Author's Rant: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Here's a new chapter :D

Chapter 3

"So now we bring orders to the customer at their tables?" Jess quietly hissed at Mel, who just smiled like the cat who ate the canary while she made the shots of espresso for the order. If Daryl was there he would strictly prohibit it; his defense was that they didn't do it at the Starbucks so they shouldn't do it either.

Mel cast a mischievous glance at her friend. "On certain occasions, sure. When they're warranted at least. Hand me the chocolate will ya chick?"

Jess grabbed the closest bottle of chocolate syrup from the rack and jabbed Mel in the arm with it. All it served was to making Ms. Goth-Queen snicker in return. "You know if Daryl were here he wouldn't fly with that."

"Well, Daryl isn't here now is he?"

Jess narrowed her hazel eyes at her, mouth upturning in an awkward pout. "Now I think I know how you got promoted."

Mel took the insult with a grain of salt and just countered with a smug smile. "Oh, please chick. Daryl gave me the promotion cuz' I kept his dirty laundry out of the owner's eyes and saved his ass on too many occasions. Not what you're probably thinking." She pinned the other woman with a glare as she said: "And eew, by the way" before returning to her task. "And besides, you can't tell me you didn't think that guy looked totally edible."

Okay, so Mel was right on that fact. He did look totally edible. More than edible actually—the kind of thoughts you just knew was wrong but just didn't give a damn. He looked like every one of her lusty and sinful thoughts made manifest, and his piercing blue eyes could make any woman want to get lost in them.

Okay, keeping my thoughts out of the gutter.

Jess couldn't fault her for wanting to keep Mr. Yummy in the shop just a little while longer. Hell, the other female customers were sure appreciating it greatly. She went to the counter and pretended to check on the straw and napkin dispensers while she took discreet peeks at the choice man material. He sat in one of the booths in the far corner with his stuff in the seat by him, making the booth look absolutely tiny compared to his large frame, one of his long legs reclined out past the low wooden table. He eyes were cast down to the smart phone screen phone he held in his right hand, thumb flying over the keys, silver toned rings on his index and thumb catching the overhead lighting. Jess found herself wondering if he was a college student, and if so would he be taking classes in the upcoming semesters at Berkeley. It would be wonderful to see someone like him around campus.

Gabe could feel distinct stares in his direction as he sat in the small booth. He tried his best to put up mental shields against the emotions that swarmed around the room, but it was somewhat difficult. The sound of a dozen or so pulses distracted him; blood warm and sweet rushing through veins underneath smooth skin. His inner beast was becoming harder to ignore and didn't want to be denied what it really craved.

Every pulse was distinct and had its own rhythm, a sweet serenade that tortured him. He needed that espresso, quick fast and in a hurry. The insane amount of caffeine would calm him down for a bit of time, least until he could get the woman behind the counter alone with him. Her co-worker called her Mel though her apron had a small black name badge with Melanie printed on it

Jessica. That was the name on the badge of the other one. The one with the lovely mane of curly chestnut hair…and Happy Bunny buttons tacked on her apron. Something about her intrigued him. He couldn't deny that, and couldn't place it for the life of him either.

He cast a sideways glance up from his phone, and couldn't hold the grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. She looked at him, right at him, got caught staring and quickly directed her attention elsewhere. Guess she wasn't as aloof as he previously thought. Oh, she was something else alright.

Though both women were talking low enough that the other patrons in the café couldn't hear them, Gabe had the distinct advantage of preternatural hearing; he kept his eyes on the cell in his hand even while all his attentions was on eavesdropping on the two employees conversation, which was totally about him. It made that smug cocky part of him beam a little. Just a little though.

"I think he's checking you out chick." Mel had seen her duck away from the counter and throw herself into her work like she usually did when she tried to avoid a situation. Jess had stopped wiping down a blender and looked like a deer in headlights, a heavy blush rising to her face.

"That's not funny you cow." Jess shot at her. Damn Mel and her ultra-sensory observance. She knew that guy practically caught her sizing him up, and subtle little grin that worked his lips told her such. And now Mel was just stirring that pot of humiliation. "He's probably wondering what's taking you so long."

"No, I think he might be checking you out."

"Yeah, right." Jess scoffed. Deep down inside though, she hoped, maybe just a teeny bit that he was. The very thought of it made her chest grow warm unexpectedly.

Melanie flashed that no-good smile of hers, coming next to Jess. "He's looking over here again."

Jess' face got serious. "I so hate you right now."

"Well, you're gonna hate me even more in a second." She smirked in triumph at the mortified look that popped up on Jess' face when she handed her Mr. D & Y's order in a large insulated disposable cup.

Jess looked at the cup as if it were a severed head Mel held instead of the large order sledgehammer she just made. "Oh, you fat cow…"

"Just bring it to him, no harm in that? Mel presented her with the cup again, Jess still refusing to take it. "C'mon, hurry up before this gets cold."

Jess leaned in close and sneered, cheeks a lovely shade of pink. "I hate you, right now." She stomped her foot on the tile floor to emphasize her point. "First you agree to bring his order to—"

Mel cut her off short, took one of her hands and put the drink in it and held onto it just in case Jess decided to play hot potato with her. "You bring this over to him, right now Jess. He's perfectly harmless—hot as sin, but perfectly harmless. He's just another customer, right?"

Jess' nostrils flared with her hazel eyes, resigning herself to Mel's trickery that she knew she wouldn't win anytime this century. Mel had it down to a science.

A horrible, fucked up, accurate science and Jess was the guinea pig. That woman knew she was bad with men. Her track record with the opposite sex should be put in Guinness it was so horrible.

Jess mouthed one more silent "I hate you" before she called upon years of willpower and forced herself to go do her job—which was now serving the hottest man she's ever seen in her life a tall cup of caffeinated death.

This guy must really be a caffeine junkie to drink this, she thought.

Gabe surmised the two women behind the counter must be friends by the way they had disputed back and forth about whom was going to bring his order, and the one named Jessica obviously lost. Nobody would be able tell with the look of professionalism she wore that her emotions were betraying her; she was livid, embarrassed…and absolutely nervous. And he knew it was about him. She definitely was something else.

"Here you go sir, sorry it took so long." Jess flashed a tight-lipped smile and sat the cup in front of him. She forced her hands to latch onto the apron strings at her back so her hands wouldn't scurry like ants, but kept her best game face on.

He reached for the cup and flashed a welcoming smile. "Thanks a lot Jessica." He couldn't help himself when his smile got bigger at the sight of her eyes bugged out for a split second. Gabe pointed a finger at her plastic name tag. "Your apron has your name on it."

The barista practically slapped herself in the left boob when she brought her hand up to the black tag on her work apron, laughing the moment off. "Right, duh. Of course it is. I have to wear a name tag so my co-workers and customers can know me," she looked down at him to find him smiling up at her. And he just sensed that just made her feel a teeny bit more awkward. "I think I've whiffed too much java today."

"But the smell of a good cup of coffee is a wonderful thing." Gabe chimed. He blew lightly on the mouth slit in the plastic lid as he brought it to his lips and took a sip, not taking his eyes off her. The nervousness he felt from her before started to subside somewhat, being replaced with a strange wave of confidence.

"Riight. And this is why you're drinking enough caffeine to punch a hole in a wall." she chuckled, giving him a mocking thumbs up and smile.

Holy hell. That wasn't confidence he felt rising up in her, it was cynicism. She covered nervousness with campy sarcasm. Why did it seem everyone in California was an amateur comedian? And how in the hell did he keep meeting them? Strange thing though, coming from her it oddly felt…well, shit. It felt kinda okay to laugh.

Gabe leaned back in his seat and took another sip of the hot beverage, not bothering to hide the grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Well, I just like coffee, a lot."

Jessica flashed a tentative yet smug smile, reaching up and pushing a wayward strand of her curly locks from her eyes, tucking it behind her ear. "And that would be the reason you're drinking a large sledgehammer this late in the afternoon. And hot I might add. I personally would just chug down a Vault with a Red Bull chaser."

Somehow, before he knew it, Gabe found himself chuckling lightly at her banter on his choice of drinks, grin getting wider. "I'm not much of a fan of Red Bull; besides—coffee just starts my day better." Especially since I'm more nocturnal than you'll probably ever be, Gabe added silently.

He tilted his head to the side slightly, gazing at the friendly smile that slowly lit up her face and made her hazel eyes dance. Her eyes were a curious grey-blue with slight amber hues that seemed wholly strong, yet her emotions were hidden well behind them. How she did it amazed him.

Holy hell, what in the world was going on here? Why was he being so…open?

For the briefest of moments he let his mind taste her emotions while he studied her features, and surprised to sense her confidence level had risen dramatically, but still heavily laden with unwavering nervousness. Her emotions had done flips in the span of seconds, going from nervous, confident, cocky, and confident again, and slammed back into nervousness. In other mortals he could feel the transitions or tell with their body language, heck, even with their scent. But with her…it was like she trained herself to keep her body from broadcasting what went through her head. And it intrigued him, somehow, for some reason. Never found many individuals who could do that, besides professional veteran actors at least.

That strength…had him more curious about her…

Wow…he has a wonderful smile, Jess mused in her head. One of those smiles that could just melt ice…and obviously make a few women mummer and swoon like a bunch of preppy high school girls. Two tables up there were a trio of petite and dolled-up young women ogling and more than likely talking about the man in front of her. And it seemed like he knew the attention he was drawing too; he glanced past her for only the briefest of moments though didn't pay any heed beyond that, taking another languid sip of his coffee.

Before she knew it that little imp of self-doubt reared its ugly head, and the thoughtful look he was giving her made her feel really awkward. Yeah, awkward pauses were definite killers. She gave a slight shrug of her shoulders and took in a breath and hooked her thumbs in her apron strings. "Well, if you need anything else just let us know." She hiked her thumb in the direction of the front counter, "I gotta get back to work."

"Thanks for bringing my order to me, Jessica."

"Ah, you're welcome." The customer kept his vivid blue eyes on her intently until she couldn't stand it and felt her face grow hot again. She gave him a curt smile before turning and heading back to the safety of the front counter.

Score one for rambling. Way to go girl. Somewhere in the back of her head, she heard that lil' imp laughing its head off.

On the way back she ignored the look from Mel and made a tactful beeline to the back office, knowing her friend was right on her heels.

"So, what did you two talk about?"

Jess whipped around from in front of the employee fridge, hysterical gleam in her eyes, lips pursed, and face the shade of a cherry tomato. She jabbed an index finger right at Mel. "I so hate you. Do you know how many shades of stupid I felt?"

"Oh, you're still alive you drama queen." Mel rolled her eyes heavenward. She smiled at Jess who put up a finger while she pulled out a half empty can of Red-Bull from the fridge and chugged it in like two gulps.

Jess' throat felt like she swallowed a pair of golf balls dipped in acid instead of the soda she just finished, rubbing her neck and making a sour face. "Ugh—that hurt." She shot Mel a terse look. "And I'm not a drama queen."

"Whatever, chick. Now spill."

Jess huffed and tossed the empty can in a wastebasket by the fridge. "You know how weird I feel talking to guys like that guy out there."

"Oh, you mean hot, totally edible—"Mel started but got cut off with a wave of a fussy hand.

"Yes—you don't have to state the obvious. And to answer you before you keep riding my ass about it—we didn't really talk. I commented on his suicidal drink options while he defended his apparent love of java."

Mel gave her a look that showed incredulity. "You're impossible! You couldn't even get Mr. Hot-Stuff's name. I give you the perfect set up and you toss it in the Bay."

Jess pursed her lips and wrinkled her nose. "And you know I can't stand people playing Cupid. I have enough from my parents. Why do you think I moved to a different state to finish college?"

"Oh, but he would be so perfect—"

Jess interjected with a hand again, pointing and flashing a pessimistic smirk. "For you, not me. Now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go take a much needed break. You don't mind, do ya boss?"

Mel had to have known she should quit while she was ahead at this point and not dig any deeper into the subject with Jess. Her friend knew that she could be funny and sweet, but she also knew if the wrong button were pressed she wouldn't just playfully run and tried to change subjects onto something other than her lack of romantic life. Jess could get downright evil and get in touch with her inner-axe murderer so to speak.

It was always the playful tomboys you had to look out for, seriously.

Mel stopped her by the threshold after Jess took her apron off and slung it on the small break table, giving her a warm and considerate look. "You're not mad at me, are you?"

Jess stared at her for a long moment before sighing heavily, flashing a weak grin. "You know I'm not you cow." She came over and nudged her in the shoulder with her own. "You're not my damn roommate."

"You really need to kick that girl out, cousin or not."

Jess rolled her eyes and just shrugged. "She pays the rent on time. I'm gonna take a walk, 'kay?"

Mel reached over to Jess' cubby, grabbing her messenger bag and pulled out her MP3 player, giving her a warm smile. "Take an extra five, and when you get back I'll make you one of my Chocolate Death's."

Jess' mood improved instantly at the mere mention of the specialty Mel invented a few months back—it was a chocoholic's wet dream—taking her iPod and giving an honest warm grin. "I knew there was a reason I love you."

Mel walked out with her to the counter and watched Jess make her way to the café door, regarding her friend with an impish gleam in her eyes. "You love me because I'm a freak like you. We freaks got to stick together."

Jess paused and flinched just as she had her hand on the push bar of the glass door and regarded Mel with an almost stupefied expression, casting her eyes heavenward and ignoring the choice stares from several customers, including Mr. Yummy.

She made her way out of the store before Mel had a chance to say anything more mortifying.

Gabe was somewhat disappointed to see the female Jessica leave, but guessed since she only took what looked like a MP3 player with her that the woman was going on a break. Wait…why was he disappointed at all? It wasn't her that he was planning on making his mark; it was the one who was still here. He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, forcing his mind to concentrate on just his hearing for a few moments. It was an exercise he did sometimes to collect his thoughts and reign in his empathic senses when they ran amuck. That could be the only explanation why he felt that way. That or the heavy amount of caffeine wasn't quite doing the trick on dulling out his other hunger, and Jessica's slender neck had been an enticing invitation.

He could still faintly smell her sweet scent of berries hanging in the air around him. It smelt wonderful.

Either way he needed to stop thinking about her and concentrate his attention on her friend. He needed willing donor/partner, and women who were too uneasy around him always proved not to be the easiest of marks. In this day and age there was no need to try to make any sort of sport out of it; not like he did anyway. The less involvement, the better. Nobody could get hurt.

"So, how's the sledgehammer?" A female voice cooed, making him open his eyes.

Speaking of willing partners…

The one called Melanie stood before him with her hands on her hips and a playfully seductive smile curving her dark lips. He sensed not the slightest bit of negative nerves or hesitation from her, a decently strong will too.

"You make a pretty damn good one." Gabe knew he had to spread the compliments on thick if he was gonna get this girl alone anytime tonight. And she really did make a good cup of coffee. "You got me impressed…Melanie. Nice name by the way."

"Everyone calls me Mel—and it seems you have me at a disadvantage…?" she started, leaving it off so he could fill in the blank for her.

Yep, he definitely could applaud her tenacity. She was a woman who knew what she wanted.

"It's Gabe. And before you ask—I don't go by Gabriel majority of the time." Least not anymore. He leaned in and put his arms on the table in front of him, giving her his undivided attention. He smiled inwardly when he caught the mischievous gleam light her brown eyes, watching her deftly tuck a lock of her hair behind her ears and nibbled slightly on her bottom lip.

Melanie's body language was definitely readable, and that was a good thing too. Damn—he wasn't really doing this playful and coy routine, was he?

She smoothly leaned in and planted a hand on the table close to his folded arms, cocking her head to the side and looked him up and down like she was sizing him up for a suit. "Well, Gabe. I was just wondering something."

Gabe let a boyish smile play his lips and leaned in a bit closer, letting her think she had him in the palm of his hand. "And what would that be?"

He kept the smile on his face even when a cold chill went down his spine at the devilish smile that lit up her features. He's seen it a billion different times on a billion different people and he knew that type of smile lead up to no good. But he was gonna have to play along whether he liked it or not.

Damn, he really took advantage of blood banks way too often this century.

"I was wondering…do you like rock music?"