The Criminal and the Wolf Read online

  “Hello. Can I help you?”

  Clayton glanced up, the voice taking him completely by surprise. A second ago nobody had been standing behind the counter. Now a girl stood there smiling at him. She had long, red hair pinned away from her face and off her shoulders. A light dusting of freckles across her nose was cute. It made her look mischievous, like a water nymph in one of the paintings his mother had bought and hung in the hallway. “Can I get a coffee?”

  The girl leaned forward and her smile widened. “That’s what we do. Any particular preferences, or do you just want it black?”

  Clayton never described himself as a cheerful person. Most days he’d cross the street to avoid someone like that, not wanting to buy whatever they were selling. Why couldn’t he just wallow in the mean and moody persona he’d spent years mastering? Yet, the girl opposite him didn’t make him immediately want to hide. He gave her his order and watched as she got to work. Her knee-length black skirt shouldn’t have been sexy, but Clayton liked how it highlighted the curve of her hips and shapely legs. A playful energy filled her. As she hummed she swayed her hips, and the skirt swished around her legs. Clayton glanced up to see her gaze on him. Her lips curved into a knowing smile. Had she seen him checking her out?

  She handed the black takeaway cup over. “Can I get anything else for you?”

  How about your name, your number, and are you free this Saturday? He stopped himself short of saying it. Cute and playful wasn’t his type. “No, that’s fine.”

  “Are you sure? The cookies are fresh this morning. I’ll tell you what—” She picked one up and slipped it into a small bag bearing the shop name. “Have one of these, on the house. I guarantee one bite and you’ll be back for more.” She placed them all together and typed in his order. Clayton really didn’t want the cookie but got the feeling if he refused he might hurt her feelings. From any other girl that wouldn’t have been a problem, but that soft little smile and her obvious good mood was infectious. “That’ll be two pounds, fifty.”

  He rooted inside his pocket for his wallet and handed the money over. “Are you Lucy?” It was a wild guess, but he didn’t want to leave without knowing her name.

  “What?” She glanced down at her t-shirt. “Damn, I forgot my badge again.” She handed the change back to him. As his fingers brushed against her palm, a jolt went through him. Clayton nearly groaned as an erotic image played through his mind. One where they wore a lot less clothes. She kept talking. “No, Lucy was my grandmother. This used to be her shop before I took over. I’m Lily Collins, and you?”

  “Clayton Heaton. Thanks for the cookie.” The redhead had completely thrown him for a loop. He certainly didn’t feel like himself around her. “I’ll be in later as well.”

  “You’re supposed to eat the cookie before you become addicted to them.” Lily grinned at him.

  “Actually, I’m going to be performing outside. I hope you like guitar music. I’m going to be here for a few hours.” Clayton gestured to his case. He’d actually used the guitar-playing card as a chat up line. Girls seemed to like the idea of a struggling, moody player who whispered lyrics as if delivering their own personal serenade.

  It didn’t get the response he expected. Her eyes widened. The playful look vanished like it had never been there to begin with. “That’s great. I better get this place ready for the breakfast rush. Good luck out there.” She rubbed her hands on her black apron, which was nearly invisible against the skirt she wore, and vanished back through the archway without a backward glance in his direction.

  For a second he stood there dumbfounded, the coffee cup and small bag in his hand. A part of him wanted to chase after her. To figure out what he’d said wrong. Girls didn’t usually make such a resounding impression on him, but she had. Clayton shook his head. He didn’t have time, and he certainly didn’t have any right to follow her. He’d end up freaking her out.

  There was always later. Now that he’d met Lily Collins, Clayton wanted to know more about her.

  End of sample chapter

  www.evernightpublishing.com/guitars-and-cupcakes-by-ella-grey