Page 48 of Reckless King

Her brows draw together, but her confusion is quickly replaced by a flare of understanding. “Um.” Her throat bobs in a swallow. “Yes, but?—”

It’s all I need to hear before my mouth is hard against hers. Her lips part on a gasp, and I take the opportunity to slide my tongue inside. She tastes sweet, as if she’s been sampling the pastries on display, except she’s tasted just as delicious each time I’ve kissed her. It’s all her, and fuck if it isn’t addictive. Ifsheisn’t addictive.

She’s hesitant at first, but then she turns pliant, her tongue meeting mine. I know what I asked of her—what I’m doing to her—is inappropriate at her place of work. And maybe if there were more customers in the shop, I wouldn’t have done it. Or maybe that’s a lie and I wouldn’t have cared who was here to witness me kiss her.

I pull back before I’m ready, leaving her breathless in front of me, her already plump lips swollen from the pressure of mine.

In a daze, she brushes her fingertips over the evidence of how I’ve claimed her. It isn’t until a couple of young women sitting at a small table at the back give us a round of applause that she startles and her eyes refocus. As if suddenly remembering where we are, her gaze darts around the shop. When she makes it to the women, one of them lets out a whoop and shouts, “Go girl!”

I don’t bother looking back over at Jarrod. If he didn’t know we were together before, he does now. Like a magnet, my hand finds the small of Violet’s back as I walk her toward the counter. “Jeremy and I felt like a coffee and thought we’d drop in.” I remember what she was doing when we came through the door. “Is the machine working?”

She sighs. “It’s on its last legs. Thankfully, Jarrod’s incredible at keeping it going. That’ll be my first purchase when—” Her eyes find mine, widening slightly, and I know what she stopped herself from saying. She’s waiting for the money from our arrangement to come through at the end of the month.

She rounds the counter and leans on it, cocking her head, her expression curious and a little wary. “So you felt like a coffee and decided to come all the way out here?”

I give her a thorough once-over, not bothering to hide my smirk. “I had a very compelling reason.”

The faintest of pinks stains her cheeks. “Oh yeah, what’s that?”

“Someone told me this place serves the best coffee in New York.”

The way her shoulders sag a little sends a surge of satisfaction through me. It means she isn’t completely immune to me, regardless of how adamantly she’d argue that fact if I called her on it.

“And that I wouldn’t be able to keep my eyes off the woman serving it.”

That brings a subtle curve to her lips. “Did that person tell you that the woman serving it is taken?”

I frown at her, feigning disappointment. “That’s too bad. I was hoping to ask her out on a date.”

“Good thing I told you, then. Now you can save yourself the embarrassment of asking.”

With a chuckle, I tap my knuckles against the countertop between us. “Thanks for the warning. It sounds like her boyfriend is quite the catch. It’s obvious she’s crazy about him.”

Her responding eye roll is accompanied by a huff of laughter. “More like beingdrivencrazy.” She tilts her head. “Seriously though. Why are you here?”

“I’m here for coffee, and I’m here to see my girlfriend.”

She purses her lips and scrutinizes me, her eyes filled with skepticism.

Grinning, I lean closer. “And I thought we could work through some marketing ideas. Maybe I can offer some insights.”

Her expression brightens. “I’ve been thinking of some already. Your conversation with your brothers on Saturday night inspired me.”

“Oh yeah? Do you have time to go through some of them now?”

“Absolutely.” She turns to Jarrod. “Could you make three cups of the new blend, please?” When she addresses me again, her eyes are lit with excitement. “I’ll grab my notebook and be right over.”

I pull out my black Amex, and when she shakes her head, I put it down on the counter and slide it across to her. “I’m paying.”

She puts her finger on it and pushes it back, focus fixed firmly on my face. “No, you’re not.”

“Do you really think it’s good business sense to refuse a customer’s payment?” I shouldn’t provoke her, but I can’t help it. I enjoy the thrill of it too much to stop.

She leans forward, bracing her hands on the countertop and narrowing her eyes. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to cross your girlfriend and insult her in her place of business?”

Fuck. My dick instantly stands at attention. I don’t know whether it’s the fire blazing in her eyes or hearing her call herself my girlfriend with that heat in her tone. Either way, I’m rewarding her for it.

I snag my credit card from the counter. “You’re right. This is your business, and if mygirlfriendwants to treat me, who am I to argue?”

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