Page 38

COULTER

R iding in an unmarked police car was a little unsettling after everything I’d been through, but at least I was in the passenger seat and not the back. And it sure beat the roller coaster of emotions I’d been riding for weeks. I could hardly believe that it was finally over.

My heart was full of hope again, and butterflies stirred in my stomach–a mix of excitement and nervousness. Going to Faith’s house felt like a big deal. I tried not to overthink it, but I hoped it felt that way for her, too.

I squinted into the darkness, trying to remember if I’d ever been down this road before.

“Here we are,” Faith said as she turned into a paver stone driveway outside a coral-colored bungalow. “Home sweet home,” she said, swinging the car door open.

“Did you plant these?” I asked, pointing at the birds of parasite flowers on either side of the tiny porch while she unlocked the door .

“I did. They must be fairly robust plants, since they’re still alive.” She grinned, pushing the door open and reaching in to flip a light switch. “I’m afraid it’s a little messy.”

Scanning the open kitchen and living room, I noticed the thoughtful details in the coastal decor. The chenille pillows on the sofa were the same dark shade of blue as the strip in the curtains.

“This is a great little place. Good find,” I said, sliding my hand around her waist.

“It wasn’t easy, especially on a detective salary. Rents are just stupid here.”

“The Keys are getting harder every day for working class folks. I’m glad I bought my house when I did. It’s nearly doubled in value in five years.”

“Lucky you. Unless I hit the lotto, I’ll never be able to buy down here.”

“Lucky for you …I have plenty of room for you,” I drew her into my side, smiling, “if you play your cards right.”

“And what does that entail?” she smirked.

“First off, you show me how to use this.” I released her waist and stepped over to the stove, picking up a stainless steel espresso pot.

“The Moka pot?” she asked. “You want coffee this late?”

“I’ve always wanted to learn to make authentic cafe con leche,” I grinned. “And besides, I plan on keeping you up all night.”

Faith gave me that sly smile of hers that always made my stomach flutter.

“In that case I’ll have one too.” She snatched the Moka pot from my hands, unscrewing it to separate the chambers.

“Technically, you should boil water first, then add it to the bottom part, but you can skip that step if you’re in a hurry.

” She ran it under the tap to add water then screwed it back together, setting it on the stove.

“So you’re in a hurry to get to the keeping-you-up-all-night part?”

“Maybe…” she snickered, picking up a stainless steel canister off the counter and twisting the lid before she lowered her nose to take in the aroma.

A smile spread on her lips while she pushed the jar under my nose.

“Dark roast is essential. Finely ground.” Pressing with one thumb, she flipped open the lid of the espresso pot, and scooped two spoonfuls of coffee into the wire basket in the top.

With the flick of her wrist, she turned on the element.

“Heat on high until you hear it boiling, then take it down to medium low. When you hear it gurgle, it’s ready. ”

Swinging open the refrigerator door, she pulled out a half gallon of milk.

“Meanwhile, since I don’t have a steamer yet, I heat milk on the stove.

” She filled a stainless steel pot that was shaped like a pitcher halfway and placed it on another stove eye.

“You can whisk it for froth.” The wire whisk rapidly scraping the pot sounded like a percussion instrument.

Watching her whisk made me feel warm inside. “It’s quite an art.”

“My mom taught me when I was eight. I have it down to a science,” she beamed with pride. “Come here, I’ll show you. It’s all in the wrist, like casting a fishing line,” she slowed the movement down to show me and then passed me the whisk.

“Good,” she said, “now faster. ”

“My brow raised. This is kinda sexy.”

“You’re kinda sexy doing it,” she winked, reaching around me to turn the heat down.

I kept whisking until gurgling sounds came from the Moka pot. “Is it ready?”

“Yep.” She pulled the pot off the heat. “Since we’re going for authentic, I won’t cheat and just add sugar. For you, I’ll do espumita .” She poured a little bit of the thick, dark coffee into a mug and added three teaspoons of sugar.

“I use half sugar. Mom jokes it’s because I’m only half Cuban.

” After stirring it vigorously, she spooned the froth off the top of the milk into the mixture and stirred again.

Finally, she held a spoonful of the caramel-colored paste to my lips, touching to leave a dollop on my lower lip. “Sweet enough?”

I licked my lips, savoring the flavor. “Perfectly sweet, just like my barista,” I said, rubbing my hand over her ass while she added the steamed milk to the coffee in the mugs and topped it off with coffee.

“It’s super simple. Equal parts coffee and milk, and then the espumita goes on the top,” she said while spooning it into the mugs, giving each a single swirl. “And there you have it. Cafe con leche .”

I took a sip. “Mmm. Delicious.”

We carried our mugs out to the patio and she flicked the switch on the way out. Strings of twinkling fairy lights illuminated the cozy space among the tropical foliage. “Wow,” I said, smiling as she took the rattan seat beside me. “Gorgeous. ”

“No water view, but that’s above my pay grade.”

“You’re prettier than any water view.”

Faith rolled her eyes. “Cheesy bastard.”

“That’s one thing I’m guilty of,” I chuckled, “but only where you’re concerned.”

“Yeah, yeah.” She shook her head, blowing into her mug before taking another sip. Her shoulders relaxed back onto the chair and her voice turned whimsical. “I think this is the first time I’ve ever drank coffee staring up at the stars.”

“I like that. Hopefully we’ll have lots of firsts together.” God, I really was cheesy with her.

“If you play your cards right,” Faith said with a grin.

“I'm doing my best, Detective.”

“You’re doing just fine,” she said, settling back into her chair.

We sipped our coffee in virtual silence for a couple of minutes.

When she started asking about the fishing business, I decided it was not the time for small talk.

I set my mug on the table between us and stood up, holding out my hand.

“Come here, beautiful.” Faith left her mug and dropped her hand in mine, staring up into my eyes.

I pulled her to her feet and into my arms. “Thank you for bringing me here tonight.” My fingers brushed her cheek.

“It means a lot to me. And makes it feel more… real . You know what I mean?”

“I do,” she said, looking deep into my eyes. “I feel the same way.” Her hands moved up my back, and her fingers digging into the worn cotton of my T-shirt sent shivers up my spine.

My heart swelled with gratitude that I could finally make her my woman.

Dipping my chin, I lowered my lips to hers.

Our mouths moved in a slow rhythm, savoring the coffee-flavored kiss that I never wanted to end.

I bent my knees and scooped under her ass, lifting her off the ground.

Lips still locked to mine, Faith wrapped her legs around me, feet clasping behind my back.

I broke free from the kiss to say, “You know what? I think I missed your bedroom on the tour of the house. Can you point me in the right direction?”

“Living room, to the left,” she said, breathless, before finding my lips again with a soft moan.

I carried her to the back door, balancing her on one arm briefly to slide the glass patio door open.

Our tongues intertwined, I glanced around her as best I could to map my route and navigated around the sofa to the doorway on the left.

Pushing the door open with my foot, I took her to the edge of the bed, gently lowering her onto the fluffy white duvet.

Peeling my lips from hers, I stood, yanking my shirt over my head and tossing it to the floor. Faith raised her head and shoulders, propping herself on her elbows to watch me with a coy smile. The playful glint in her sapphire eyes made my dick press into my shorts.

“I love that smile,” I said, unsnapping my shorts.

Her lips spread even more as her gaze moved up and down my chest. “I love your abs.”

“I’m more than just a hot body you know,” I joked.

“Oh, I know,” she said, raising her brows. “But the hot body helps. ”

“This is what your hot body does to me,” I said, pushing my shorts to the floor. My dick pointed straight out like an arrow aimed at its target.

Faith’s eyes widened and she flipped around to her hands and knees, crawling toward me. I backed away before she could take hold of me.

“No, no, no you don’t,” I said, a hand on her shoulder to keep her at bay. “Remember what happened last time you did that?”

“I didn’t mind,” she giggled.

“I want to take my time with you.” I stepped closer and reached down her sides to pull her gauzy dress up over her head.

Rising to her knees, Faith’s blue eyes fixed on mine while she untied her hot pink bikini top. “We have all the time in the world.”

“I like the sound of that,” I said, soaking up the sight of her. Forever with this woman wouldn’t be long enough.

Faith called me with her hands, walking backward on her knees as I climbed onto the bed facing her.

Drawing her into my chest, I kissed her cheek to her ear and down her neck while my hands moved over the curves of her hips.

The hint of coffee on our breath mixed with the raw scent of passion that rose between us.