Page 21 of Hung Up

How would he have known that was the chivalrous thing to do? What—or who—taught him that?

Questions flew around my brain, each one too sensitive to ask in public.

Pierce must’ve mistaken my silence for anger, as his hands raised in apology. “I won’t do it again,” he began, eyes darting around the cafe, “if it bothers you.”

“No, I’m sorry, that’s not it,” I said, pulling his hands down and stepping closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. “I just realized I never told you that it’s chivalrous for a man to do that, and yet you just did it.”

Pierce nodded, following my train of thought and hopefully hearing the unspoken words.

“I saw another man open the library door for his female companion, so I figured I should do that for you.”

Interesting . . .

So he actively saw an interaction, understood the social cues and conditions, and implemented his findings the next time he saw an opportunity to do so.

If only all men were like that.

“Female companion, Pierce? Is that all I am?” I winked at him and smiled, laughter bubbling in my chest.

Pierce wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear—apparently he liked to do that—before leaning down to whisper: “You are my goddess, remember?”

My heart fluttered, daring to hope that his words would remain true.

Quickly, I struck a kiss on his cheek, before twirling away to step up to the counter.

Ben, the barista whose name I always forgot and had to check his name tag for, smiled at me.

“Hi, Harper,” he beamed, “what can I get for you today?” Dear god, it was like he had stars in his eyes.

“My usual, please. And”—I turned to look over my right shoulder at Pierce—“whatever he’d like.”

Ben looked over to Pierce, whose arm wrapped around my waist, and his light dimmed. The barista gulped, and the silence stretched between the three of us.

Pierce tossed me a look that read something like you’ll pay for this, before he scanned the menu. I knew he wouldn’t know what any of it meant and I suppressed my chuckle, my hand moving to hide my slight smile. Pierce just stabbed me in the ribs with a firm finger.

“Just give me whatever she gets, please,” he said after a moment, before pulling me against his chest. While his words were pleasant enough, his posture screamed otherwise. He was staking his claim.

My blood rushed at the declaration. Mostly to my lower half, but still. I didn’t mind it one bit.

Ben’s smile faded a shade, gulping nervously before giving our total. I paid with a tap of my phone, and we moved aside to wait off. I slumped onto a bar stool, leaning onto Pierce as we listened to the soft pop music playing quietly in the background.

“Please tell me this is going to be better than that poison you tried to kill me with yesterday?”

I snorted, earning a wary look from Ben.

“I promise you’ll like this. You like sweet treats, right?” Tossing a wink at Pierce, I saw the moment he understood the double meaning to my words.

“But you don’t taste sweet, darling,” he said, voice low enough for only us to hear . . . I hoped. “You taste like sin. No,” he amended, a devilish glint to his eyes, “you taste like salvation.” With that, Pierce hooked a finger around my chin, tilting my face to his before he slammed his lips to mine.

I fell into his kiss, forgetting altogether that we were in my regular cafe. Pierce’s hand wrapped over my jaw, cradling my face as he kissed me. Slick began to gather between my legs and I clenched my thighs on instinct. The yellow floral midi skirt I wore did nothing to provide any relief.

“Harper, I have your drinks,” Ben called from a few feet away.

I sprang up, blood rushing to my face. I couldn’t believe we just made out in public like a bunch of horny teenagers.

Fuck, I’d need to find a new cafe to frequent.

Which was a shame since The Bean’s Knees was in walking distance to my condo.

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