Still Fine at Forty by Dakota Madison Read Free Book Online Page B

think about taking them to go.”
    I swallowed hard trying not to think about taking his buns back to my hotel room. A year was a really long time to go without sex, or even affection for that matter. As much as Mel wanted me to have a fling, I just couldn’t picture myself actually doing it. As much as I craved male companionship, I wanted it to mean more than a one-night stand. Was that unrealistic at my age? I wondered if I’d ever have a chance at true love again.
    I took a step away from the counter and smiled at Cody. He was the epitome of male perfection: rugged, handsome, strong. Was I the only woman on Earth, who wouldn’t take him home for the night?
    “I’ll get your tea,” he said quickly and the electricity-filled moment between us passed.
    I took a seat near the end of the counter where the young guy had been seated earlier. I watched as the older couple threw away their coffee cups and exited the shop. Cody and I were now the only ones left in the place. I glanced at my watched and saw that it was a few minutes before ten. I wondered what time the place closed.
    Cody placed the hot tea in front of me. “Enjoy,” he said but didn’t linger. He started what seemed like a closing routine, wiping down the counter and putting items away.
    “What time do you close?” I asked.
    He looked up from his work. “Whenever the last customer leaves,” he said and grinned.
    I wondered if I should hurry up and finish so he could go home. My dilemma was solved when he pulled up a stool close to me and asked, “Mind if I join you?”
    “I’d love it,” I said.
    When he sat down, I could feel the energy between us in full force again. I knew it was strange for me to be so overwhelmingly attracted to him so quickly. But there was something about Cody that I found irresistible and I wasn’t sure why. 
    “I hope I wasn’t being too forward with the bun jokes,” he said. “Most women seem to enjoy the innuendos. I sell a lot of buns that way.”
    I bet you do, I thought. I couldn’t help remembering how good his buns looked in those black jeans he wore when we were on the Jeep tour.
    “Any big plans tomorrow?” he asked.
    I shook my head. “Mel already met a man and it’s kind of put a bit of a monkey wrench in our plans. I don’t feel like being a third wheel again. Truth be told, it was a bit awkward at dinner.”
    “I hate to see a woman’s vacation ruined. I don’t have any Jeep tours scheduled for tomorrow and I don’t work here until the evening, so if you don’t have plans, I’d love to take you on a hike.”
    “That sounds great,” I said.
    “If you don’t mind, I’d like to pick you up early. That will give us more time to sightsee.”
    I eyed him. “How early is early?”
    He grinned. “Is eight too early?”
    I shook my head.
    “Then it’s a date.” Much to my surprise, he leaned in and whispered in my ear, “And maybe I’ll bring you my buns for breakfast.”
     
    ***
     
      I was awakened by the sound of pounding on my hotel room door. I glanced over at the clock. It was only 7 a.m. Surely, Mel wasn’t up already. But who else would be pounding on my door?
    I dragged myself from the bed and slugged over to the door. I peeked through the peephole and sure enough, Mel was standing there staring at the door. I unhooked the safety latch and let her in.
    She charged into my room like she was already on a caffeine high.
    “ Marve had a tee time booked and I didn’t feel like driving around in the cart, so I stopped by to see what you were up to,” she said turning toward me.
    I hesitated for a moment and before I could even form a c oherent thought, she continued. “I’m really sorry I haven’t been good company. This was supposed to be a girl’s getaway to cheer you up. I just never expected to meet anyone like Marvin.” She gave me a genuine grin.
    “It’s okay,” I said. “I’m glad to see you so happy.”
    Mel plopped herself on the corner of my bed and made