“F-for your order. I need a name.”
“Oh, right.” She shook her head and laughed. “Faye.”
“I’ll bring it over to you when it’s ready. Take a seat.”
Faye left the counter and took a seat in the window. Talia assumed it to be her preferred spot since she’d been sat there on Friday morning too. But it was a good spot. You could see the people going about their business from that table, and there was a great view of the city.
A few minutes later when Faye’s order was ready, Talia cleared her throat and approached the table. Faye had to realise who she was sooner or later, but Talia didn’t have the heart to tell her. Faye seemed quiet, perhaps timid. She looked as though she preferred her own company, always lost in thought as she sat behind her laptop. Hidden away—that’s how Talia felt about Faye. As though she wanted to be hidden away.
I don’t know why. She’s absolutely gorgeous.
She had the cutest dimples Talia had ever seen on another woman and stunning blue eyes. When she smiled, her entire face lit up and made Talia’s heart jump ever so slightly. But Faye wouldn’t be interested in someone like her. Talia knew it without a shadow of a doubt.
Faye’s blonde hair whipped around her face as Talia cleared her throat. “Your order.”
“Oh, thank you.” Faye’s full smile melted Talia. This woman really had no idea who she was.
And maybe that was for the best. She didn’t expect to see Faye at the club again; she’d noted the disinterest in her eyes as she took her hand and guided her to a private room. She’d heard the tremble in her voice as Talia straddled her lap. The uncertainty was palpable in that room on Friday.
Talia noted the paperback sitting on the table, just as it had on Friday morning. “Did you read it?”
“Oh, I’ve read it many times,” Faye said, glancing up at Talia as she stirred her cappuccino.
And then Talia put two and two together.Faye Holmes.
“Wait! Are you…her?” She nodded towards the book. “This is your work, isn’t it?”
“That is me, yes.”
“Wow.”Oh, God. I gave a bestselling author a lap dance.Talia didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “It was amazing.”
“Thank you.” Faye lowered her eyes, her cheeks red.
“I have to say, I didn’t expect the woman who wrotethatkinda stuff to look like you.”
Faye lowered her eyes. “I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean.”
“It’s…raunchy.” And it really was. Talia didn’t often blush, and she had no qualms with discussing sex, but that book had really done a number on her. She would also admit to some one-handed reading throughout the turning of those delicious pages.
Faye barked a laugh. “It’s also fiction.”
Oh, now now, little miss butter wouldn’t melt, Talia thought, fighting back a grin. “Fair enough. Well, it was a great read, anyway. Looking forward to more.”
“You’ll be lucky,” Faye said, relaxing back in her seat. “If I don’t get some work done soon, there won’tbeanymore.”
Talia held up a hand, backing away.You’ve told her how you felt about it, now get out of her way. “Apologies, I’ll let you be.”
“Oh, no. I didn’t mean—” Faye exhaled a breath. “Sorry. I wasn’t implying that you were interrupting me.”
“It’s okay. I should probably get back to work anyway.” Talia threw a thumb over her shoulder.
“Hey, Talia?” There was an edge to Faye’s voice this time. Perhaps a hesitation.
Great. She’s realised who I am.She swallowed and then perked herself up. “Y-yeah?”
“Do you have a break coming up at all?”
She turned her watch towards herself. “In an hour.”