That had been one of the first things I handled when I went back to work for him. “I read a bunch of reviews before buying it.” I shrug. “But for myself? I don’t know Arabica from robusta. I’m betting that Tasha does, though.”
“It’s damn good.” Xavier lifts the mug to his lips. “I’d say her gift basket included some excellent choices.”
Pricey too, no doubt.
“May need to order some of this for myself.”
“Should I add it to my task list, sir?”
“I like the way you say that. So respectful. Maybe you should do it more often.”
My tummy flips as he drags his gaze over me, slow and sure.
“Goddamn it, Seraphina. You look like temptation.”
“Me?” After I got up, I reached for the first thing I could find, which was his T-shirt. The moment I put it on, the fabric seemed to wrap around me like a hug. It smells like him. And I’m not entirely sure I ever want to take it off. “I’m not the one half naked, Mr. Blackwell.”
He doesn’t seem inclined to change that.
“Can I pour you a cup?”
After last night’s lack of sleep and how sore my body is, I might kill for an extra-strong coffee. “Please.”
I can’t believe how at home he seems to be in my new place.
After everything last night, we showered together, and he dried me off, and then he tucked me into bed, naked, next to him.
Sometime around three, when we’d both drifted back into consciousness, we made love again before falling asleep for a few more blissful hours of rest.
He finds me a mug that isn’t chipped, fills it, and adds the right amount of mocha creamer.
“You’re spoiling me, Blackwell.”
“Last night, it was Xavier.”
And this morning, I need a little bit of emotional distance between us.
“But, yeah. I think you deserve it.”
The problem is, I could get used to it.
He offers me the beverage, and I inhale the amazingly rich, nutty aroma with a hint of citrus that makes my taste buds sit up and beg. Then I take a sip. The flavor is deep, velvety, and so smooth it feels indecent. Maybe I should save this for special occasions. It’s a brew to enjoy, not gulp in desperate need for a caffeine buzz to make it through the day.
Drinks in hand, we both end up moving to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The city stretches out beneath us. The sun is shining brightly, turning the glass of the downtown towers to gold and making the green of Buffalo Bayou blaze like emerald fire.
“What are your plans for the day?”
Such a mundane question, the type couples in a relationship share.
Quickly I give myself a mental shake. We’re not in a relationship. We had sex, nothing more. “I have to go by the old apartment, pick up the last few things, and give it a deep clean.” That’s the thing I’m not looking forward to.
“I’d offer to help, but I have a meeting with Walt.”
His uncle, part owner of the company, and board member. I know he’s Xavier’s deceased father’s only sibling. From what I’ve overheard, the two are really close. “I wouldn’t let you help, anyway. But thanks for thinking of it. I’ll do what I can, take photos, and hope I get my deposit back.”
He gives me a look over the rim of his mug. “You’ll get it back.”
I narrow my eyes. “That sounds suspiciously confident.”
