Page 65 of The Monster and the Masochist

“I got it for you, baby girl. I don’t actually drink oat milk. I don’t really do any milk in my coffee, if I’m being honest.”

Her eyebrows raised in surprise.

“But the other day you gave me your coffee, and it was–”

“Exactly what you order?”

Her mouth parted, and her cheeks turned pink as she connected the dots.

“Uhm… Wow, Theo. Thank–”

“Hi, Theo! Back for another one of the same?”

Whatever Cassandra was going to say was interrupted by bubbly little Maria, who waved at me shyly.

I grinned at her.

“Hey, pretty girl. Nah. I’m actually all set. Was just delivering a drink to my friend here. Sorry. We’ll get out of your way so you can help the next customer.”

“O-oh okay! No problem! Have a great day, Theo!” Maria squeaked. She blushed furiously as I winked at her before tugging Cassandra out of the way so the barista could help the next people in line.

Turning back to Cass, I faltered slightly when I found that she wasn’t smiling at me anymore. She looked pissed.

What the fuck had happened in the last two seconds to piss her off so much?

“Everything alright?” I asked her cautiously as I took in her stony expression. She was tense now, and the air around her felt several degrees hotter than it had a few seconds ago.

She was seething, and I didn’t know why.

She didn’t answer right away, and I could almost see the wheels turning in her mind as she tried to decide how to reply.

Her gaze flicked over my shoulder to bouncy little Maria as she cheerfully helped the next customers in line, and I frowned.

Next thing I knew, Cass was gripping my jaw firmly enough that it almost hurt. She yanked my face back toward her, and she released one of her adorable little growls before slamming her lips into mine.

My eyes widened in surprise as she used her strong fingers to literally pry my mouth open so she could shove her tongue down my throat.

I let out an embarrassing mmmphhh before my brain caught up to what was happening.

Once I’d processed that Cassandra was kissing me… again… in public!!!! It was like whatever puppet master usually controlled my body cut all my strings.

I melted into her, and my hands immediately rose to cup her face so I could hold her as I kissed her back.

She didn’t seem to care that her iced coffee was pressed between us and sweating all over her cream silk blouse.

She didn’t seem to care that there were probably twenty-odd strangers in here to witness this surprising but very welcome public display of affection.

She only seemed to care about how weak she could make me feel with each sensual lick of her tongue.

Jesus fucking Christ.

I couldn’t believe I was going to get to marry this woman…

I was still drowning in the scent of vanilla when she abruptly broke the kiss and pulled away.

She didn’t let go of my jaw. Instead, she held me firmly in place, her brown eyes hard and full of something that almost looked like a threat.

A sexy threat, but still a threat.