Fury

Coffee Shop Lust

Mia POV~ 

Shannon rubbed the soothing mint oil over my stinging flesh and I hissed in pain with a hint of relief.  She shook her head at me and smiled "I guess Delilah wasn't kidding about leaving you to suffer." 

I growled "no she wasn't." 

Shannon giggled again " Okay we all are finished. Remember no hot baths or saunas. No lotions or sun tanning and especially no s*x!" 

I rolled my eyes "damnit, I had such a long list in my little black book too." 

She swatted my shoulder as I closed my robe and tied the knot loosely around my waste. I winced as I closed my legs to stand sucking in a breath at the twinge in my pelvis. Shannon gave a wink at me and smiled widely. 

I stared at her with a brow raised and her face resembled someone who held a secret. "Care to share the thought behind your eyes?" 

She shook her head with a smirk plastered on her face as she moved to the door. "I'll text you the list of 'do not's so you don't forget. I expect to see you before your next waxing my dear, you need a lot of work in that neck." 

I nodded to her and promised another visit soon stepping into the slippers then grabbed my key. The hallway was quiet except for the low hum from the speakers. Delilah was still absent keeping my senses dulled as to other scents and sounds. I sighed as I closed the door and padded towards the locker rooms to get dressed. 

Opening the locker my phone started to buzz and I groaned in annoyance. I picked up after I pulled my underwear up. Mumbling a greeting of "Agent Reaux speaking."

"Finally Agent. I was wondering if you were ignoring me." Jacks voice held a smirk as he teased me. 

"Ugh, had I known it was you. I would have ignored the call." I grunted out as I held the phone to my ear and braced against my shoulder to clip the bra together. 

He chuckled low and deep "Ah, well aren't I lucky you didn't check your screen first. I'm pleased to have caught you off your game kitten." 

I growled at him "Call me that again and I will make sure you never have the luxury to speak again." Delilah perked up and shared my annoyance at his latest jab. 

He full belly laughed at me "I really enjoy riling you up Agent the highlight of my day." 

I rolled my eyes at him as I buttoned my shirt " i***t. Its after 7pm the day is over. Was there a point to this call or are you only here to annoy me like the constant pest I deemed you as the first time we met." 

"Ah straight to the point, yes besides wanting to hear your lovely voice, I did call for a reason. I know a person that can use DNA to find someone. I was thinking we could use it to find the sister that lion is looking for. " Shuffling sounded in his background as he spoke. 

"First off why have I never been informed this was possible? Second why would you help a lion? Aren't we natural enemies, you know canine verses feline." I grumbled slamming the locker closed. How had I not used someone like this before, the lives I could have saved beforehand. I was busy berating myself and missed the rest of his explanation. 

I agreed to meet with this person tomorrow evening and bring the DNA samples. Hope blossomed in  my chest as, maybe I would be able to save this one and many more. I smiled throughout the night and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. 

~~~~~

I awoke in the morning well rested and recovered from the wax. For the first time in a long time I had a smile to greet the day. I took extra time to tease my hair and pin it back out of my eyes, a light blush to glisten my cheeks paired with catwalk mascara. 

Cherry red lipstick applied and my white sheer blouse and black pinstripe skirt. I winked at my reflection before grabbing a blazer just in case. Practically skipping down the steps to the entryway Dolly met me quirking her eyebrow. 

She looked up the stairs then back to me "Um, I didn't hear any noises last night or smell anything so why the hell are you so happy?" 

I only shrugged at her "I can't be happy without s*x being involved?" 

She snorted at me "No. I have never seen you smiling in the morning. Ever."

I shook my head to her "Come on I'll fill you in on the way to the coffee shop." She nodded and we walked the few blocks 'The Crow Flies' and I told her about the meeting tonight. I explained how I felt so much hope to be able to find this girl, It was a pleasant rush of endorphins. My job wasn't the best at making you feel good so you clung to any you did receive. 

The line was unusually long this morning but we waited patiently anyway. The hazelnut and dark roast swirled the air making me sigh. I had a sick obsession with coffee, I believe I could drink it all day and night.  I opened my eyes and smiled at the new brunette behind the counter. 

I gave her my order and picked a blueberry muffin from the case to eat while I waited. Dolly had ordered a to-go coffee as she had to catch up on paperwork. I chuckled at her and told her to stop procrastinating so much. She grumbled back and left the shop while I picked a table by the window. 

I wanted to take my time this morning and enjoy living, breathing, and existing. My mind wondered to when I felt my lowest while in the brothels and I sighed. Taking a deep breath to cleanse my senses the brunette came over with my coffee. I smiled and thanked her as I sipped the warm thick goodness. 

I started to pick away at my muffin when Delilah pushed forward. I startled at her persistence when I looked up I met with the melted pools of gold and my throat when dry. My body warmed as he slowly smiled to me , his scent carried and he walked over to my table. 

"May I have a seat?" His voice rolled over me like waves from the ocean. I felt my heart race and I took a deep breath without thinking. His spicy cedar scent swam through my veins and my body shuddered. 

I studied his face and when he cleared his throat I snapped to attention. I realized I was gaping like a fish and had yet to speak. I shook my head and dropped my gaze to the chair as I lifted my cup to sooth my dry throat. 

"Sure" I managed to reply then busied myself pulling at my muffin a few times. I was extremely glad I fixed myself up today. Delilah agreed and pushed forward more wanting to share vision to size him up. 

"I apologize for hitting you with the door the other day. I hope you aren't hurt." I avoided his eyes sipping on the coffee again but found myself studying his broad shoulders with thick biceps and licked my lips. 

He was absolutely perfect, from his fitted suit to his brown styled curls. His square jaw and thick lips made me want to run my tongue over them. He cleared his throat and I blushed again. I was so embarrassed to be openly slobbering over him. 

He smiled at me "Not at all, It takes more than a door to damage me. However the beautiful woman that closed the door on me did. She made me speechless and I am sorry I was to stunned to speak with you." 

I blushed harder at him and sipped my coffee to hide my smile. He cleared his throat again and I tentatively met his gaze again. I felt Delilah push again and I could see his own eyes darken a shade his own beast within reflecting. 

His scent changed and I felt his power, he was a king no doubt. This was dangerous, no matter how much I wanted him, I couldn't bring myself to give in. I fought Delilah for control, his life was not for me. I needed to save lives with the work I was doing. No doubt I was exhausted most of the time and disappointed often but it was worth it when I did save a life. 

Until the bastards that ran the underground trafficking had all been brought to justice, I wasn't going to back down. I wasn't ready to be a mate, hell defiantly not a queen. I cleared my throat and set back in my chair to get a little distance from him. 

"I have to go, I have an important meeting this morning, but maybe fates will let us cross paths again." I broke my heart to say goodbye to him. Delilah whimpered in my mind and I tried to comfort her. She fought for me to stay but I denied her. 

I stood up grabbing the rest of my muffin in a napkin and gave him a smile before turning away. I could hear him call out to me and I tried my best to ignore the ache in my chest at leaving him. There was no doubt that he was my mate, I could feel his soul pulling me in.

"Wait, can I at least know your name." He reached my side and opened the door for me as I brushed passed him. I debated telling him but what harm could it do if he knew. 

I sighed " My name is Mia." He took a deep breath and when he repeated my name my panties damped at the rumble in his voice.  I shook my head and looked up into his golden eyes, imprinting them in my brain. This would be the last time he would see me, I would make sue of it. 

I turned away from him with everything I had and took steps out the door. I walked down the block towards the office trying to ignore the burning eyes on my backside. Delilah growled and thrashed in my mind, I had never denied her like this before. We were so close and in sync that this opposition made me stubble a little and clutch my head at the pain. She was clawing and wailing for me to turn around. 

I didn't know what was breaking me more her or the eyes I felt following me down the block. So much for my happy mood today. 

~~~~~~