I gently grab her elbow and pull her back in front of me. “I was kidding. Loosen up,Fallon Joy.”
Her eyes narrow before the corner of her lips slightly tilt up. “You’re rude.”
“And you’re too serious,” I say, moving into my pantry and grabbing the appliance from the top shelf. I went through a phase when I tried to drink it before work but never stuck with it. I’m naturally alert in the mornings anyway— a blessing when it comes to my job.
I set it on the counter and plug it in. When the clock flashes, I smile. “See, it might be old, but it still works.”
“Like you?”
“You can’t be that much younger than me.”
“We’ll see. I’m not celebrating until I have a hot cup in front of me.”
“Just give me five minutes, and you’ll be plenty satisfied.”
Fallon snorts, and then I realize what I’ve said. “Only five minutes, huh?”
“Trust me, babe. I can last all night.” I look up and meet her playful eyes.
“It’s because you’re a fuckman. Lots of practice, right?” Her serious tone has me bellowing out a laugh.
“And you know what they say about that? Practice makes perfect.” I shoot her a wink.
And although she doesn’t respond, I swear I see a hint of a blush covering her cheeks.
After everything’s rinsed and situated, I press the brew button. Seconds later, coffee drips into the carafe.
Fallon looks like a kid in a candy store, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile this wide. Once it’s finished, I grab a mug and fill it for her.
“I’m sorry I don’t have any cream, but I have plenty of milk and sugar.”
“Fine by me. I prefer it black anyway,” she says.
“To match yourblack heart?”
“Yep,” she deadpans.
Fallon takes a tiny sip because it’s still really hot and moans. That sound has my cock twitching. I swallow hard, forcing my gaze away from her as she glances at me over the top of her mug. “It’s exactly what I’ve been missing in my life.”
“My mom has plenty more if you need it. That woman loves her coffee.”
“She sounds way cooler than you,” she taunts, hugging the ceramic with her hands.
“Yeah, I have a feeling you’ll change your tune once you learn her love for Christmas is twice as intense as mine.”
She makes a face, but then her lips curve into a smile as she blows on the liquid. “Right now, I don’t care about anything other than drinking this.”
Fallon grabs an ice cube from the freezer and puts it inside. Once it’s cool enough to drink, she takes a big gulp and sighs.
“If this is all it took to make you happy, I would’ve jumped on the snowmobile four days ago.”
Fallon playfully rolls her eyes, but when she looks at me, there’s fire behind them.
I wish I knew why she continues to put on this hard-ass act because that’s what it is. There are moments when her mask slips, and I see the real person hiding behind the scowl. She’s more transparent than she thinks, but I’ll continue to let her believe she has me fooled.
“Oh, before I forget. The furnace guy said he’s booked up, so it might be a few days before he can come out.”
“Great.” She frowns.