Sweet Temptations

Chapter 2

Celeste grinned at her friend's naivety. She knew who Nolan really was, but Kenzie had only been in town a little while she hadn't yet learned about Nolan's habit of picking up women in parks, museums, anywhere, although he didn't pick them for himself, but for his grandson.

"Kenzie, face it, Nolan wound his way into your soft heart. He's like that dog of yours."

. Kenzie smiled as she thought of her beloved dog, Compo. Celeste was correct, she supposed, she did have a soft heart. As kind-hearted as she was she did tend to pick up strays and people down-on-their-luck, and as Celeste said her little dog had been one of those unfortunate beings. Kenzie didn't regret it at all. Compo meant the world to her.

When she first arrived in town and bought a house a small York Terrier showed up on her porch. He was a dirty and scruffy little imp, she had given him a bath then made arrangement for a visit to the vet.

Having assumed he was a puppy, due to him being active and rambunctious, she was surprised to learn that he was at least four years old. He was healthy, but had no chip or tags. She advertised in the local paper and all social media, no one came forward so she kept him herself. She named him Compo, because when she had first set eyes on him he had looked like he'd been in a pile of compost .

Before Kenzie could reply the bell over the door sounded signaling that someone had entered, Kenzie looked toward the door and almost lost her balance as her knees gave way. Her breath faltered for a second before becoming normal again. She had never seen a more delicious man in her life, nor had she ever reacted to one this way.

Kenzie watched him as he stood just inside the doorway scanning the room looking for someone. She took this opportunity to study him. Everything seemed to leave her head as she eyed him. She forgot where she was, forgot who she was with, she forgot everything.

He was a tall, broad shouldered man, probably in his mid-thirties, but Kenzie was never good with ages. He wore a black Stetson hat on his head, but from the few strands of hair peeking out from under it she could see his hair was black. He wore a white button down shirt under a tan blazer and jeans. Tight form-fitting jeans, she couldn't help noticing. Black worn cowboy boots completed the picture.

What a wonderful man, she thought fleetingly as she continued to watch him. Was her mouth actually watering? It was. She was drooling over a man, despite her distain for men. She found this unknown man stirring her womanly feelings, interesting.

He must have found the party in which he searched for as he strode forward with long, quick strides. Again, Kenzie almost lost her balance for she had never in her twenty-four years seen anyone move with such grace and agility before, especially someone that tall. He was almost like a panther, she thought in amusement.

Although, her amusement soon turn to puzzlement then to concern as she watched him stop at Nolan's table and speak to him. Nolan looked up with surprise and shook his head before going back to his newspaper, dismissing the stranger.

Kenzie continued to observe them for several more minutes and when the stranger didn't leave but stayed there arguing with Nolan she considered her options. She could have him thrown out for harassing one of her customers, she had that right; but she didn't care for that idea at all.

She had to do something quick though as minutes later the man leaned down and eyed Nolan face to face, but Nolan still shook his head. Her decision was made. This was harassment in her book and she wasn't going to allow it. Not in her establishment. She straightened and made to move to the dining area.

"Kenzie, no don't," Celeste said sharply, making a grab for her arm.

Kenzie looked at her friend with mild surprise. Why was Celeste trying to stop her from helping Nolan? she silently wondered. "Nolan is being harassed by that man, Celeste," she said shaking off her friend's hand. "I am going to put a stop to it "

Celeste shook her head. "You don't know what is going on, Kenzie," Celeste pointed out looking concerned.

Kenzie's frown returned. This wasn't like Celeste, she thought briefly. "Celeste, it doesn't matter what is going on. That man is bullying Nolan and as you know bullying isn't allowed in here."

"But you don't know who that man is," Celeste reasoned.

No, she didn't know, but that was beside the point. The man looked menacing but not dangerous, cautiously eyeing the man again. Well, not that dangerous. Besides, she had the advantage being her home turf so to speak. She could handle it.

"No, I don't know him, Celeste, nor do I care who he is," she said heatedly. "He is going to leave." with that said she took off for where Nolan sat.

"Everything okay, Nolan?" she asked upon reaching him

"Everything is just fine, lady," the stranger replied to her inquiry.

Kenzie's head went back at the sound of his deep voice. Surprise held her motionless for a moment, then she managed to get herself together. She hadn't expected that voice and her knees weakened again. Maybe she should have her knees checked out, she thought slightly frazzled, there was obviously something wrong with them. Of course, it could be the fact that she was so close to him she could smell the outdoorsy musk he wore.

Shaking her daze off and ignoring him as best she could, she once again addressed Nolan. "You okay, Nolan?"

Nolan grinned his toothless grin. "I am fine, Kenzie. I'm just finishing my paper."

"Great," she smiled at the old man and then turned her attention to the younger man and almost wished she hadn't. He stood tall and glared at her. His deep brown soulful eyes almost had her catching her breath. Turning her eyes back to Nolan because she couldn't continue to look into his gaze without making a fool of herself.

"Can I get you anything else, Nolan? Another coffee perhaps?"

"No." The sharp. reply came from the tall man who had her senses working overtime. "He's leaving."

Just like that he made the decision for the elderly man, as if Nolan couldn't make up his own mind. "Oh, really," she challenged him when she could manage it. "He doesn't look like he's quite ready to leave yet," she opened.

"He's ready."

The man was so sure of himself that Kenzie was bristling with indignation. "No, he isn't," she argued back. It wasn't like her to be difficult but the mans arrogance angered her. He was so sure Nolan would go with him and maybe he would if not for her interference.

"Lady," the man growled at her. "Mind your own business."

Openly shocked at his rudeness Kenzie gasped with wide eyes. Never before had anyone spoken like that before. "Listen buster, if it happens in here it is my business," she all but snapped at him.

"Lady, I'm warning you," he rasped angrily as if he had reached the end of his patience. "Come on, Nolan," he ordered reaching out a hand and grabbing the older manby the arm, all but lifting him out of his seat.

Nolan had been sitting there listening with a humorous expression on his face and that expression did not change when the man had grabbed him. In fact, the man eyes seemed to be twinkling. It was probably the first time he'd had any enjoyment in years. What he found so amusing though was a puzzle to her.

"Take your hand off him," Kenzie ordered, standing with her hands on her hips in the hope that she looked intimidating. It was funny really, she was tall, but hardly intimidating.

"Listen, Lady,-"

"My name isn't lady," she angrily interrupted him, having had enough.

"It's Kenzie," Nolan put in cheerfully.

Kenzie smiled fondly at Nolan, pulling her phone out of the back pocket of her jeans. "Get your hands off him," she ordered again. "Or i'll call the cops." She showed him her phone so he would know she meant business.

"Lady," the man said, resigned to having to explain himself to the women. I am the cops."