5. Maddie #2
His expression doesn’t change. “I didn’t have any plans.”
Dammit, he’s going to make me ask. And really, it’s only fair since obviously he knows that I’m single.
“So, no girlfriend then?” I roll my lips together.
His light blue eyes bore into me, like he’s trying to figure out my motivation for asking such a question. But I feel like my motivation should be pretty clear. I’m asking because he’s the hottest man I’ve ever talked to, and before I let my fantasies take over, I need to make sure he’s not taken.
Even if I’ll only climb him like a goddamn swing set in my imagination, I need that peace of mind. I don’t ever want to be the other woman .
An eternity later, Axel shakes his head.
It’s not quite the resounding no I was hoping for, but I believe him and let out a small exhale of relief.
“Well, even if you didn’t have other plans, I still appreciate it.
I was already stressing out about how long I should sit here and wait for him if he was late.
” I sigh. “I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, which means I’d probably have sat here forever.
Or at least until the pitying looks of others proved to be more than I could handle.
” I’m rambling now, my internal switch having flipped from stunned silence to nervous chatter, so I clamp my mouth shut.
Anger clouds Axel’s features, “Any man that makes you wait, is not worth your time.”
In the split second it takes my brain to register his words, my throat tightens.
My mom said those exact same words to me once.
I was in high school, in the process of being stood up for my first ever date and in full denial, and I blew up in her face.
Telling her I’d wait as long as it took, that he’d be there, that true love took work.
Of course, none of that was true and my night ended with me crawling under my covers fully dressed and sobbing into my pillow.
And thus started a trend of me being stood up that would carry on until… well now, apparently.
I swallow against the memory.
What I wouldn’t give to have my mom lecture me once more. She’d surely tell me that same advice, for the hundredth time, and maybe this time I’d actually listen.
“I’m serious,” Axel leans forward, clearly mistaking my silence for disagreement.
“Any prick that stands you up doesn’t deserve you.
I mean that.” He drags one of his oversized hands through his hair.
“Fuck,” he growls, dropping his hand back down.
“But if you have your heart set on meeting Brian, I won’t stand in your way. I couldn’t do that. To either of you.”
“What?! No!” My hands slap down on the table, and I instantly hunch my shoulders, not meaning to make so much noise. In a more controlled tone, I explain, “I mean, no offense to Brian or anything, but we’ve barely exchanged messages. It’s not like we really know each other. I was just…”
My favorite server in the whole wide world shows up right in time to save me, because I don’t know how I was going to finish that sentence, but it probably wasn’t gonna be good .
I was just saying yes to the first guy that showed interest.
I was just so desperate that I was willing to meet a man that was still a total stranger.
“Here you are, honey,” the server says, setting down another full-to-the-brim drink.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
When she angles towards Axel, I pick up the half-full glass I still had and down the contents.
Handing the empty to the server before she leaves. The woman smirks, knowing I’m well on my way to being totally drunk.
But I mean, come on. Can you really blame me? This situation is… a bit much.
Unexpectedly, my favorite scent hits me and I’m smiling before my eyes fall on the steaming mug sitting in front of Axel.
“Coffee?” I ask, even though I can see what it is for myself.
He nods, lifting the mug, “Coffee.”
He brings the edge of the mug up to his mouth, pressing his lips against the curved ceramic, and gently blows across the surface.
The move is entirely innocent, but also unbelievably sensual. And my body reacts as though his breath is cooling my bare skin instead of his coffee.
My teeth clamp down on my lower lip, trying to keep in a groan. When I close my eyes tonight, this is the exact scene that will greet me. And lord help me, my hand will probably be down my pajamas.
The mug tips, and he takes his first taste.
There’s no reaction on his face. No sense of pleasure. No eyes rolling back at the joy of coffee on his tongue.
“Is it good?” I ask before I can help myself.
One of his brows lifts, like he can’t believe I’d ask. “It’s coffee.”
“Well, yeah. But I mean, is it good ?” I emphasize the word this time, like maybe he didn’t get my question the first time.
Axel lowers the mug to the table and slides it towards me. “Tastes like coffee, but you’re welcome to try it.”
I know I shouldn’t. I don’t know this man, and I’m not in the habit of sharing drinks with total strangers. But… coffee.
Letting go of my glass, I slide my hand forward .
“You’re left-handed,” I blurt out the observation, when I realize the mug handle is already aimed perfectly for my right hand to reach out and grab it.
Axel’s lips quirk up the smallest amount, “I am.”
Making a small humming noise, I mimic his movements from a moment ago and lift the plain white ceramic. Only instead of blowing on it, I inhale, and my nose scrunches instantly.
Burnt.
I already know I won’t enjoy the flavor but…
My brain swirls a little, that last drink hitting me all at once and giving me the courage to do exactly what I want to do. What I’m craving to do. Even though I know my tastebuds will protest at the flavor.
Glancing up, I lock eyes with Axel while I rotate the mug in my hand until the handle is in my left hand.
My heart is racing, so I steady the mug with both hands as I raise it to my lips. My mouth touching the mug in precisely the same spot where Axel’s was.
The bitter taste barely registers. My body is too busy lighting up with need as I watch Axel watching me. His nostrils flare and his chest expands.
I start to lower the mug but see a single drip of coffee on the rim. Lifting it back up, I slowly lick the spot clean.
My entire body is on fire, and I’m sure every inch of my skin is bright red, but the look in Axel’s eyes makes any amount of embarrassment worth it.
“Good?” His question is so deep, I swear I can feel the rumble of his word even in the noisy bar.
I nod, setting the mug back on the table and sliding it towards him. Then I remember what he’s actually asking and shake my head.
“Which is it, Maddie? Good or bad?”
I press my knees together under the table. “Very bad.” My flush deepens. “The coffee, I mean.”
He uses one large finger to hook the handle, pulling it back to his side of the table.
“You think so?” Lifting the mug he takes another sip, his mouth pressing directly over the spot where mine just was. Sealing my imprint between his.
I watch as his throat works on another swallow. Those big, tattooed hands holding the fragile ceramic.
“Tastes like coffee to me.”
“Then you have a lot to learn.” I nearly pant, feeling more turned on than I think I ever have.
“Is that so?”
I nod again, meaning it this time.
“You offering to teach me?”
Nodding for the third time, I reach for my own drink. Needing the iced beverage to cool my throat, since rubbing ice cubes on my chest would probably be frowned upon.
“Coffee is kinda my thing,” I tell him, setting my glass back down.
Axel inclines his head, “Is that right?”
I smile, “I have a coffee shop.” When an impressed look covers his face, pride fills my body and I find myself wanting to tell him more. “Have you heard of BeanBag Coffee?”
He dips his chin, “I have.”
My smile widens, “I bought the original location.”
Normally I wouldn’t just blurt that out, but I know these drinks are starting to erode my usual boundaries. And there’s just something about Axel that makes me feel comfortable. Safe. Like I can tell him things about me and he’ll give me more of those pleased looks he seems to guard so closely.
“I’d say that makes you an expert.”
I lift a shoulder, hoping to come off casual, “I know a few things.”
He makes a humming sound that’s way sexier than it ought to be, then he tilts his head towards my drink, “Since the coffee here isn’t up to par, what are you havin’?”
“Oh, this is vodka with cranberry juice.” I swirl my straw through the ice cubes. “I usually stick to hard cider but…”
When I trail off, Axel leans closer against the table. “But what, Maddie?”
I blow out a breath. “But I was super nervous.”
“About what? ”
My damn blush is back, “Going on a first date?”
I mumble the words, but he still hears me. “That’s understandable.” He reaches out and taps a finger against the side of my glass. “Is it good?”
My eyes follow the movement, “The drink? Yeah. I think the server hooked me up with some top shelf stuff because I can hardly taste the alcohol.”
His hand closes around the glass. “Do you mind?”
My pulse quickens even more. “You want to try it?”
“I let you taste mine.”
Breathing is hard.
When did breathing get so hard?
“Okay,” I whisper my agreement.
Before he picks up the glass, he uses his fingertips to spin it until my nearly invisible lip marks are facing him.
And I swear the blue of his eyes darkens as he lifts my drink.
I make sure my mouth stays shut as I watch his lips press against the chilled glass. His thick neck working as he swallows down a mouthful of the red liquid, and I feel that movement everywhere.
Sweet baby Jesus, this is how I die.
I’m going to self-combust in this bar. I’ll turn into a pile of ash that they’ll sweep away with the discarded straws at the end of the night.
“Good?” I ask, surprised I can even speak.
“It’s sweet.” He places the drink back in front of me. “I didn’t think it’d be my thing, but…”
“But?” I prompt when he doesn’t finish.
“But now that I’ve tasted it, I think I might need more.”