Deep Autumn Heat Read Online Free Page A

pushing her close to her limits, but she wasn’t going to crack. She’d have to shut this thing down before it even got started.
    The kitchen bell brought her thoughts back in line—their order was up. After picking up the waiting food, Lexie placed the steaming plates in front of Seb’s brothers. He was still eating the cake, one agonizingly slow bite at a time, his eyes closed in pleasure.
    She needed to get this man out of her restaurant. Fast.
    She prepared their check and brought it over to their table as soon as they were finished eating. “You gentlemen can pay when you’re ready,” she said, sliding it across the table toward Cole. Despite herself, she snuck a look at Seb, only to realize that he was staring at her. She felt her skin grow hot beneath his gaze.
    “I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot. I just thought you were …” he paused deliberately, “someone else.” Then, he gave her a dangerous smile, small brackets forming around that delicious mouth.
    Before she could stop herself, she smiled at him in return. Then her face froze as she realized what she was doing. Caught off guard, she began to stammer. “Ah, n-no worries. We’re good,” she managed to get out.
    “I’m glad to hear it,” he said. Then he pointed to his empty plate. “This coconut cake is amazing.”
    “Thank you,” Lexie responded automatically, relieved to move on to a safer topic.
    “Do I taste almond extract in here? Is that what gives the flavor that extra depth?”
    The corner of her lip curled up. “It’s a secret,” she said.
    “Is your pastry chef here? Can we talk?”
    “Oh, she’s here. But I don’t think she’ll tell you,” Lexie paused. “In fact, I’m positive shewon’t.”
    “Well, I’d like to talk to her all the same,” Seb pressed.
    “You are.”
    Sebastian gave a start, and then he laughed, a deep, low rumble. “Lady, you are full of surprises.” He smiled sexily at her. “And I like surprises.”
    Before Sebastian could say anything else, Cole pressed several bills into her hand, effectively ending their exchange.
    “All right, everyone,” he said briskly as he got out of the booth. “Breakfast was great. Keep the change, Lexie. We’ll get out of your hair now.” Cole shot a warning look at Seb. “Come on, guys.”
    Lexie pocketed the money, making a mental note to thank Cole later for trying to keep his brother in line. “Val and Cole, a pleasure as always. Theo, nice to meet you. Chef,” she said, “I’m glad you liked the coconut cake.”
    “Oh, I’ll be back for more,” Sebastian said, giving her a wolfish grin as he slid out of the booth. “You can count on it.”
    He’d taken off his leather jacket at some point and the tight T-shirt he had on underneath left little to the imagination. It was stretched taut over his muscular chest, and every nuanced line in his arms was visible. He plucked his jacket off the seat and swung it over his shoulder. Theo slid out of the booth behind him, but she barely even noticed.
    Sebastian placed his free hand on her shoulder, cupping it. Heat seemed to emanate from his fingers. She froze where she stood, her whole body on alert, her entire being focused on the place where their bodies were touching. When his thumb brushed a sensitive area on the side of her neck, a jolt of electricity flowed through her. A feeling much like panic rose up inside. But it wasn’t quite panic. It was something else. Something both dangerous and exciting.
    “I’ll see you later, Lexie Meyers,” he said, letting her name play on his lips. He removed his hand from her shoulder, letting his fingers trail down her arm. When she shivered involuntarily, he smiled. A slow, masculine smile that spoke of dark promises. As if he knew thatshe couldn’t take her eyes off of him, he turned and sauntered lazily toward the door.
    “Sorry,” Val muttered before stalking after Seb and Cole, Theo trailing behind. She watched their broad backs as they left the