Page 3 of Conquered

Chapter 2

The morning breeze felt good on his face. It cleared the cobwebs of frustrations clinging to his memory of the council’s rebuff. He inhaled stubbornly. It was an obstacle he would conquer his own way.

He stepped on the pedal and sensed the car obey his every command. Being in control was more like it. He relished the sensation. The hum of the powerful engine was like a balm that soothed his soul. He had no particular destination in mind, just a strong urge to get away. He had no idea how long he was driving until he recognized the familiar landmarks of Queens.

Hunter glanced at his watch; It was much too early to find a decent place to have breakfast. He waited for the traffic light to turn green and turned left in the next block. He saw that most of the stores were still closed but noticed a window decal that said Eats Well Café and almost passed it. Hunter reversed the car and backed up slowly, certain that the door to the café was ajar.

Thanking the heavens for his luck, Hunter parked the car and stepped out into the sidewalk. The café was small by city standards, but it was open and that was all that mattered. He entered and was immediately assailed by the smell of freshly baked bread.

A girl was standing by the counter with her back towards him. Her arms were moving vigorously like she was doing a weird exercise until he noticed the she was working on some dough.

“Ahem, excuse me,” Hunter cleared his throat.

No response. Was she deaf?

Then suddenly, for some strange reason, she rolled her hips from side to side. Hunter was taken aback until he noticed the earbuds. She was dancing to some music only she could hear. Then she giggled.

Hunter smiled to himself. He didn’t want to frighten her. Besides, it was pleasantly stimulating, almost erotic, the way she moved her body. He couldn’t see the rest of her face but he approved of the dark hair that cascaded to a wide shoulder and sloped down to a narrow waistline. And the sound of her soft laughter was melodious to hear.

***

Noelle swayed lightly to the music in her ears. Kenny G on saxophone never failed. The stirring sound of the metal wind instrument came through the earbuds in clear melodic tones. If Noelle were to decide whom in the world she could marry, Kenny G would definitely top the list. She could lose herself listening to his music that evoked sentimental memories of a time when loving came easily.

Noelle would be the first to admit that when it came to love, she sucked big time. Her first experience with love was not only traumatic but she considered herself lucky to have come out of it physically unscathed. The only good thing that came out of that one was her son Nikko. However, the emotional scars that remained stopped her from having another relationship.

She kneaded the dough working it between her fingers as Kenny blasted away in her ears. In her mind, sax and baking made strange bedfellows that worked. She swayed her hips to the sound; her body moving sinuously while she giggled at the image in her head.

An hour more to go until opening and this dough was the last of its batch. Noelle was pleased. The rest of the batch was inside the oven. She wouldn’t run out of bread today.

Satisfied that the dough was ready, she poured extra-virgin olive oil into a baking pan and spread it all over the bottom. She then transferred the dough mix into the pan before sprinkling anise and nuts on top. Grabbing the pan she turned around, intent on heading for the oven.

She froze in her tracks and stifled a scream. The earbuds popped out of her ears. A man was watching her, slouched by the counter, one side of the hips rested by wall, elbow leaning casually against the counter. He broke into a grin seeing the look of shock on her face.

The synapses inside Noelle’s brain went into overdrive as it processed information about the stranger.

First, he didn’t mean her any harm. She was certain of that, even if his presence reduced her to a dummy. And that smile. It was calculated to revive anyone in a coma. Or send one into suspended animation, exactly the state she was in now.

Second, the eyes were a darker shade of blue, almost cerulean, like the shallow part of the ocean. And right now, the look was sardonic, consistent with the smile that was almost mocking.

Third, the hair was a neutral hue of darker brown. It was styled in a comb over, long on top and shorter at the sides, hinting at a classic look or a version that would appeal to whatever job he was in. Noelle didn't really care. She wanted to run a hand through those locks.

Fourth, he was well built. The thin V-necked tee shirt wasn’t enough to hide the hint of a six-pack on a wide torso. A sprinkling of chest hair was visible from the V. Despite the fog in her brain, Noelle wondered if the chest hair followed a natural course and narrowed down to a “happy trail.”

Fifth, he had long lean legs clad in faded jeans that ended perfectly just below the ankle and continued on to white sneakers with knots tied in a hip street style.

He was perfect…

And gorgeous…

And was walking towards her.

“Hello, my name is Hunter and I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“How did you…” Noelle glanced at the door and realized it was open.

I must have left it when I brought Miranda inside.

She looked at him and realized he had extended his hand in greeting. She rubbed the back of her palms in the seat of her pants and reached out to shake the proffered hand. He had a warm and firm clasp.