Private Parts. Tori Carrington

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СКАЧАТЬ looked at his watch. Troy was as anxious as he was for the other three men scheduled to join them for breakfast to arrive. Because it meant that they were that much closer to the meeting they were to have with Philippidis at the mill offices later that morning.

      The old cowbell above the door clanged. Troy glanced over his shoulder. It wasn’t any of their three breakfast mates. It was a woman in black, close-fitting running pants and an oversize University of Oregon sweatshirt, looking more fit than he felt, her blond hair twisted into a knot at the back of her neck. She stripped the sweatshirt off, revealing the clingy tank she wore underneath.

      Troy’s gaze drifted over her nicely outlined curves. From her calves, up past her firm thighs, her rounded hips and then to where her breasts were two perfect half-globes under the damp fabric.

      “Good morning!” Verna called out from the kitchen window. “Take a seat anywhere.”

      The latest addition was slightly out of breath as she voiced her thanks and chose the booth behind Troy, causing his seat to jostle a bit. He nearly spilled the coffee he was holding.

      “Sorry,” she said.

      “No problem.”

      Troy looked to find Ari grinning at him.

      “What?”

      His brother shook his head. “Did I say anything? Because I don’t think I did.”

      Troy grimaced. Since when had it become a crime to appreciate a woman’s form? Especially seeing as it had been so long since he’d allowed himself the luxury. That and there hadn’t been much opportunity. When you lived in the same small town you’d grown up in, and knew just about everyone, it was hard to stare at a woman’s breasts and think of anything having to do with sex. It seemed a bit too … incestuous somehow, considering you knew her husband and kids and her parents and grandparents, not to mention that she used to wear braces or had a habit of drinking one beer too many on Friday nights at the pub.

      Although he did have to admit he’d found himself doing exactly that lately, ogling the locals. How long had it been since he’d been on a proper date? Screw proper, when was the last time he’d lost himself in the scent of a woman’s neck? Buried himself in her sweet flesh? Far longer than he cared to admit. And his body was apparently no longer willing to allow him to ignore it.

      Just as soon as he got this contract nailed down, he’d dust off his little black book and call up a willing female or two in Seattle and go out on a date, he promised himself.

      “Oh, you are in a sorry state, aren’t you?” Ari asked. “How long has it been, anyway?” His dark brows rose high on his forehead. “Please don’t tell me since Gail.”

      Troy squinted at him and leaned forward, indicating that he should lower his voice. With so few customers in the place, there was little doubt the woman behind him had heard what his brother had said.

      “Later,” he muttered.

      “Well, that’s the problem, isn’t it, bro? It’s always later with you.” Ari leaned forward as well, but he didn’t lower his voice. “Face it, you need to get laid.”

      The woman coughed. Troy looked to find her in the middle of sipping a glass of water, the contents of which she nearly spewed across the table in front of her.

      “Cute,” he muttered. “Very cute.”

      “Just sayin’,” Ari said with a shrug.

      Diner owner Verna Burns, who was also serving as the waitress, approached the woman’s table and offered her coffee from the pot she held. Judging by the sounds, the woman accepted.

      “Oh, Ari?” Verna said. “Thank Elena for that platter of baklava for me, will you? It was gone within a blink. Everyone loves it.”

      Before his brother could tell her he would pass on her sentiments to his fiancée, the telephone began ringing in the back of the diner. Verna hurried off to answer it with an apology.

      “Elena’s making baklava for the diner?” Troy asked.

      Ari’s grin disappeared. “She’s still interested in buying the place.”

      “And apparently you’re still against it.”

      “We’re going to have a baby in three months. How is she going to handle that and this place?”

      “Women have been balancing both since the beginning of time, Ari.”

      “Yeah, well.”

      Troy felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to look into their neighbor’s amused face. Her green eyes were bright, her cheeks brushed with color, her mouth full and smiling. “I’m sorry. Can I bother you for a little sugar?” she asked.

      Oh, he’d like to give her a little sugar, all right.

      “Sure.” Troy picked up the container and handed it to her, noting that her nails were neat and manicured, white half moons on the tips.

      “Thanks.”

      He refused to look at Ari as he turned back, but couldn’t ignore his quiet chuckle.

      “Not a word,” he muttered.

      “Pardon me?” the woman asked.

      “What? Oh. I’m sorry. I was talking to my brother.”

      “I see. I’m sorry to bother you again, but is that fresh cream there on your table? If it is, it’s much better than this powdered stuff.”

      It took Troy a moment to process her request. When he reached for the cream, Ari was holding it out for him. He took it and nearly spilled the contents on the woman because he wasn’t paying attention.

      “Sorry,” he said.

      “No harm, no foul,” she said with that same knowing smile.

      “Good going, hot shot,” his brother said.

      Troy glared at him.

      The woman again. “I suppose since we’re having coffee together, I might as well introduce myself.” She held out a slender hand. “Kendall Banks.”

      He shook her hand. “Troy Metaxas. This is my brother Ari. Although I’m considering disowning him.”

      She laughed as she shook Ari’s hand, as well.

      “Ah, the famous Metaxas brothers. Nice to meet you both.”

      “Are you from here?” Ari asked, much to Troy’s chagrin.

      “No, no. Just visiting your fine town.”

      “Staying at Foss’s Bed and Breakfast?”

      “Yes. How did you know? Oh. Never mind. It’s probably the only place in town, isn’t it?”

      “Yes, it is.”

      “Where СКАЧАТЬ