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me down? Couldn't he take a hint by my slipping out of the motel room before he woke up? I crossed my arms, fighting to keep any desire out of my face.
    “I just wanted to return your name tag and witness the beauty of night once more.”
    My cheeks burned. I was suddenly aware of my black hair curling about my shoulders. He set down my missing name tag on the counter. Was this the action of a creepy stalker or a romantic gesture of a man who had to have searched hard to find this place and return my property? Even if said property was a cheap name tag.
    My heart screamed romantic.
    “Thank you,” I said, reaching out to grab it. His fingers brushed mine. Tingles rippled down my body. My breath quickened. A hot itched formed in my core. I shifted my hips. “Is there anything else?”
    “When do you get off work?”
    “When my shift ends,” I answered. “Would you like to order or would you mind stepping aside so the other customers can be served?”
    Magnus glanced behind him. “I appear to be your sole customer.”
    I smiled. “Then would you order?” Before I lost all sense and told Magnus when I get off work. I could only imagine where that would end.
    Heaving on the sheets, shuddering in passion.
    I swallowed and shifted my hips. I couldn't let that happen. He was dangerous. Remember. Dangerous. Look at his stomach. He has a bandaged wound, and that bruise on his jaw came from being punched. He was fighting. And recently.
    I wanted to kiss that bruise until it was better.
    The itch grew hotter. I was suddenly so aware of my skin touching my clothing and the hairs rising on my arms. “So, what would you like?” I asked. “I can't stand here flirting with the customers. You'll get me in trouble.”
    He leaned over the counter. “Then I would have to swoop in and rescue you again. That seems enticing to me.”
    If I leaned closer, I could kiss those lips. My eyes flicked around the cafe. Gerdie sat at Owen's table, a smile on her face as she watched us. Owen nodded at me. You made your choice. His words echoed in my head. 
    But I hadn't. Having a one night stand, even with a gorgeous Viking like Magnus, wasn't the same as making a choice about dating a guy.
    Why not? my heart seemed to whisper as it hammered away beneath my breasts. Can't you feel that stirring inside of you? When has a man ever made you feel that? 
    Just lust. Nothing more. Passionate, animalistic lust.
    Then why did you feel so safe in his arms? Why do you want to kiss his bruise and make him feel better? That wasn't lust.
    “What do you like?” Magnus asked. “What would you recommend I buy?”
    His question startled me out of my reverie. “Umm...” My mind went blank.
    “What type of latte or espresso do you see me drinking?”
    “Is this like some sort of personality test?” I asked, my mind going blank. What did we serve here? Besides coffee. 
    “Something like that,” he grinned. “When you look at me, what type of coffee do you see?”
    I couldn't help staring at his muscular chest half-revealed by his leather vest before I flicked back up to his hungry, blue eyes. A grin lolled on his lips. A predator's grin, but casual. I could hunt you now, the smile said, but I'm having too much fun watching you squirm.
    God, I wanted him to hunt me. My hips squirmed.
    “Iced dark chocolate mocha with a triple shot of espresso,” I answered without thought.
    “Dark chocolate?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.
    “You're a tough man,” I answered, my words spilling out without thought. I was on pure instinct. “You're strong. Normally, I would say a straight up espresso, no sugar or cream. Black. But, there's more to you than just your tough outside. You're a warrior with a poet lurking in his heart. So you need something more to your coffee. Something sweet and bitter all at the same time. But no whipped cream. Too light and fluffy for you.”
    “Why iced? What does that say about me?”
    “Nothing. It's just a hot, summer