Chapter four

What the hell was he thinking?

He barely knew the woman, and yet he was suddenly fighting the ridiculous urge to kiss her.

He quickly brought his eyes back to hers.

Lauren, meanwhile, had noticed the way he was looking at her.

His gaze lingered on her face before dropping briefly to her lips. She felt an unexpected flutter in her stomach, and for a moment, she forgot the angry words she had been preparing to say.

There was no denying that the man was handsome. His sharp features, well-defined jaw and confident posture made him difficult to ignore. But his attitude was doing an excellent job of ruining whatever impression his appearance might have created.

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, suddenly conscious of the way he was studying her.

Why was he looking at her like that?

Ryan straightened his jacket, forcing his attention back to the matter at hand.

This woman was annoying. Beautiful, perhaps, but annoying.

And he certainly wasn't going to let her get away with speaking to him however she pleased.

"Perhaps you should spend less time talking and more time learning basic manners. It might help you get through a day without embarrassing yourself." He tilted his head slightly, his gaze never leaving hers.

Lauren's cheeks warmed.

For a moment, she said nothing. Her eyes moved briefly towards the floor as she struggled to keep her temper under control.

Then she looked straight at him.

"Basic manners?" she repeated, letting out a dry laugh. "You should try practising what you're preaching. Perhaps then you wouldn't have to stand here insulting a stranger to feel important."

"What did you just say?" Ryan's voice was lower now. Slower. Every syllable measured, like he was daring her to repeat it.

"You heard me." Her chin lifted. Her hands weren't shaking anymore. They were fisted at her sides, knuckles white, as she held his stare and refused to look away.

She adjusted the strap of her handbag on her shoulder and took a step backwards.

"Look, I've apologised for what happened. I didn't spill your coffee on purpose, and I certainly didn't wake up this morning hoping to ruin your expensive suit. But I won't stand here and let you treat me like I'm beneath you.”

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a warning tone. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"

Lauren stared at him for a moment before shaking her head. "Honestly? I don't care."

She turned towards the entrance.

"Miss!" He called after her.

She continued walking.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

Lauren pushed the glass door open without looking back. "Have a lovely day!"

The door swung shut behind her.

Ryan stood motionless, his eyes fixed on the entrance.

His fingers tightened around the empty coffee cup as he replayed her last words in his head.

I don't care.

He let out a sharp breath through his nose.

Who did she think she was?

He glanced down at his suit again before looking towards the door.

Unbelievable.

For the first time in a very long while, someone had walked away from him in the middle of an argument.

And somehow, that irritated him more than the ruined suit.

He turned towards the coffee counter, where a young barista was busy arranging takeaway cups. The irritation on his face was enough to make the young man pause what he was doing.

"Excuse me."

The young man looked up immediately. "Yes, sir. How can I help you?"

Ryan placed the empty cup on the counter. "That woman who just walked out. Do you know her?" He asked coolly.

The barista glanced towards the entrance before looking back at him. "Lauren?"

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "So you know her?"

"Yes, sir. She's a regular here. Comes in almost every morning for a cup of coffee."

"Every morning?" Ryan repeated in disbelief.

He was here every morning too. How had he never seen her?

"Almost every morning," the barista confirmed with a friendly smile. "She's usually in a hurry, though. Always orders the same thing."

Ryan's gaze shifted briefly towards the glass door. "What's her full name?"

The barista hesitated before replying. "Sorry, sir. I don't think I know her full name. We just know her as Lauren."

Ryan stared at him for a moment, his expression unreadable. He straightened, picked up his phone and slipped it into his pocket.

"Thank you." He gave a brief nod.

"You're welcome, sir." The barista smiled politely before turning back to the counter and resuming his work.

Ryan turned towards the exit, but stopped briefly. A small frown appeared between his brows.

Lauren.

At least now he had a name to go with the face.

He pushed the door open and stepped outside. He had more important things to worry about than a stubborn woman who couldn't watch where she was going.

At least, that's what he told himself.