Page 28 of Matchmaking With Cupid

Chapter 13

ELOISE

Cupid led me inside his flat and I took it all in. Everything was neat and tidy, which wasn't much of a surprise given that was how he liked to keep his office.

"So, coffee?" he checked.

I nodded. "If you don't mind."

"I don't, but I should warn you that I have one of those little pod machines here rather than something fancier. I never really got the hang of brewing my own."

"That's okay, I don't really mind. The pod machines are fancy as far as I'm concerned." I followed him through into the kitchen and set the box of cannolis down on the counter. I expected to feel a little nervous about being here, but I wasn't. Maybe because I knew what I wanted, and had decided I was going to get it when I put matching underwear on earlier.

"What coffee do you want?"

"Does your pod machine have a mocha?"

"It does, but not in decaf. Is that a problem?"

"Why would it be a problem?" I asked.

"Well, it's late, some people don't like drinking coffee this late in case it keeps them up."

"Then it's a good thing I don't intend on sleeping any time soon," I responded.

He cleared his throat. "Caffeine it is." He popped a pod into the machine and pressed the button.

"I'm glad nothing dramatic happened at the restaurant," I said. "Though there's a part of me that would have loved to see Persephone make a scene."

He chuckled. "I think she's more of the complain quietly type."

"So we should expect to be in trouble on Monday," I mused.

"Potentially. But it should be fine." He set down my coffee and made one of his own.

"Well, that's Monday's problem," I decided. "My current problem is which of the cannolis to try first."

He chuckled. "The original."

"Ah, so all of the others can be measured against something. Clever." I opened the box and picked out the traditional one. I considered snapping it in half, but it was obvious that it wouldn't go very well and that it could just end with a mess if the fried dough crumbled. Instead, I lifted it to my mouth and took a bite. The sweet and tangy filling exploded on my taste buds, and I could see why Cupid had suggested this place, it was delicious, and this was the most basic one.

I covered my mouth with my hand as I chewed and held out the cannoli for Cupid. I thought he'd just take it from me, but instead, he leaned in and took a bite of his own. It was surprisingly intimate, though that had probably started around the time I'd bitten it instead of cutting. I washed it down with some of my coffee, enjoying the combination even if it was coffee-from-a-pod.

I ate some more and held out the last bite for him. His lips brushed against my fingers as he took it. My breathing hitched and all kinds of thoughts raced through my mind.

"You've got icing sugar on your cheek," Cupid murmured.

"Oh?" I lifted my hand to wipe it off.

"Other side." He stepped closer and lifted his hand, swiping away the sugar with his thumb.

My lips parted and I looked up at him, knowing that there was only one logical thing that could happen next. My eyes fluttered closed as his lips brushed against mine. The kiss was soft at first, searching for what we wanted it to be, but it soon deepened, bringing with it a surge of desire that I very much intended to act on.

We broke apart, and I was already breathing heavily. "Where's your room?" I murmured.

"This one." He took my hand and led me into another room. The bed wasn't made, which was an interesting change from how neat the rest of the flat was. He cleared his throat. "Sorry, I didn't know you were coming."

"I'm not yet," I joked.

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