Page 197 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

She disappears down the hall to change while I find two mugs. When she comes back, she's wearing jeans and a soft sweater, her hair loose around her shoulders. I forget about the coffee.

Her smile comes slowly. "You were doing something."

"Was I?"

She laughs. "You were making coffee."

"Right." I turn back to the counter. Behind me, she's still laughing. I don't care.

She takes a small covered dish from the refrigerator and sets it between us. "You actually have another dessert."

"I told you."

"What is it?"

"Something I've been working on." She takes a spoon and scoops up a bite. "Taste."

I lean closer. She feeds it to me. Chocolate. Orange. Something warm underneath I can't identify. I take the spoon from her. She watches my face. "Well?"

Instead of answering, I scoop up another bite. "Your turn."

She leans forward. At the last second, I move the spoon away. Her eyes narrow. "Javier."

I smile. "Something wrong?"

"Give me the spoon."

"You made it. You already know what it tastes like."

"That's not the point." She reaches for it. I lift it out of reach.

"You're enjoying this."

"A little."

She steps closer. I expect her to reach for the spoon again. Instead, she kisses me. Soft. Sweet. Then deeper. When she pulls away, satisfaction shines in her eyes. "There."

I stare at her. "There what?"

"Now I know what it tastes like."

I look at the spoon. Then at her lips. "I don't think you got enough."

Her smile fades slowly. "Neither do I."

I set the spoon down. My hands find her waist. Her arms slide around my neck. This kiss has nothing playful about it. The sweetness is still on her lips. I kiss her until I can't tell whether I'm tasting the dessert anymore. Almost three months of missing her crashes into me at once. She presses closer. I hold her tighter. Then she pulls back just enough to breathe.

"That dessert took me three weeks."

"Needs more testing."

Her laugh brushes my mouth. "Very professional assessment."

"I take these things seriously."

"Clearly."

She kisses me again. The coffee goes cold. Neither of us notices.