Stella Diner edition by Nikki James Literature Fiction eBooks

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He must have been barmy to think this was a good idea. Absolutely raving mad! What had he been thinking earlier? Oh, that’s right—he wasn't. James shifted in the sticky red booth and twisted toward a window of passing traffic. He’d moved from London to Bloomington only a month ago, but ending his night at Stella’s quickly became a ritual. He took a drag from his electronic cigarette. Water vapor and nicotine were no substitute for the real thing, but he had been trying to quit. He sipped a mug of black coffee. Waiting.

Tonight had been far more interesting than any this past month, certainly more eventful than planned. His mind drifted to the enterprising young woman he met at the bar earlier. James wanted to go home and collapse into his mattress but decided to wait a little longer. If the girl showed up, all the waiting would be worth his while. He’d worked out her situation quickly and made plans to meet up with her later. Here, at Stella’s.

James half hoped she meant what she said but wouldn’t be heartbroken if the chick decided not to turn up. He’d never paid for sex before. Why start now? Easy. She was gorgeous! Cliché as it was, he’d noticed her across the room, and everyone else just faded into background noise.

Through the dim light, his eyes had met hers over the rim of his lowball glass. The hot, young blonde worked her game. She had no interest in the bloke she chatted up but played along like a pro. The guy didn't notice. The john-to-be touched her arm, and the blonde broke their spellbinding eye contact. James watched her lean close to the other man and whisper.

Several minutes later, as nonchalant as she could possibly manage, she sashayed toward him. This type of thing wasn’t his cup of tea, and that’s what he told her. When they made the plans to meet up later, he honestly had no intention of showing. Not for lack of interest, he just didn't pick up women like this. Hell, she could’ve been undercover or something, trying to arrest horny men from the bar.

Her satiny blonde hair twirled out of her face as she flipped her head to the side, eyeing him. “You know Stella’s?”

“I know it,” he’d answered.

He blew out a plume of smoke. So, here he was, sitting in the diner waiting for this bombshell Cinderella to appear and turn his world upside down, for one very pricey night at least.

Mandy, the waitress, came round to his table to fill his coffee cup again. The dark liquid swirled, contrasting with the off-white mug. James realized she’d been talking to him, but he hadn’t heard a word.

“I’m sorry, love, what was that?”

“I just asked if you ever go home.” She smirked. The look on her slightly worn face told him that wasn’t actually what she’d said. Must have been good if she wouldn’t repeat it; too bad he hadn’t heard her comment.

“It would seem not.” He smiled at her. “Thanks for the warm-up, sweetheart.”

His eyes swept over hers. Mandy’s brown eyes dilated as he spoke. That happened a lot when he spoke to women; as soon as they heard the throaty British accent, they were putty in his hand—if he wanted.

“No problem, sugar. Lemme know if you need anything else, ‘kay?”

He nodded.

Mandy twisted and gave him a little shrug as she abandoned him for other tables. James turned back to the window and let his mind wander. Was she out there somewhere on her way to him? And how stupid was he to sit here and wait?

James had balked at his father when he insisted he come stay here with him for a while. His ailing father wanted to spend time with his children, so James couldn't refuse. He assumed the move would be rather uneventful. He definitely hadn’t counted on anything like this happening.

He watched a line of cars pass; none stopped. Not her.

James closed his eyes, and the most incredible, cornflower-blue eyes he’d ever seen filled his memory. He sighed. What a bloody idiot, sitting in a booth waiting for a woman he would actually have to pay to fuck.

He took a long drag of his cigarette. “C’est la vie.”

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