"I want those chocolate ones." The middle-aged woman pointed at the general direction of fifty different displays of chocolate confectionaries. Rose exhaled and rubbed the bridge of her nose for the hundredth time that day. She'd had a trying day and she just wanted to get home and sleep. Be calm, she told herself, she's a customer... and also murder is illegal. Rose forced a smile, "You'll have to be a little more specific, ma'am." To her bemusement, the woman looked at her with... pity?. She pointed at the display case and repeated slightly louder and slower, "I WANT THOSE CHOCOLATE ONES!" Rose wanted to scream. But everything is chocolate, you moron! You're in a fucking chocolaterie!
The woman didn't seem to notice the fact that the young chocolatier was going redder and redder in the face and continued to explain what she meant by "chocolate ones". Rose was a second away from strangling her when the shop doors tinkled open and a customer entered.
At first, Rose didn't see him. He brought in a strong scent of rain with him along with a strong gust of wind. The woman shivered slightly at the sudden cold, "Oh dear, is it raining outside?" Really rain, how rude, snapped Rose in her head, you're supposed to rain inside, you fucking imbecile.
The silence and deep chuckle after this thought made her stop in her tracks. She couldn't possibly have said it aloud, could she? Her hands automatically covered her mouth and her eyes widened in fear. Of course, word vomit had to strike now of all times!
But it turned out, it was silent because her new customer had spoken too softly for her to hear and the chuckle had come from him when the woman had asked him if he was a model.
"No ma'am, I am not. But I am flattered." His voice was deep and soft. Gentle, even. It made Rose wonder what he sounded like when he was mad.... or excited. She assessed this stranger as she did with every other customer. He was well over 6 feet tall. Broad shoulders and wide chest tapered down to a slim waist and hips, like a fig leaf. His black jacket was open over a white button-down that was unbuttoned at the collar, showing off pale smooth skin.
He had a strong jaw lined with stubble and sharp features. Slightly damp, dark hair brushed his shoulders. Piercing dark eyes stared at her with a burning intensity that threw her off for a bit. Why was he staring at her so intensely? Slightly uncomfortable, she looked away from his eyes. She busied herself with packing a chocolate eclair for the older woman. She still felt the stranger's gaze on her back, which made her shiver. It wasn't unusual for men to stare at her, but it was usually mild interest, desire, or plain lust. However... this man was making her feel like he was dragging an ice cube down her back. With his eyes!
