Page 33 of Wicked Scandal

I can’t help the laughter that spews out of me as I watch him try and chew, what is probably, a year-old cracker.

“Dump it,” he tells me as he swallows down what’s in his mouth. “If it tastes anything like this, it will ruin coffee for me for the rest of my life.”

“Always a rebel.” I sigh jokingly as I pour the coffee down the drain.

It seems he’s got his bearings back as he sweeps some crumbs from his lips and picks up the creamer I brought over. “Donuts and French vanilla.” He winks. “My kinda girl.”

A warm sensation spreads through my body and I literally feel like I could melt into a puddle on this floor.

After giving the carafe a good rinse, I put it back under the spout and pour some grounds over the filter. Moving through the kitchen, I get two coffee mugs out of the cupboard, immediately noticing freshly-stained coffee in the bottom of both of them. It’s odd, considering no one has stayed here in a while, but I’m sure it’s older than it appears.

I put them in the sink and scrub them vigorously. Suds foam around my hands before I put them under the cold running water because it takes forever to get hot. My nose curls when the musky scent of stale water rises from the drain. It’s a reminder that this place has been vacant for quite a while. It’s not in bad shape by any means, but it’s very outdated and could use a little modern touch, as well as some life inside it.

“Need a hand?” Wilder asks from behind me and I jolt at the sound of his voice. I turn my head slightly to steal a glance and find him looking down into the sink. He’s so close I swear I feel his heartbeat against my back. “They look pretty clean to me.”Chills run down my body when I feel the warmth of his hot breath roll down my neck.

My shoulders draw back, body tensing as I shake the excess water from the mugs. “Clean enough,” I tell him.

I spin around and realize just how close he is when our noses nearly brush. Hands held out with the mugs, I raise my brows. “Shall we?”

He stands there, watching me, and my heart starts racing again as I wonder if he’s going to kiss me. I’m not sure why I keep thinking that. He hasn’t kissed me yet and he probably has no intentions of kissing me in the future.

God, I wish I would stop thinking like this. Wilder probably has no interest at all in me in that way. Sure, he’s flirtatious and he has a way of making me feel special, but I’m old to guys his age. He’s probably just being nice.

Eyes on mine, he reaches out and grabs both mugs before lowering them to his side. “Allow me.”

Even those two simple words make my insides quiver. It’s not just the words, it’s his gruff voice and the way he looks at me. No one has ever looked at me the way Wilder does.

I need to get the hell out of my head. This is ridiculous.

I step back and hop onto the counter to sit while I watch him pour two cups of coffee.

“So,” I say with a smile. “Are you half coffee and half creamer, or mostly coffee with a little creamer?”

“Let’s just say I like coffee in my creamer.”

My face twists and I stick my tongue out. “Gross.”

“Hey now. Don’t yuck my yum until you’ve tried it.” He raises a brow but I shake my head at him.

“One teaspoon of creamer for me, please.”

“Oh, come on. Just give it a try.” He looks back and winks at me, making me bite my lip.

“That’s way too much sugar,” I practically yell, wanting to cover my eyes at the way he is ruining the precious drink from the gods right before my eyes.

“Ah,” he snickers. “So you’re a health nut?”

“No. Not really,” I tell him truthfully. “I just don’t overindulge unless it’s a special occasion. Like a wedding with cake, or a walk on the beach with ice cream.”

He raises the spoon, putting it in his mouth before licking it slowly. I watch every movement with rapt attention. “Well, since this is our first time having coffee together, it’s a special occasion. In that case, I need you to trust me.”

I sputter a laugh. “What’s trust have to do with coffee?”

His eyes go wide but a smile plays on his lips. “When it comes to the most important meal of the day, everything.”

“The most important meal of the day?” I chuckle. “I love coffee, but I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Well, it taught me how much I can trust you.” He points to the very expired coffee he tried to make us before. “Had I drunk the coffee I made, I might be dead right now.”

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