Chapter 18
The chalk whispers against the menu board as I write out today’s lunch specials. My hand moves on autopilot. I can barely remember making it through the morning rush, but every detail of last night is as vivid and sharp as the sunlight cutting through the winter sky.
I recall the sweet agony on Lexie’s face when I teased her mercilessly, those breathy whimpers that drove me crazy.
Her naked breasts, round and full, with small toffee nipples protruding perfectly in the center.
I remember how hard they felt against my palms and tongue, the way she smelled and tasted all over.
I remember her soft curves beneath me, her hot wetness dampening her panties, and my struggle for control.
I wanted to draw out her pleasure for as long as she could stand it, all while fighting the battle to go medieval.
But when she wrapped those elegant fingers around my cock and asked how to make me come—fuck—the battle was lost.
I climaxed so hard I saw stars. The only thing that would have made it better would have been the ripple and pulse of her own orgasm. I want to give her that and so much more.
“Chaz!”
The chalk nearly slips from my hand as Sophia shrieks my name through the empty café. My heart jumps, but I manage to keep my balance on the step ladder.
“Jesus!” I snap, looking down at my sister, who’s bouncing on her toes like a kid on Christmas morning.
“Sorry!” she says, not sorry at all. “Chloe got me the weekend pass. She said I could stay with her. I need those days off.”
I exhale, stepping down from the ladder and tossing the chalk into the pail. “You could’ve told me that without nearly killing me.”
Her excitement doesn’t wane. “I’ll find someone to cover.” She presses her palms together in a prayer gesture, shaking them at me. “Please be happy for me.”
Despite the trepidation I feel, I force a smile. “It’s great news, Soph.”
Before she can throw her arms around me, Lexie walks in, and the air seems to lighten, charge, and warm all at once.
She’s bundled up in the raspberry scarf she often wears, her cheeks pink from the cold.
Her navy-blue eyes flick to mine, and for a beat, there’s nothing else.
Our gazes hold, and I see the memory of last night play across her features, deepening her blush.
We share a smile—until the chaos of Sophia bursts through the moment.
“Lexie!” She darts around the counter. “You’re just in time! I need your advice. Come with me!”
Lexie startles at Sophia’s exuberance. She doesn’t resist as my sister pulls her toward a table near the window, launching into her news before they even sit down.
I watch them from behind the counter, reaching for the milk steamer and starting on a latte for her. They look good together. Lexie’s calm, thoughtful demeanor balances Sophia’s boundless energy.
Inspired by her scarf, I mix the classic pairing of white chocolate with raspberry, adding a splash of vanilla to smooth out the flavors. Then I pour in a shot of espresso and the steamed milk, working the foam into the shape of a rose and dusting it with cocoa powder.
I scribble a note on a napkin, one that’s sure to make her cringe and smile at the same time.
Resigned to the fact that my sister has stolen my coffee date with Lex, I make Sophia her usual—a sparkling pink lemonade refresher—and bring it over along with two warm berry scones.
I place the latte in front of Lexie.
“Thank you.” There’s a glimmer in her eyes as they drift from the rose back up to me. “It’s beautiful.” She pauses a moment to appreciate it before taking out her phone to snap a few pictures.
When she lifts the cup for a sip, she grins, shaking her head, and I know she’s seen my note. “This is so good,” she says of the latte, tucking the napkin into her coat pocket. As she does, her fingers brush against my hand—brief, discreet, and only for me.
Sophia glances between us, her face scrunching up. “Aw, you two are so cute.”
“Your brother is very adorkable.”
Sophia laughs. “Wait till you see his comic book collection. The ones on his shelves are displayed like trophies, and he keeps the others organized in protective sleeves. He even has them all listed in a spreadsheet.”
“Really?” Lexie says, intrigued.
“All right, that’s enough about me,” I interject. “How goes the plotting?”
Sophia rolls her eyes at me. “I have no idea what I should say to a marketing director or a VP. I don’t want to screw up my chances by saying the wrong thing. I know I can chat too much and, like, be over-the-top sometimes.”
“You’re the perfect amount of you,” Lexie says, beating me to it.
“I can’t stress enough the importance of being yourself.
That’s what you want to showcase at these events.
Without much experience yet, what you bring is your uniqueness—your work ethic, your contagious effervescence.
Companies that value those traits will be the best fit for you.
If you have to be something you’re not, it probably isn’t the right firm. ”
Sophia listens intently, hanging onto her every word. Lexie echoes my sentiment about Sophia staying true to herself. She’s learned the hard way about the cost of twisting herself into someone she isn’t. Now she’s here, rediscovering herself—the woman I’m falling more in love with each day.
“I’m going to steal Lexie for a moment,” I say, inserting myself when there’s a break in the conversation. “I need to show her something in the back.”
“Uh-huh,” Sophia drawls. “I’m sure you do.”
“Watch the counter,” I shoot back with a smirk. “We won’t be long.”
Lexie takes another sip of her latte and rises, brushing imaginary crumbs off the front of her bulky sweater.
It’s baggy and hides all the fun stuff, but it’s still sexy on her-—everything is.
As I urge her ahead of me, gesturing toward the back room, my gaze slides down her long legs, encased in black leggings and knee-high boots.
Last night, I’d seen her in nothing but her panties. White cotton had never looked so good.
“Thanks for what you’re doing,” I say when we reach the back and the door closes behind us. The room is multi-functional, serving as space for my desk, storage shelves, and a small prep kitchen with a stainless steel counter and industrial fridge.
“I like Sophia,” she says. “She’s smart and creative, full of energy and optimism. I want to see her land well—with a company that values what she brings. I know how important that is to you.”
“It is.”
“So, is that why you brought me back here? To thank me?” She tilts her head, looking up at me through her glasses. Her bangs softly curtain her face, her hair brushing her shoulders.
“There was one other thing.” I take a step forward and comb my fingers through the sides of her hair, looking into her eyes. “I made a white-chocolate foaming cream that I wanted to get your opinion on.”
“Sounds delicious.”
“Wait here.” While she leans against the counter, I grab the bowl from the fridge and open the lid, scooping cream onto my finger. I bring it to her mouth. She parts her lips, and I slide it inside, her tongue brushing my skin before she closes her mouth and sighs.
“The texture is so smooth,” she says. “Sweet but not cloying. It’s delicious.”
“I should try it then?”
“Yes.” She dips her fingers into the bowl and returns the favor.
Something this sweet wouldn’t normally be my thing, but with Lexie feeding it to me, I could eat the whole bowl.
“Good, right?” she says with my mouth closed around her finger.
“I know how I’d like it even better.” My hand goes to the buttons of her cardigan. “Any objections?”
She shakes her head, breathing faster now.
I am too. I release each of the six buttons, and her sweater falls open.
Her thin bra with little daisies is snug, her nipples straining against the material.
I trace the V neckline, sliding my fingers between her warm cleavage and circling her nipples. “Do you only wear cotton?”
“Y . . . es,” she replies between choppy breaths. “I . . . I like to be comfortable.”
“I love comfortable.” I trap her nipples between my thumb and forefinger and give them a tug.
“Chaz,” she moans, her head falling back as she thrusts her breasts forward.
“Do your panties match?”
“Of course.” Her voice trembles. “I buy them in sets.”
“Nice.” I bend my knees, sliding my hands up the back of her thighs to cup the curves of her ass, and hike her onto the counter.
I tug the cups of her bra down, and her breasts spill out. Dipping my fingers back into the bowl, I cover her nipples in cream.
She shivers from the initial cold, but my mouth goes to work, warming them up and licking them clean.
“You’re right.” I look into her glazed eyes. “Delicious.”
Her arms come around my shoulders, and her legs wrap around my hips, sparking an uproar from my chest to my cock. Our kiss is hungry—all lips, teeth, and tongue. My hands fill with her. Then—
A knock at the door.
“C, we have customers,” Sophia shouts.
Shit! I clear my throat and then call out, “I’ll be right there.”
“Oh my God.” Lexie stares at me, horror dawning in her glassy eyes as her fingers fly to her sweater, and she starts blindly fastening the buttons. “I can’t believe we did that. Here!”
Neither can I. I’ve never lost my mind like this before, not to the point of not caring where I am. But do I have any regrets? Not a fucking one.
I help her off the counter and re-button her sweater, which was askew. She smooths her hair down. There’s something sweetly intimate in watching her restore her composed, outward appearance when I know the sexy, passionate woman beneath it.
“That was one hell of a coffee break,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
She manages a laugh.
“While Sophia’s away, want to help out at the café?”
“Seriously?” Her eyes widen.
“Sure. Jamar and I will be on drinks, and Soph can show you the ropes of taking orders and operating the register. How’s that sound?”
“Intimidating but fun.”
“We’ll work on making it more fun than intimidating.”
“Okay.” She smiles and brushes her hand over my shoulder and down my arm. “Maybe you can also show me your music studio while she’s gone.”
“I’d like that. You can stay over.”
“Oh?”
“Nothing will happen that you don’t want. I like the idea of having you in my bed. I want to wake up with you in the morning, get ready together, and then walk over to the café.”
“That does sound nice.”
It sounds more than nice. It sounds like everything I want with her.