Page 23 of Thorn Kiss
The cafe was always quick, even on Sundays. I smiled as Tabby put a tray down with our food and coffee.
“Here you go, Mr. Whynot. The coffee is a caramel apple butter latte.”
“Thanks, Tabby.”
She glanced past me at Madi and beamed as if she’d just received the biggest secret in the world. “Good luck on your date. She’s so pretty.”
The teens were menaces here. I didn’t correct her assumption, though. Instead I picked up the tray with our food and coffees, grabbed silverware, and took it outside.
“Two avocado toasts,” I said as I sat down. “Because I, too, am a basic bitch.”
Madi’s laugh was musical. She picked her latte up and we rearranged things on the table. I turned and leaned back, sliding the tray into a bin next to the door.
“This looks good,” she said. “What did you get me?”
“It is a caramel apple butter latte. I’ve been assured by Tabby, the teen who made me feel ancient just now, that it is very sweet. She also said you’re pretty, so I have a feeling she’s right about things.”
Madi lit up. “A wise one, I see.”
“Extremely.”
I watched as she lifted the orange mug and took a sip. She let out a soft sigh, the caramel drizzle sticking to her upper lip. She swiped it away with her tongue and my imagination went haywire.
“This is delicious.” Her lashes cast shadows down her cheeks, her bright blue eyes raising to meet mine. “Is there something on my face?”
My heart skipped a beat. “I think I just like looking at you.”
Silence settled between the two of us. Once again, I wondered if I’d overstepped.
“I like you,” I finally said. “I know we just met. I know saying anything like this is unreasonably fast, but I am attracted to you in a way that feels like a planet caught in gravity’s pull. I really like being around you. But I don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to pressure you into anything more.”
“I don’t feel pressure.” There was a seed of hesitation in her voice. “I want you too, if I’m being honest. I keep telling myself to flirt with you and be brave, but . . .”
“But?”
“I’m not brave,” she whispered. “I’m not good at flirting. I’m not even cool.”
I leaned back in my chair. I was shocked she’d even say that about herself. “I know we’ve just met, but I think I have to disagree with you on all counts.”
“It’s complicated, though,” she said. “And I want . . .”
“Whatdoyou want?”
Madi pressed her lips together, but then met my gaze. “I want sex. I want kinky, really fucking good, mind-numbing sex.”
CHAPTER SIX
Dallas
Fuck me.
I’d expected a lot of answers, but that wasn’t one of them.
I adjusted in my chair. My cock throbbed as I crossed my legs, holding her unyielding gaze.
If she wanted hot and kinky sex, that was something I could offer. It’d been too long since I’d been with someone who was into what I liked.
What if Madi was?
