Page 8 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

Oliver snickers. “Night, Ell.”

“Night.”

He shuts off the lamp, and within five seconds of darkness, I’m pretty sure I’m drifting off.

Chapter three

Rhett

As the days pass, I notice that Oliver is in a better mood than he normally is—not that he’s ever in a particularly bad one for long. But still, it’s a noticeable difference, and I think I know why.

That pretty barista.Wren.

It’d make some people jealous, but not us. We may have closed our relationship a couple years ago, but it used to be open. It was important to us back then. Now, we have other priorities.

It doesn’t stop us from developing the occasional crush, though, and I’m unsurprised that Oliver’s mind has latched onto Wren. She seems sweet, and she really is quite pretty.

Friday morning, Oliver is practically vibrating with excitement as we walk into the bustling coffee shop. I tuck my unease away, doing my best to tune out the noise. It’s just as busy as it was last week. Some people are working at tables, others are catching up and laughing with friends, and to top it all off, music is drifting from the speakers.

An environment like this is the kind that Oliver thrives in. In fact, the second the door shuts behind us, he perks up. Although thatmightbe because Wren shoots a smile our way before turning back to the drink she’s making.

There’s a short line, and Wren alternates between taking orders and making coffees while her coworker mans the drive-thru. It looks like they could use a thirdperson, but I know how it is. I worked closing shift at a burger place while I was in high school. They never give you enough people.

When Wren finally gets to us, she leans against the counter and grins at Oliver. We’re the last in line, and I can see some of the tension bleeding out of her as she realizes she can slow down for a minute.

Good.I don’t want her to feel like she has to rush with us. We’re not those types of people.

“I was wondering if you three would be back in,” she says, her gaze skating over us. “Have a good week?”

“It was excellent,” Oliver replies happily. “And it just got a whole lot better now that we’re here.”

“Oh!” She lets out a little laugh. “Glad you like the coffee.”

“Not just the coffee.” He leans in a little bit more, wearing that charming smile of his with an effortlessness I’ve always wished I could pull off. “Although that cappuccino I got was delicious.”

“I—um, I can ring you up for one?” Wren’s voice gets a little higher-pitched. Odds are, she gets plenty of people flirting with her while she takes their orders. I wonder if she gets this flustered with all of them.

“That would be lovely,” Oliver says.

She glances toward Elliot, and he steps up to the counter. Her gaze lingers on his face before swooping down and taking in his perfectly tailored suit and thin tie.

“I’ll have a black coffee,” he tells her. “Has your week been all right?”

“It’s…” Wren pauses, biting her lip as she taps at the register’s screen. “It’s been a week, you know? Busy at work, and then…”

“Relaxing at home?”

“S-sure.”

Hmm.That sure isn’t convincing.

“But I’m looking forward to this weekend,” Wren blurts when Elliot narrows his eyes in suspicion. “Going to a movie tonight.”

“Oh! Which one?”

“Ummmm.” She ducks her head bashfully. “I actually don’t remember what it’s called. It’s about… um, I think it’s about stealing cars?”

“Well, at least it sounds interesting,” Elliot says with a chuckle.