Lost and Found (Masters & Mercenaries: The Forgotten #2)(33)

She might never see him again, and that was a good thing because she wasn’t falling madly in love with some guy she’d met two minutes ago.

Jogging down the steps, she felt a smile slide across her face. It really had been good.

Maybe that had been her problem the first time. She’d equated commitment with happiness because that was what she’d grown up with. Not everyone got a happy marriage, and it seemed harder to find it when two careers came into play.

So maybe for her, happiness would be found in good work and good friends, and the occasional hot night with a guy she liked.

No commitment. No ties. No promises that could be broken.

The heavenly scent of coffee hit her. She loved the city, loved the fact that she had everything she needed within walking distance.

The new girl was standing behind the counter. It was too early for the café to be truly busy. She walked right up when she would normally spend ten minutes in line.

Nina smiled at her. “No fat latte?”

She had that every single morning of her life. It was simpler to have a usual order. Sometimes she got lost in choosing and wasted tons of time.

But the night before something had changed inside her. It had been good to break out of her shell. She wouldn’t stand here and debate calories. What sounded good?

“What’s your favorite?”

Nina’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, uhm, I love the caramel latte, actually. It’s got great flavor. It’s not too sweet.”

“I’ll take that.” New things. She was going to try new things.

“I’ll have whatever she’s having,” a deep voice said.

A shiver of pure desire went through her because there was no mistaking that voice. He was behind her. Owen. Deep breath. This didn’t have to be awkward.

Why should it be awkward? She wasn’t ashamed of what they’d done. She didn’t have to live by some stupid society rules that said sex had to happen one way or she turned into a slut while he was more of a man.

She liked him. He’d been nice to her, really nice to her. She turned, giving him a warm smile. “Hey, Owen. How are you?”

He was gorgeous. Ridiculously gorgeous. The man was so hot, every woman in the place was looking his way.

And that was another reason to keep this light.

He smiled down at her, his stunning eyes sparkling in the early morning light. “I slept well last night despite the fact that it was my first night in a new place. I managed to unpack a bit and went to sleep with no problem. I wonder why.”

For the same reason she’d slept like a baby. “I’m glad I could help. So you live in the building? Somehow we didn’t cover that. I’m on seven. I suspect you took over the Holder’s place. They were nice and quiet. Everyone likes a quiet neighbor.”

He put a hand over his heart as though making a sacred vow. “I promise to keep all my keggers on mute.”

“See that you do. Well, you got to know the building properly then if the first thing that happened was the elevator died on you,” she replied, already feeling warm and comfy with him. He was easy to talk to. “Hopefully you don’t have the plumbing problems I have. I swear I would move, but I’m super close to the station and to work.”

“At the research place,” he said as though trying to remember the details. “Houseman?”

“Huisman. It’s named after the family that founded it,” she explained. “I work with one of the sons.”

“Owen works with people, too,” a deep voice said. There was a hint of Western drawl to this one. He was all American, with dark hair that was a tiny bit shaggy but did nothing to hide his obvious masculinity. If he hadn’t been standing next to Owen, she would have found him devastatingly attractive. As it was, she acknowledged his handsomeness but couldn’t quite take her eyes off the Scot.

Owen winced, but his lips ticked up in a heartbreaking grin. “This is my mate, Robert McClellan. We’re sharing the flat for now. We worked together back in London before we took the transfer here. It’s only for a couple of months while we decide where we want to live. Apart. I’m just saying I’ll have my own place soon.”

Robert coughed, obviously covering his amusement. “I think he’s trying to explain that he’s not a thirty-six-year-old man who needs a roommate to cover half the rent.”

“Oh, I was thinking it must be nice to have someone to talk to when you come home at night.” She didn’t even have a pet. She’d started talking to her plants.

He shuddered as though she’d said something distasteful. “We’re mates, love. The most we say to each other is pass the beer. Do you mind if we join you?”

Oh, if she sat down with him, she might not get back up. She had to view him as an indulgence. “Sorry. I’m on my way into work.” She took the coffee from Nina and handed her the payment. It was definitely time to head out. “It was good to see you, Owen, and nice to meet you, Robert.”

Surprise was stamped on his handsome face.

She bet he didn’t get the brushoff often. He was likely used to women falling all over themselves the minute he walked in the door, and there was the slightest satisfaction that she could put that look on his face.

“Hey, I was hoping we could maybe have dinner tonight,” he offered.

Going out with him would likely be a mistake. Despite their incredible sexual chemistry, she knew they didn’t have a ton in common. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t see him again. She would likely see him a lot, and that was why she needed to keep her distance now. “I have plans tonight. Maybe some other time.”