Must. Figure. Something. Out.
Two hours after lunch, I think of the perfect way to get rid of the spy duo.
“Ms. Kim, can you get me a soy latte with extra whipped cream?” I ask politely in Korean.
“Of course.”
“Great. I’d like a venti from Coffee Heaven. Their stuff is amazing.”
She looks up the café. Then frowns and tries again. Finally, she clears her throat, her cheeks slightly flushed. She’s likely overcome with her own professional failure. “I’m sorry, but I can only find one. And it’s forty minutes away from here.”
“Oh, no need to apologize. That’s the only one.”
A corner of her eye twitches. “Must it be that café? The latte will be cold by the time I bring it back.”
“Yes, it must. That’s the best café in the area. But I totally hear you on the cold coffee. That’s why you’re taking Mr. Choi with you, so he can drive you fast.”
“I don’t think he can shorten the time to an acceptable amount, Ms. Hae.” Her words are stiffer than a leather folio.
“Probably not, with the traffic starting and all. I guess you’ll need to take a thermos,” I say sweetly. “I can’t believe I’m having to come up with all the solutions here. But I don’t mind too much, since I like you. A lot.” I grin. “Also bring a macchiato for Declan. He probably needs a caffeine boost too.”
“Of course, Ms. Hae.” She’s speaking smoothly, but I can see her jaw muscles flexing.
“And since I’m feeling generous, get some coffee for yourself and Mr. Choi as well. My treat.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Choi’s tone says he’d rather pay for his own coffee and stick around.
I wave at her and Mr. Choi. “Bye, now. Drive safely. If you get ticketed for speeding, it’s coming out of your pay.”
They leave together. I wait until I see the black Mercedes disappear and turn to Declan and spread my arms. “Ta-da! We’re alone!”
“Damn. How did you do that? She looked like she’d rather eat trash out of the compactor.”
“I sent her on a coffee run.” She didn’t bother to take a thermos. She knows it isn’t about the soy latte.
“Oh.” Declan sighs, his shoulders drooping a little. “That isn’t much time.”
“I think a little over an hour is plenty. Don’t you?” I shoot him an impish grin. “I sent them off to Caffeine Heaven, like a boss!”
His gray eyes light up. “Ooh. Well, then. It’d be a shame to waste the opportunity.”
?
??It definitely would—”
His mouth comes down over mine and our lips fuse. Our tongues tangle, and I moan as pleasure shivers down my spine. It’s been so damn long since we kissed, tasted each other like this.
His large, strong hands roam over my body. Even through the clothes, all my nerve endings are going crazy, like lit firecracker fuses. My heart is thundering, and I swear each boom is saying only one word—want, want, want.
I wrap my arms around his neck and press closer, needing a tighter connection, and kiss him even harder. I want to devour him. All the way from his head to his toes.
I should’ve sent Ms. Kim and Mr. Choi to a café in Arizona.
Declan pushes my skirt up, his palms hot against my suddenly bare thighs. He hooks his fingers in my underwear and tugs at the flimsy lace thong. The scrap of silk and lace falls, and I’m perched against the kitchen counter.
“You’re kinda hot when you get bossy,” he says, placing little kisses along my jaw line.
“Mmm. I do like being bossy.” I tunnel my fingers through his warm, soft hair and smile with satisfaction. Everything about his body is amazing. It’s like God specced him out exactly to my taste. “Especially when it gets me what I want.”