by Anna Rainn
A shimmer of blue twinkled below as a hot mouth closed around my inner thigh and sucked. Fuck. I opened my legs for his mouth. Then thinking better of my current situation, I leaned onto the table, crossing my arms to hide my half-exposed breast, trying to stuff it back into the dress discreetly as Nick lurked under the table, biting his way up my thigh.
His breath was cold on my steaming hot sex, almost icy. The first breath hit me, and I shivered before his lips had even had a chance to make contact with my delicate yearning skin. A tongue tentatively brushed me, then back it went into Nick’s mouth as two soft lips closed around my folds and sucked gently, juicing them with his mouth, devouring their wet need as his tongue poked back out searching for more.
I slid down in my seat and opened my legs wider, granting him access to all I had. The wet tongue took advantage gliding between the outer lips and onto the slit below, brushing against the sensitive flesh in long slow strokes, lingering just above the dirty little nub. I stifled a whimper, a call for more. Had Nick been in a place he could hear me, I would’ve begged. But he was under the table, and I was in the middle of a crowded bar on Friday night.
My hand was still hiding my cleavage, the tucking away forgotten between the smooth lashes of a tongue on my sex. Forming a curtain with my long hair, I slid my hand into my dress the way Nick had pushed his. My nipple was painfully erect in my hand, swollen with hard need. I wished I could pull my tit up to my mouth and ease them. But all I had was my fingers, lightly fluttering across the overripe pink berry as Nick’s circled my clit with his tongue, the motion smooth, slow, infinite.
When the slow pulses started, I didn’t stop. A pinch from my own fingers, and a pull, Nick’s finger gliding through my wet hole and straight up to the right spot as his mouth closed around my clit and he sucked.
Don’t scream, I thought in panic, the first wave washing over me. I bit my lips, arched my back, pulled my nipple, focused on keeping the moans from escaping my lips, but then the second wave came, and the third. I let go of my breast and put my hands on my mouth to stifle the scream.
When the waitress showed up ten minutes later, Nick was sitting beside me with a smile on his face and a crumbled cloth napkin in front of him.
“Did you choose anything off the dinner menu?” She asked with a professional smile.
“No, I’ve already had an amazing meal,” Nick said without flinching, his hand resting on my thigh under the table.
“You, my love?” he turned to me and asked.
“I’ll have another glass of wine, please.”
God knows I needed the drink.
Chapter 28
It was a miracle I managed to wake up in time for work. Today was the day. This Saturday, Owen was leaving the hospital and coming home. I had only visited the detective at the hospital the one time, but Nick kept me posted, and I was regularly in touch with Sara, Owen’s sister. Today, I was meeting her at Owen’s place to prepare for his welcome back party.
Nick would be of no help. Apparently, he was occupied with work he wouldn’t speak a word of all day today. He jerked out of bed at the sound of his phone at three am last night and just pecked me on the cheek before telling me he won’t be available till seven and slipping out into the night. It was fine. Really. The party was to begin around seven anyway, maybe a bit earlier. And I had seen enough of Nick’s volatile moods to accept this. He was working with the police after all, and with other people I’d rather not think about. It’s better to focus on the good and let the dark stay in the dark.
I splashed cold water on my face trying to wake myself up. It was 4:30, and I had obviously misused the snooze button once again, which was justifiable, at least today. I had a very long and very tiring night. A stupid smile was staring back at me at the thoughts of last night.
A little bit of Nick’s recklessness was seeping into me. I didn’t feel shame at what happened between us the way I would have previously. I loved the rush of the bar, and I loved the unquenched thirst in Nick’s eyes when we went back to my place, and he ripped my dress off. I loved it all. I loved his touch and his eyes and his smile and the smell of him on me. For once, I didn’t see a problem with that.
I let the warmth I was feeling inside wash over me throughout the quick morning shower and dress up routine.
I was fifteen minutes late to Black and Foam. This should’ve been fine if Caleb was there, but he wasn’t. The café was closed, which was normal - we open at six. But it was also unlit, and that was out of the ordinary since Caleb and I start prep at five in the morning every morning.
I was parked out front. The parking lot out back was still a no-no for me, especially that I arrived in the dead of night. I opened the front door and slipped in, flipping the light switches on and letting the warm Edison lamps push the darkness away.
Hey sleeping beauty, I texted Caleb and waited for a few seconds. He usually replied to my texts instantly when he is awake.
When no answer came, I walked to the staff room and grabbed an apron off the hooks, put it on, tucked my phone into the apron pocket, took a deep breath, and started my morning routine. I poured some whole beans into the machine’s grinder and stood as the whir started. Medium grind, I’ll start the day with an Americano, then see how this goes. With the first pot of coffee made, and a cup poured for my taste buds only, I started wiping the machines down and cleaning the counters. The espresso machines were heating up as I started preparing the day’s whipped cream and double-checking the syrups and ice bin.
The pastries and desserts delivery wasn’t due until 5:40, so I had ten minutes to sit and enjoy that cup of coffee. I pulled one of the wooden chairs off the table and sat down. A feeling of unease was creeping over me; my head kept turning to glance back and make sure nobody was coming at me from behind. Finally, I gave in to the anxiety and just turned the chair so I’d be facing the corridor that leads into the back area I so dreaded. It was normal, I assured myself. It was my first day alone at Black and Foam since the attack on Bianca and me, and it was normal for me to feel jumpy. Up until today, Caleb was always there before me.
Where was Caleb, by the way? I glanced at my watch, 5:40. Maybe he overslept. After all, he had to close up all by himself last night as I took the night off for my date with Nick. I texted him again, reluctant to call and wake him up. Still, he didn’t answer. I decided to let Caleb enjoy his beauty sleep and just continue setting up by myself. The routine tasks were soothing.
Two glaring lights cut through the glass walls from the back, blinding me for a second. I blinked, taking note of how my heart rate sped up in fear. It’s okay, I assured myself again, putting my coffee cup down and heading for the back door to let the food cart in. Luna and Tony came soon after.
“Good morning, Marissa,” Luna chimed, pulling her hair in a ponytail on her way to the staff room. “Where is Caleb?” She asked.
“Probably overslept,” I was lining up the milk cartons on the counter as Tony slipped beside me to set up the paper cup towers.
Luna came out and headed straight for the food cart. “You’ve been opening up all by yourself? Why didn’t you call me?” She asked, putting the sandwiches in neat lines.
“I need you to be well-rested, and it’s Saturday morning, so the crowd is bound to be at least half the size. We’re good.”
Tony was looking groggy, and I figured he hadn’t had any coffee yet, so I poured him a cup, then dropped a bit of cream and two sugars into it. If anything, I knew how my people liked their coffee.
“Here.”
Tony’s brown eyes lit up as he took a long sip before going back to fill the sink with soapy water.
It was six. I opened the doors.
You’d think Saturdays would have no eight O’clock rush since it is the weekend. Well, think again. You’d be surprised how many people worked on weekends. Of course, the number was significantly less than it is during weekdays. But with Caleb gone, we were handicapped. We weren’t just one man short; at the caf�
�, Caleb counts for at least two, not to mention he makes the second best coffee in the house. Well, best or second-best depending on who you ask. The point is, Luna, Tony, and I were working as hard as we did every day, even with fewer coffee drinkers coming in. Tony took the orders; he hadn’t completed his training to be allowed to operate the machines yet, while Luna and I worked as fast as we could to prepare the drinks.
With the morning rush behind us, and the clock ticking at ten, I decided Caleb had had enough shut-eye.
“Hey Siri, call Caleb,” I instructed my phone as I washed my hands and dried them before pulling the phone out of my apron pocket.
I heard Caleb’s ringing tone before I put the phone to my ears, a goofy game theme of some sort.
“Did you sleep well?” I teased as Caleb walked through the back door, phone in hand.
“Sorry,” he started. I waved the apology away with one hand. Caleb signaled me to the staff room. I did a quick survey of Black and Foam, then I turned to Luna.
“If you guys need me, I’m inside.” There was no line in front of the register, and the two could manage for a few minutes while Caleb and I talked.
“What’s going on?”
Caleb wasn’t sitting; he was standing near the door, hands in his pockets, all light truly ripped jeans, not commercially ripped, basic white T-shirt and multiple necklaces and bracelets. His shoes were too white. He probably hated it.
“Nothing,” Caleb said. “I just didn’t want the guys to hear. I was at the police station this morning, giving my statement. Hence, the late arrival."
“What?! Why?”
“Nothing, really. Your weird-eyed detective friend had put me up for questioning, and they called last night asking me to come in this morning. It was nothing, just formalities. They said the case was closed, but they had to ask a few routine questions to have everything covered and all the paperwork in order.”
So this was why Caleb was late to work for the first time in a year. I felt a pang of guilt at not calling to check on him. Owen wasn’t there, was Nick?
“Who interviewed you? Nick?”
Caleb shook his head, his long brown hair moving. He tucked it behind his ear. “Just some guy."
“What did he ask you?”
“General questions about Bianca, her state of mind, the last time we spoke, our relationship, that kind of thing.”
“I’m so sorry, Caleb. I thought you were sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake you up. Why didn’t you answer my texts?”
Caleb rolled his eye, “Sorry, boss.”
“Fuck you.” I walked out. “Make me something to drink. That’s penance for having me worried for,” I glanced at my watch, “five hours.”
The relative Saturday morning calm gave way to the evening weekend crowds, groups of carefully dressed youth with specific drink orders. This was our second weekend back, and it was fair to say that Black and Foam had become a hit with the younger crowd. The café’s public misfortune had given us some exposure, and apparently, a few coffee-related social media personalities have paid us visits. The pictures of Caleb’s latte art drew more people in, the relaxed interior balancing chic with relaxed kept them hanging out long after that coffee cup was drained, and the top quality brews brought them back. The result was that Black and Foam now spends the mornings and evenings serving its initial role as a coffee provider for the morning professionals and students. At night, we receive a mixture of varied visitors. The weekends, however, transform the café into a trendy hangout for those below the legal drinking age.
The blenders were already working as Caleb and I poured one iced drink after the other in our signature cups. Luna and Tony were holding their ground at the register. Tony, in particular, made me proud. A recent recruit with a short resume, you would’ve never imagined he’d manage the pressure of a coffee shop job so well. Good things were coming… for Black and Foam, and for me.
Chapter 29
Strings of unlit lamps were hanging overhead as I walked into Owen’s roof. Sara had already started working on the decor by the time I arrived at the address she texted me earlier. My surprise at a police detective living in such an expensive neighborhood was compounded when I saw the place. Owen’s apartment was big, and in addition to the penthouse, he also had access to a magical roof, which was where we were holding his welcome home party. Sara guided me through a hedge arch and into tonight’s party spot.
“This place is beautiful,” I said, looking around the roof. It wasn’t big, but it also wasn’t small. Owen already had wooden panels installed on the floors and some outdoor sofas.
“Owen and Nick built it themselves,” Sara said, picking up the green sofa cushions from one of the tables, fluffing them, and arranging them.
There was a floral smell in the air, partially the jasmine perfume Sara apparently wears regularly, but also something else.
“I already cleaned the place and sprayed some fabric freshener on the sofas. The florist will arrive in an hour.” She checked her small golden watch, which matched her delicate gold jewelry. The flickers of gold caught the early dusk sun as Sara repositioned the cushions here and there. When she looked at me, her hazel eyes too caught the light. They looked like two droplets of pure honey.
Sara’s simple black dress didn’t need anything; the flecks of gold were enough. Even with her white athletic shoes, nothing looked a miss, although Sara probably planned to get out of her sneakers and into something less comfortable and more alluring before the party.
“This is going to be a good looking party,” I said, looking around. I was wearing a simple maxi black dress, form-fitting with spaghetti straps, and a very low back. It looked almost modest with my hair down, but when I scooped my hair to the side, the dramatic low scoop of the back curved down, stopping millimeters above the curve of my butt.
There was no need for a florist. The roof was already breathtaking. Big beige pots occupied the corners, resting on top of the wooden floors, rich with healthy deep green plants. On the intricate wooden partition framing the roof from one side, jasmine vines grew in and out of the grooves. This was where the heavenly smell was coming from. With only the strings of lights hung up, the place already looked gorgeous, and we still had the fresh flowers coming in, and the banners to hang up, speaking of which.
“Tell me you didn’t make the decorations without me!” I said to Sara.
She shook her head, her shoulder-length chocolate brown hair beautiful in the outdoors light. “No way.” She pointed at a large glossy bar on the far corner. On top of it, there was an assortment of pens, markers, scrapbook paper, washi tape, a glue gun, rulers, scissors and even some Mod Podge and a decorative punch. In short, Sara was ready, and she knew her crafts! I rolled up imaginary sleeves and headed towards the bar. A small hanger on the wall carried two aprons. Sara put one on and handed me the other. This was almost looking like more fun than tonight’s party.
And fun it was. I work well in a team, and apparently, so did Sara, who was a teacher. This explained the superb knowledge of crafts, and the accessible air she gave. I shared my weird barista stories while she told me some heart-melting tales about her young students. Time flew by.
I hoped Caleb, Luna and Tony were on top of things at Black and Foam. It was past five; the crowds would start to pour in soon. Then I pushed the thought away. I had to learn to delegate at some point. Caleb was there, so there’s a 99.9 chance things were running as smooth as can be back at the coffee shop. He was supposed to clock out early at seven or eight, though, and come join me at Owen’s party. It was Evie’s day off. Luna and Tony would handle closing today. Alone.
“What’s wrong?” Sara asked, adding some final touches to one of the posters.
“Nothing. I’m just obsessing over Black and Foam,” I admitted. “I usually lock up every night.”
“Owen tells me you made him the best cup of coffee he’s had in years.” Sara smiled.
Okay, this warmed my heart and made me feel just a l
ittle bit smug.
“I’d love to come in and try for myself,” she added.
“Any time. I’m pretty hands-on, so you’ll most definitely find me behind the counter making coffee with Caleb,” I grinned at her. “He’s equally good, if not better,” I admitted.
It was the golden hour; Nick would soon be here. I kept my smile secret this time.
Chapter 30
The overhead light strings infused warmth into the cold blues and greens of the roof garden.
Sara and I had transformed the place into a chic roof bar meets birthday party. The hedge arch guests had to pass through on their way in was now studded with fresh flowers and fairy lights. Round tables and a selection of café style wooden chairs joined the green cushioned sofas. I looked around at our handwork and smiled. There was a good number of guests in attendance already, waiting for Owen to come home. Many of them lingered at the bar. The wooden surface that had served as a DIY worktop was now a chic glossy bar with a professional bartender pouring drinks for guests from the well-stocked shelves behind.
Tunes wafted through the night air. The base was strong. It reverberated through the floor panels, shaking the very air around us in subtle energetic waves. Above, the night sky stretched infinitely, the darkest shade of navy blue, broken up by twinkling stars and faraway lights. Buildings were small from up here, far from the giant guardians blotting out the sky they were from down below. Standing that close to the open skies, I felt more in touch with the universe than I ever have. Life in the city gets you that way; it cuts your ties with nature so you’re only left with indoor plants and the few manmade parks you pass on your way to work every day. The world had so much more to offer, I know this now, and it isn’t all danger and supernatural beings. There was beauty around that I have been too busy to see.
