. “It’s all right.”
There it was again, a kindness in his eyes that had me obeying him.
“Now, I’m assuming you don’t have the time to dash home and change,” the handsome stranger said as he slipped one sleeve over my arm.
“No, I don’t,” I admitted.
“This should do for now.” He helped me find the second sleeve.
Goosebumps tracked down my body when his fingers brushed the nape of my neck as he adjusted my collar. Thanking him, I turned around only to find myself inches from him. His pupils dilated and his warm breath tickled my skin. His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “You’re welcome.” His voice oozed with barely restrained desire, like he was trying to restrain himself from me.
Realizing I was staring at him, I lowered my gaze and busied myself with my buttons.
“Um—”
When he spoke again, I looked back up at him.
“They’re slightly crooked.” He indicated my buttons.
Sure enough, I had pushed the first two buttons into the wrong holes. Ugh, this really wasn’t my morning.
I flopped my arms to my sides and managed to smile at him. “So, you’re from England?” It was a fairly prying question, perhaps. But heck, I had to say something to deflect the attention away from my clumsiness.
“Jersey, the Channel Islands,” he told me with a proud smile. “You?”
“Australia.”
“We’re both a long way from home. I’m Miles.” He extended his hand.
“Hi,” I said, placing my hand in his.
As soon as I did, my throat went dry. Where his fingers held my hand, my skin pulsed right along with my heart.
“And you are?” Miles asked.
“Maybe I’ll tell you if I see you here again.” I said, lifting an eyebrow.
Miles was a little surprised by my answer, but he found it intriguing. “Maybe?”
Reluctantly releasing his hand, I backed away from him. “Pretty good chance.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Tomorrow?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Miles’ smile grew bigger and it was as gorgeous as the rest of him. “Did we just organize a date over spilled coffee?”
“The world works in mysterious ways.” My phone buzzed and my glanced down to see a message from Gina:
Where are you?
“Ah, crap.”
Then my father’s name flashed up on the screen as an incoming call. With a smile, I spun away and pressed the phone to my ear. “Hello.” After a moment, I said, “Yes, Dad, I am coming to dinner on Thursday. I wouldn’t miss it.”
Feeling Miles’ gaze on me as I pushed my way out of the café, I wiggled my fingers at him. “Bye, Miles.”
