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My brain swirls a little, that last drink hitting me all at once and giving me the courage to do exactly what I want to do. What I’m craving to do. Even though I know my tastebuds will protest at the flavor.
Glancing up, I lock eyes with Axel while I rotate the mug in my hand until the handle is in my left hand.
My heart is racing, so I steady the mug with both hands as I raise it to my lips. My mouth touching the mug in precisely the same spot where Axel’s was.
The bitter taste barely registers. My body is too busy lighting up with need as I watch Axel watching me. His nostrils flare and his chest expands.
I start to lower the mug but see a single drip of coffee on the rim. Lifting it back up, I slowly lick the spot clean.
My entire body is on fire, and I’m sure every inch of my skin is bright red, but the look in Axel’s eyes makes any amount of embarrassment worth it.
“Good?” His question is so deep, I swear I can feel the rumble of his word even in the noisy bar.
I nod, setting the mug back on the table and sliding it towards him. Then I remember what he’s actually asking and shake my head.
“Which is it, Maddie? Good or bad?”
I press my knees together under the table. “Very bad.” My flush deepens. “The coffee, I mean.”
He uses one large finger to hook the handle, pulling it back to his side of the table.
“You think so?” Lifting the mug he takes another sip, his mouth pressing directly over the spot where mine just was. Sealing my imprint between his.
I watch as his throat works on another swallow. Those big, tattooed hands holding the fragile ceramic.
“Tastes like coffee to me.”
“Then you have a lot to learn.” I nearly pant, feeling more turned on than I think I ever have.
“Is that so?”
I nod again, meaning it this time.
“You offering to teach me?”
Nodding for the third time, I reach for my own drink. Needing the iced beverage to cool my throat, since rubbing ice cubes on my chest would probably be frowned upon.
“Coffee is kinda my thing,” I tell him, setting my glass back down.
Axel inclines his head, “Is that right?”
I smile, “I have a coffee shop.” When an impressed look covers his face, pride fills my body and I find myself wanting to tell him more. “Have you heard of BeanBag Coffee?”
He dips his chin, “I have.”
My smile widens, “I bought the original location.”
Normally I wouldn’t just blurt that out, but I know these drinks are starting to erode my usual boundaries. And there’s just something about Axel that makes me feel comfortable. Safe. Like I can tell him things about me and he’ll give me more of those pleased looks he seems to guard so closely.
“I’d say that makes you an expert.”
I lift a shoulder, hoping to come off casual, “I know a few things.”
He makes a humming sound that’s way sexier than it ought to be, then he tilts his head towards my drink, “Since the coffee here isn’t up to par, what are you havin’?”
“Oh, this is vodka with cranberry juice.” I swirl my straw through the ice cubes. “I usually stick to hard cider but…”
When I trail off, Axel leans closer against the table. “But what, Maddie?”
