“Better not thank me until you taste them.” She peers up at me.
“I have something for you.”
Her eyes droop into a playful glare. “Oh, really?”
Damn her. She’s making it extremely difficult to control myself.
I nod, reluctantly releasing her to lift the wrapped box from the floor and set it on my bed.
She peeks at me, her lips turning up into a beautiful smile as she carefully unwraps it. When the paper is peeled back just enough, she stops.
“Nooooo.” She spins to face me. “Slade Bennett. This is not fair. I cannot . . .”
I pull her to me again, linking my hands behind her back. “I’m not sure I should be supporting your addiction.”
“Addiction?” she scoffs. “I’m a mom and have been surviving on sludge that might possibly be coating my insides with tar.”
I drop my head to the side a quarter of an inch at her dramatics. “Why are you still drinking that stuff. I bought you a huge bag of grounds.”
Her arms drop from my chest to her sides. “You said it was buy one, get one.”
“I might’ve lied, but it was for a good cause.”
Her shoulders droop. “Is that so?”
I nod. “That stuff makes you so damn happy.”
Her mouth curls up, and she inhales like she can smell a fresh brew. “It really does. I’ve learned to savor the simple joys in life.” Her arms slide around my neck. “So, I’ve been using them sparingly when I have a really shitty day.”
“Well,” I lean down, brushing my lips across her cheek. “This will make your coffee taste like it was brewed in one of those fancy coffee shops.”
Her forehead presses against mine. “Slade, this is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever been given, but I cannot accept this machine, no matter how badly I want to make a cup right now.”
I press my lips to her. “Yes, you can.”
She shakes her head. “No, I really can’t.” It’s a bit of a whine.
“It’s not just for you.” I layer kisses down her neck. “I’ll walk over and you can fill my travel mug in the mornings.”
“That is not enough.”
My teeth graze her neck. “Oh, don’t worry. I plan on collecting payment in other forms.”
“Is that a promise?”
I pull away to meet her gaze. “I’ve never made a promise I intend to keep more.”
Her head tips back as she groans. “Fiiinnnee. I’ll make you coffee and wait to pay up.”
I stare into her eyes, imagining.
Her arms tighten around my neck. “Will you come over and sit in front of the tree with me tonight?”
“Can we go now?”
She rolls her eyes, grabbing my hand. “No. You are having a party with your friends first.” She pulls open the door.
“I’m not playing any stupid ass games.”
