Chapter 26 · Ch26

Coffee He caught my wrist before the coffee hit my mouth, and I set the mug down and said, "I'm done using caffeine as a delay. Take me like I asked." Kitchen counter. Morning light. No interns. No rumor yet. He looked wrecked with relief. I pulled his shirt open and kissed the line of muscle he'd been using as armor.

"Look at me while I take you," I said, and he lifted me onto the counter and slid inside because I put him there. Long, slow, both of us asking. Not a job. Not a stand-in. A marriage I could taste. We came together, coffee cooling, the city not invited.

After, I said, "If a rumor prints my name today, we answer dressed. I asked. Please. I want you. Don't stop. The talk went low. That's it. I've got you. Come for me. He shoved my shirt off. Clothes already wrecked.

Full weight covering me. I trembled and still pulled him in. He slid inside because I opened the door this time. Slow, then a rhythm we chose, tight/slick, no audience. We changed nothing about the plot and everything about the pace. I came with him, marked, asking, answering.