Page 64 of Off the Hook

I kept whisking until gurgling sounds came from the Moka pot. “Is it ready?”

“Yep.” She pulled the pot off the heat. “Since we’re going for authentic, I won’t cheat and just add sugar. For you, I’ll doespumita.” She poured a little bit of the thick, dark coffee into a mug and added three teaspoons of sugar.

“I use half sugar. Mom jokes it’s because I’m only half Cuban.” After stirring it vigorously, she spooned the froth off the top of the milk into the mixture and stirred again. Finally, she held a spoonful of the caramel-colored paste to my lips, touching to leave a dollop on my lower lip. “Sweet enough?”

I licked my lips, savoring the flavor. “Perfectly sweet, just like my barista,” I said, rubbing my hand over her ass while she added the steamed milk to the coffee in the mugs and topped it off with coffee.

“It’s super simple. Equal parts coffee and milk, and then the espumita goes on the top,” she said while spooning it into the mugs, giving each a single swirl. “And there you have it.Cafe con leche.”

I took a sip. “Mmm. Delicious.”

We carried our mugs out to the patio and she flicked the switch on the way out. Strings of twinkling fairy lights illuminated the cozy space among the tropical foliage. “Wow,” I said, smiling as she took the rattan seat beside me. “Gorgeous.”

“No water view, but that’s above my pay grade.”

“You’re prettier than any water view.”

Faith rolled her eyes. “Cheesy bastard.”

“That’s one thing I’m guilty of,” I chuckled, “but only where you’re concerned.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She shook her head, blowing into her mug before taking another sip. Her shoulders relaxed back onto the chair and her voice turned whimsical. “I think this is the first time I’ve ever drank coffee staring up at the stars.”

“I like that. Hopefully we’ll have lots of firsts together.” God, I really was cheesy with her.

“If you play your cards right,” Faith said with a grin.

“I'm doing my best, Detective.”

“You’re doing just fine,” she said, settling back into her chair.

We sipped our coffee in virtual silence for a couple of minutes. When she started asking about the fishing business, I decided it was not the time for small talk. I set my mug on the table between us and stood up, holding out my hand. “Come here, beautiful.” Faith left her mug and dropped her hand in mine, staring up into my eyes. I pulled her to her feet and into my arms. “Thank you for bringing me here tonight.” My fingers brushed her cheek. “It means a lot to me. And makes it feel more…real. You know what I mean?”

“I do,” she said, looking deep into my eyes. “I feel the same way.” Her hands moved up my back, and her fingers digging into the worn cotton of my T-shirt sent shivers up my spine.

My heart swelled with gratitude that I could finally make her my woman. Dipping my chin, I lowered my lips to hers. Ourmouths moved in a slow rhythm, savoring the coffee-flavored kiss that I never wanted to end. I bent my knees and scooped under her ass, lifting her off the ground. Lips still locked to mine, Faith wrapped her legs around me, feet clasping behind my back.

I broke free from the kiss to say, “You know what? I think I missed your bedroom on the tour of the house. Can you point me in the right direction?”

“Living room, to the left,” she said, breathless, before finding my lips again with a soft moan.

I carried her to the back door, balancing her on one arm briefly to slide the glass patio door open. Our tongues intertwined, I glanced around her as best I could to map my route and navigated around the sofa to the doorway on the left. Pushing the door open with my foot, I took her to the edge of the bed, gently lowering her onto the fluffy white duvet.

Peeling my lips from hers, I stood, yanking my shirt over my head and tossing it to the floor. Faith raised her head and shoulders, propping herself on her elbows to watch me with a coy smile. The playful glint in her sapphire eyes made my dick press into my shorts.

“I love that smile,” I said, unsnapping my shorts.

Her lips spread even more as her gaze moved up and down my chest. “I love your abs.”

“I’m more than just a hot body you know,” I joked.

“Oh, I know,” she said, raising her brows. “But the hot body helps.”

“This is whatyourhot body does to me,” I said, pushing my shorts to the floor. My dick pointed straight out like an arrow aimed at its target.

Faith’s eyes widened and she flipped around to her hands and knees, crawling toward me. I backed away before she could take hold of me.

“No, no, no you don’t,” I said, a hand on her shoulder to keep her at bay. “Remember what happened last time you did that?”

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