Page 44 of Wild Stars

“Venti already has two shots of espresso, sir.You want four?”

I huff out a sigh of annoyance.“Yes, my brother’s like the Walking Dead today.He needs a shock to the heart,” I tell her, and she looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

Okay, fair.

“Then I need a grande flat white hot, a grande matcha latte hot, and I will have a java chip cookie crumble frappucino, please.”

The barista punches her keys, inputting our order, and then I turn to Mateo.

“What do you and Hailee want?”

Matty purses his lips, but I stop him with a finger to his lips so he cannot protest.

“I’m not taking no for an answer.Just tell the pretty lady what you want.”

I can swear for the hint of a second, that I feel his tongue against the pad of my fingertips and I drop my hand.The sensation sends a shiver through my body, but Matty looks as stoic and hot as ever.

He narrows his gaze at me.“Fine.If you insist on being a stubborn ass, I will take a venti caramel macchiato with an extra shot of espresso, hot, and I will have an oatmilk chai latte with brown sugar syrup, hot,” he demands, adding a sarcastic and dry, “Please.”

The way he sayspleasemakes my damn cock twitch and I have to shift my stance.Again.

I turn away from him, sliding out my wallet to pay for the drinks, but I can feel his gaze on my back like a warm fire.

“Thanks,” I say to the barista as I tuck a twenty in the cup for the tips.

Matty and I move down to the opposite end of the counter as the baristas make our drinks.

“You are quite demanding, you know that, right?”he says in his sexy Batman voice.

I can’t help but smirk, feeling like I just won the fucking lottery.

“Who me?No.Not at all,” I chirp with a laugh.“Not a demanding bone in my body.”

“Mhmm,” he says as he crosses his arms, bumping into me slightly.

The place isn’t all that packed, and I know I can move to give us space, but a part of me doesn’t want to.

I don’t want to give him the satisfaction, and a part of me likes him being close.Like this.

I can almost pretend he doesn’t hate me entirely.

“Darren!”the barista hollers as she slides up the first two drinks.

Matty moves with me, passing me cardboard holders and lids as I set the first two drinks in the carrier.

When the next two drinks come up, he does the same.

“Thanks,” I say, flashing him a smile.I notice he glances at me, but his gaze doesn’t linger.Not like it did this morning.

But I wish it did.

“I believe it’s me who should be thanking you,” he replies as the last two drinks are delivered.

I take the last lid from his hands, twisting my lips.

“You’re welcome,” I say softly as I put the lid on the last cup.

I grab the carrier and Matty walks ahead, opening the door for me.

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