Page 34 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

After the brown mess is cleaned up, he pulls out a cup and does some tinkering with the black machine and brown powder. It makes a strange buzzing noise before he places the cup in the little empty space that curves inward on it.

The buzzing sound grows louder as it turns the brown powder into a dark steamy liquid that pours into the cup.

An even more divine smell seeps around the kitchen making my mouth water.

Once the buzzing stops, Hook takes the cup and lifts it to his lips making me frown.

Of course, he made it for himself.

I reach up to the same cupboard to get a cup to make one for myself when he stops me. I narrow my eyes on him, but he just gives me a soft smile.

“It’s hot.” He blows into the cup before passing it to me.

I take it and glance down at the dark liquid before raising a brow at him.

“Poisoned?” I ask with a small smile.

“Most definitely.” His reply is instant, making my smile grow.

Staring right at him, I take a sip and then a gulp, ignoring the burn as it slides down my throat.

Laughter filled his eyes as he walks over to a large set of cupboards. I stop drinking my new favorite drink long enough to peek into it.

No wonder I couldn’t find the food. It was hidden among the cupboards, blending in with them.

Hook takes out a few items while I stare down into my cup and wonder what type of magic it holds. The more I drink, the more awake and refreshed I feel.

“What did you call this again?” I needed to know so I could figure out where to get more of it. Especially after I leave this place.

Hook glances over his shoulder, a soft, happy look on his face that catches me off guard.

“Coffee,” he tells me. Shaking his head, he turns back to the counter and starts chopping something. I walk up beside him wondering what he’s doing and where he got the sharp knife from.

I take another sip of my coffee and frown when I realize it’s all gone.

“How do I make more?” I glance back at the coffee machine wondering if it will revolt once again.

“Eat something first. I don’t want you to be so full of energy that you grow wings and fly away.” His look is full of glittery humor.

But if that was possible, I would’ve downed the entire bag of brown powder the second I found it.

“Scared you couldn’t catch me?” I taunt.

He steps closer, forcing me to take a step back as his eyes grow darker.

“Not even a little. I’d enjoy every moment of it, relish in the hunt itself before plucking you from the very sky only to pin you down and make you mine.”

That insufferable—I bend my knee and aim it between his legs only for him to catch it and push me back into the counter and lean into me.

“Did you want toplay, Tink?” His eyes sparkle with humor, but I don’t miss the heat hidden beneath.

I shove him back, and his deep laugh echoes throughout the room as I cuss him out. He opens his mouth to say something when Cash walks in and heads straight for the cupboards that store all the food to take out a piece of fruit. Or what looks like fruit.

Turning to us both, he leans against the island counter and takes a bite.

“Arden should be at the spot in a couple of days.” Cash finally looks up from his food and freezes, his eyes bouncing from Hook to me. I glance up at Hook to find him still staring at me, his lingering gaze making my body slowly heat.

“Good.” Hook wets his lips before turning back to prepare the food. It takes a moment for my mind to finally catch up to what they’re saying. They’ll be going out soon, leaving here to meet someone called Arden.

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