My Commander(21)

"Hey, this was supposed to make you happy, not sad." He wiped away her tears with his callused fingers.

"No one has ever done anything so nice for me before. Thank you." Meryn whispered and buried her face in his chest.

"Get used to it. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy spoiling you." Aiden rubbed his cheek along the top of her head. She suddenly felt more at ease knowing he was trying to mark her.

"You two are so beautiful!" Sydney sniffled behind the counter.

"He's pretty amazing right?" Meryn asked, stepping away from Aiden wiping her eyes on her shirt.

"You both are. Now. Which machine do you think you would want?" Sydney wiped his eyes on his towel and walked her over to the shelves.

"I like that one." Meryn pointed to the silver one that boasted ease of use, not only in making drinks but also in the maintenance of the machine.

"Great choice. To set you up on a reoccurring bean order, I need to know how many shots you'll go through. How many drinks do you think you'll have?"

"In a day?"

"Sure." Sydney pulled out a clipboard from beside the register.

"Um. Two to wake up. One for mid morning, one after lunch. One afternoon pick me up and one after dinner. So six." Meryn held up her fingers. Sydney stared.

"Do humans process caffeine different than shifters?" Sydney asked. Justice cleared his throat and responded.

"Caffeine affects them more." They all stared at her.

"What?" They continued to stare.

"I need it to live!" She stamped her foot.

"She's scary in the morning." Aiden shuddered. Both Justice and Sydney looked at her in renewed horror. Evidently, anything that is bad enough to scare a Unit Commander was pretty bad.

"I'll set up that delivery order immediately. In fact, take some beans from stock for the next few days." Sydney went behind the counter and pulled out a bag of beans.

"I'll get the machine." Justice disappeared heading to the back.

"Girl, kudos to you. I can't wait to see how those hoity toity society puppets will react to you." Sydney snickered.

"Don't remind me. She's been invited to participate in mother's sewing circle tomorrow." Aiden groaned.

"The Daughters Lycaonia Sewing Circle? Seriously? Is that wise?" Sydney eyed Meryn.

"Probably not, but my mother wants to show her off."

"She's met Meryn right?" Sydney asked. Aiden nodded.

"I'm right here guys!" Meryn whacked Aiden, "I said I would be good and I will." Meryn's sour mood evaporated when Justice walked back from the stock room with a brand new espresso machine.

"Okay girlfriend, here's the beans, a few bottles of syrup, a recipe list and my phone number. Call me later and I'll give you the scoop on all the proper ladies you'll meet tomorrow." Sydney handed her a pretty paper shopping bag filled with coffee supplies.

"Thank you Sydney, I feel like I am going into battle tomorrow with no ammo." Meryn admitted.

"Trust me darlin', I can give you lots and lots of ammo." He winked.

"Wonderful. I don't know if introducing the two of you was smart or not." Aiden took the heavy shopping bag from Meryn and easily held it along with her new machine.

"Definitely not a good idea, but I have a feeling it will be entertaining." Justice smiled.

"True. Okay Menace, let's go." Aiden steered her to the door. Meryn waved and laughed at Sydney who was holding his pinky and thumb up to his face in the universal 'Call Me' sign. She nodded.

Aiden took her all around the city showing her his favorite hangout places and restaurants. She laughed at the child like delight he displayed when they were at the bakery. She giggled when he ordered bear claws and he laughed with her. Then he amazed her by eating almost a dozen.

"You don't get to judge. You drink insane amounts of coffee and I love sweets." Aiden poked a finger in her side causing her to squeal.

"Bear claws for your bear claws. Grrrrr." Meryn held up her curled fingers in a mock growl. Aiden threw his head back and laughed openly. When his smiling face turned to her, she couldn't help it. She stood up from her chair and captured his lips. She saw his stunned expression before she closed her eyes as he took over. His hand cupped the back of her head and she felt his agile tongue trace the roof of her mouth. Her legs were shaking when they broke apart.

"You taste like lemons." He took a deep breath and shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He winced as he adjusted his pants. Dazed, she nodded and sat back down. Damn that man. His kisses made her stupid.

"Good work there Commander." A male voice congratulated.

"Thanks Darren. How's your mate?" Aiden stood and greeted the bakery owner who had approached their table.