Kami shook her head before climbing out of bed and crossing the room to the bathroom. She turned back to look at me before reaching the doorframe. “Well, why don’t you and your sexy head of hair go make some coffee? Since this is the first time,” she rolled her eyes again, “I should warn you: I am a bitch on wheels without my coffee.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I grinned, rolling out of bed.
Kami giggled as she entered the bathroom, causing the smile on my face to widen even more. “Ugh! You southern boys with your perfect manners! Kill me now!”
I popped into a hall bathroom to freshen up before heading to the kitchen in search of steaming hot ground goodness. They had one of those fancy machines that made one cup at a time. I had no fucking clue how to work one, but after tinkering with it and finding the little cups of assorted coffees, I finally figured it out. Kami walked in just as the first cup had finished brewing.
“I made you French Vanilla,” I said, handing her the hot, steaming mug. “You guys have so many different flavors, and I didn’t know which one you’d like. I figured it was safe.”
Kami took the cup in her hands and took a sip without the use of cream or sugar. “Oh, so you thought I looked like a vanilla type of girl?”
I had to turn away from the task of trying to brew my own cup to assess her face. I didn’t know if I had offended her or not, but the sweet smile on her face told me she was just teasing me. “I don’t know, Kami. Do you like vanilla?”
She shrugged, then took another sip. “It’s great sometimes; vanilla can be really good when it’s done right. But I like it a bit bolder. Stronger.”
I had to grasp the edge of the counter to keep from splaying her body across the breakfast bar and covering her with my mouth. Shit. There was no way we were still talking about coffee. The evidence was right there in her pink cheeks. Kami was flirting with me. And if she wasn’t careful, she would see just how bold and strong I could be.
Still blushing, Kami broke eye contact and set her mug down. I took the opportunity to finish making my cup of coffee, taking it black as well.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, making her way to the refrigerator. “I can make you breakfast.”
I sipped my hot brew and contemplated her question. Oh, I was hungry alright, but not for eggs and bacon. The way I was feeling at the moment, I was ready to make Kami my breakfast, and I didn’t have enough time to fully savor her.
“No, thanks. I actually have to get going. CJ will be by to pick me up soon. I texted him earlier.”
Her face instantly dropped though she caught it quickly, slipping on a manufactured smile. “Oh? Big plans today?”
“I don’t know. That depends, Kami,” I shrugged.
“Depends on what?”
“Whether or not you can be ready by 6.”
I set my cup on the counter and walked over to her at the refrigerator. I eased the door closed and propped an arm over her head, gently pushing her back against it. “I have to go by the bar, but I want to take you out later. I know it’s your day off so I understand if you have plans already. But if not, I want to spend the evening with you. Will you let me?”
I looked down at her big green eyes, our faces mere inches from touching. I needed to kiss her. So. Fucking. Bad. But not now. Not like this. I needed to make her believe that she needed to kiss me too. I needed to prove I was worthy of her lips.
The sounds of the front door opening and closing startled us, and I went back to where I had left my coffee. Not because I was scared or embarrassed, but because the ball was now in her court.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I can be ready.”
Dominic entered just as a relieved smile crept onto my face.
“Holy shit, what a night!” he exclaimed. Once his eyes fell on me, still shirtless and barefoot, his smile quickly faded, and he froze. His wide, almost angry, expression whipped to Kami, her back still flush against the fridge.
“Kam, what’s going on?” he asked her, though it sounded like he was asking her if she was ok.
Kami’s eyes met mine, and I took that as my cue to exit, downing my coffee and placing the cup in the sink.
“Hey, I’m gonna grab my stuff and wait for CJ downstairs. He should be here any minute.”
I walked over to Kami and slowly let my hand brush her cheek. I wanted to do so much more, but I didn’t need an audience.
“I’ll see you at 6,” I said quietly, still aware of Dom’s questioning gaze. Then I let my thumb graze her bottom lip before forcing myself to pull away.
“Dom,” I nodded as I passed him. He still looked confused, his eyes darting between Kami and me. I knew she was about to receive an earful, and I desperately wanted to save her from it. I heard the hushed interrogation before I even made it to Kami’s room.