Page 21 of Purple Scales & Coffee Tales

“Wow, these are great,” Maeve told us when she’d slipped on a pair of nude, three-inch heels and got to her feet. They made her legs look extra long and made her stand in a way that emphasised her perfect curves.

“See? Now I’m not that tiny anymore.” She grinned, walking over to stand next to me.

Maeve was tall. 5’10'' at least, but still short next to me.

“Much better.” I smirked back. “Shall we take them? They look great on you.”

“Okay, yeah. They’ll be really handy because I can wear them on more occasions than I could the higher ones.”

I waited until she sat, then knelt before her, taking hold of her ankle to open the little buckles and slip the heels off for her. Her pulse quickened at my touch, audible even over the shop’s background music and I kept her feet in my hands for a moment longer.

“There’s a section of Beacons over there.” Jutting my chin over at the wall, I set her feet back on the floor. “Pick a pair so you don’t have to wear these to work, okay?”

“What? Taran, that’s not necessary.”

“You can either be a good girl,” I muttered as I leaned in, “and pick them yourself or I’ll pick them for you. We are not leaving without them.”

These aren’t the last ones you’ll ever get from me, sweetling.

Eventually, she marched over and picked a pair of purple-and-white shoes.

Accompanied by a steady stream of stammered thanks, we left the shop with more parcels for Stuart to pick up. “Thanks, Taran. It’s way too expensive and there’s no need to spend all that money on me, but thank you.”

“I beg to disagree,” I told her lightly. There was every need to spoil her a little. “Would you grab a cup of coffee with me before we part ways?” Snatching her hand out of the air, I used it to point at a coffee shop we’d passed earlier.

Chapter Thirteen

Maeve

“Sure.”

As if I would have said no when you asked so nicely, Scales.

We wandered in the direction he had indicated and Taran led me inside with his hand hovering over the small of my back.

I should probably hate it, but I couldn’t. On the contrary, I wanted to snuggle back into his palm, feel his warmth seep into my body, have it rest heavilyjustabove the curve of my ass.

God, that man…

She always looks stunning in green.I didn’t even think he noticed what I wore, but apparently the green sweater I owned had made a lasting impression on him.

“Why don’t you choose a table and I’ll get our coffees?” he rumbled next to my ear, and damn it, I was this close to sighing blissfully and stretching like a cat at the pleasant shiver travelling the length of my body.

“Yeah, see you in a moment.” I wove through the tables to one in the back of the cafe, watching Taran order and quickly type a message on his phone before slipping it back into his pocket.

Another few minutes later, he joined me, carrying a tray with two plates and two cups.

“They had Milky Fairy Moss cupcakes. Have you ever had them?” he asked when he took a seat next to me on the bench, emptied the tray, and put it on an empty chair.

“No, I haven’t. Are they any good?” They looked delicious with a thick sugary glaze and tiny white blossoms instead of sprinkles.

“I’ve only ever had ice cream with that flavour, but it was amazing. I couldn’t pass these up.”

He excused himself to quickly wash his hands, and I followed suit, finally plopping down on the comfy bench with our thighs almost touching.

“Okay, let’s give them a try, yeah?”

“Yeah.” Taran grinned and started to pluck his cupcake apart. Then he picked one of the pieces with the frosting and blossoms and brought it up to my mouth. Without thinking, I took it from him.

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