Page 14 of Mocha Kisses

I laugh. “She’ll probably take it off and add some wild ass story to the persona she’s created.”

“You’re not wrong.” Nova pulls out the chicken from the fridge and rummages through the cabinet for a myriad of spices. “Where’s Rome? Is he eating with us?”

“He didn’t answer his phone and I know graduation is a few days away so he’s probably busy stocking up the display case.” Although Rome has rarely misses a call or at least returns it when he has the chance. It’s been a few hours since I last heard from him and he was only supposed to be dropping off baked goods to Ms. Elrod.

“He’s fine. Focus on the onions—shit, Fin.” Nova grabs my hand as the knife clatters to the cutting board and frantically inspects my fingers. I reach up and run my free hand through his hair as his entire body sags with relief. He might be my protector but he always seems to hurt when I do.

“I’m okay. I’ll focus. I promise.”

Nova lets out a deep sigh as he stuffs his head in the crook of my neck. It seems that he’s just as anxious about tomorrow as I am but for different reasons. I can’t imagine what turmoil he’s going through and I hate myself for putting him through this. I decide that tomorrow I’ll say goodbye to her, to patch up what we once had, and then turn my entire attention to the beautiful man in front of me.

When he pulls away, his eyes are clear and that warm smile is back on his face. “Whatever happens tomorrow, Fin, I hope you don’t leave me behind.” The rest of the dinner prep continues in silence and I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say. “I meant what I said last night. That whatever you choose, I’ll be right here. But I need you to choose, Fin. Now that you have the chance?Choose.”

“What are you saying?” I hiss. I walk back up to him and turn him from the stove, wanting an explicit answer and not just pretty words.

“I’m saying that one or both—you have to choose.”

I frown. “I wantyou.”

“Do you?” Nova growls out as a hand wraps around the front of my throat. He thrusts me back against the island, his heavy breaths fanning my lips. “Because I know how much you love that woman. I can see it in everything you do. Hell, I’m pretty sure I’m in love with that woman just by proxy. However, I don’t want to be left behind because you can’t make up your mind about what you want.”

He’s scared. My eyes flit across his face, drinking in his expression. I place my hands on his chest and lean up to press a kiss to his lips, moving as much as I can with his hand on my throat. “I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted you, Nova.”

Nova doesn’t seem sure but he attacks my lips anyway, greedily, undoing the ties on my pants. I’m half hard by the time he shoves my pants and boxers down my legs, his hips pressed against mine, showing me just how much he wants me. “I need you,” he growls again, before twisting me around so that my ass is now facing him. I let out a low groan as I hear a drawer open.

“Right here? What happened to dinner and writing?” I ask playfully.

“After.” His voice is dripping with need as the familiar sound of lube squirts on the seam of my ass. I jerk forward, not ready for the cold sensation as Nova roughly begins working me open. It’s not pretty and definitely going to sting a little but I’m ready for him. Nova undoes his zipper and pulls out his cock, the fabric of his pants rubbing against my asscheeks. Not soon enough he switches his fingers for his cock, both of his hands now propped up on the kitchen island on top of mine.

I lean my head back against his shoulder, eager for his lips. A breathy moan tears from my throat as his lips drop my neck, sucking on the sensitive skin. Nova pushes forward, inch by inch sinking into my ass. His fingers spread through mine, curling until we’re gripping the counter together. When he’s flush with my ass, we let out twin sighs of relief as if this position is everything we need in the world.

“You will always be mine, Griffin Solace,” he purrs against my neck. To anyone else, the show of possessiveness might have turned them off. To me? I like knowing that someone wants me so much that they claim me. One of his hands returns to my neck, squeezing around the front as he slides out of my ass and thrusts back in. My greedy hole flutters around his cock, threatening to suck him in further as if that’s even possible. He fucks me like a man trying to reclaim what’s his, pounding into me as if he has something to prove.

I give in completely, there for his pleasure even as my cock grows harder, steadily leaking as my orgasm races toward me.

“Are you going to come for me, Fin?” His fingers dig into my neck and I gasp at the loss of air as he slides all the way out and then pounds into me. Stars dot the edge of my vision as pleasure and pain shoot through my veins.

“Yessss,” I drawl as my hips stutter and my body slacks against his, ropes of cum splaying across the island cabinets. Nova isn't done with me yet as he licks up the side of my neck and kisses my ear, thrusting into my ass a few more times before he fills me with his cum, rope after rope of his release spilling into me. He fucks me through it, both of us groaning at the squelch until it’s dripping down the back of my thighs. “Nova, fuck, too much.”

“Mmhmm,” he mumbles into my ear, holding me as my body comes down from the high. I’m hot and sweaty now but I feel claimed and my head is clearer than it has been in days. “Now, you can go shower and then write,” He says. I’m about to grumble when he gives me a pointed look. “As much as I’d love to fuck you unconscious, you have deadlines and I need to feed you.”

Luna

I’mnotsurewhereI am for a few seconds. Then I remember I slept curled up next to Rome on his couch in the back of his café. I jolt up to a sitting position, Rome letting out a strangled groan as he plops to the floor. In the next second, he’s sitting cross-legged and smiling up at me like I didn’t just kick him off the couch.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”

My gaze narrows at him, wondering how the hell he looks so beautiful even when he wakes up. It’s not fair. “I have to go,” I mutter. The classic line but this time it’s true. I’m here on business and as much as I don’t want to face Griffin after leaving him six years ago, I don’t have a choice. Slowly, I slide off the cushions, looking for my bra and panties. At this point, most of my one-night stands try to reach for me and plead for me to stay.

Rome just pushes to his feet, watching me as if I’m the most precious thing in the world. “Why don’t you get washed up and dressed while I make you some breakfast, alright?” He points to a small bathroom that’s hidden by a door in the corner.

“I don’t-”

He cuts off my protest. “Nothing else is open right now and you need the sustenance. Don’t fight me on this, Luna. Please.” He’s pleading with me and I don’t understand why he cares so much. I’m just a woman passing through and he’s done more for me in 12 hours than my mother did my entire life.

“You do still owe me a coffee,” I say, hoping that I’m not overstepping. My panties are clutched in my hand, pressed against my chest as I stand in front of Rome with only his shirt covering me. I’ve never felt more naked in my life. Rome steps closer and folds his hands behind his back before pressing a simple kiss to the corner of my lips and walking out the door.

The sting of his lips wakes me out of the sexual haze he’s left me in. Goodbye kisses are always raw and passionate, spewing fake promises of another date or a longer night.Thatwas the kiss a man gives to their lover, a sweet and gentle embrace between two faces. And I have no fucking clue what to do with it.

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