Page 156 of Lost Lyrebird
When I still don’t pass it over, she lifts an eyebrow.I motion to her cup.She ignores me.
Finally, she says, “I want to taste yours.You can judge a lot about a person by the way they take their coffee.”
“Is that right?”
“Why the defiance, Mr.Road Captain?Are you not an agreeable morning person?Because this feels like something I need to know.Yesterday, you gave me whatever I asked for.Today, a sip of your coffee is off-limits.Hmmm… maybe I need to rethink a few things.”
I grunt out a laugh when she raises her brow at me.
She looks around after taking in my room, mainly the bookshelves filled with books, and says, “I know you have the right words, but you choose to go silent a lot of the time.Why is that?”
“I just don’t see the need to talk like I know more than I do, or talk about shit that doesn’t matter.”
Her eyes narrow on me.“Are you going to share or not?”
I give up my cup.While taking it, she spills a bit over the rim and onto her hand.She clutches the cup with one hand while hissing and shaking out the other.“Shit, that’s hot.”
“Did you burn yourself?”
“Yeah, but it’s my fault.I didn’t expect it to be near boiling.”
It’s my turn to lift a brow.“So what does that say about me?”
Eyeing me, she carefully brings the brim of the mug to her mouth.Her eyes close as she takes a small sip.Then her head sways side to side.A small, impish smile graces her lips.“You like your coffee.It’s probably one of the simple pleasures you invest money in.Because this isn’t something you get off the shelf in a regular grocery store.”
Impressed, I confirm.“I special ordered it from a company in Utah, of all places.I had to shop around a bit to find it.There are a few I order from, but this one’s my favorite.I’m good with spending money on the things that are important to me.”
She hums and eyes me over the rim as she takes another sip.
“What else?”I ask.
Her gaze drops to the mug.“The temperature of it.You drink a lot of coffee.You’ve probably burned your mouth enough times that you’re not as susceptible to the heat like a normal person might be.”
“What’s normal?”
“The statistical average human being occupying the planet’s opinion.”
I chuckle at that and try to take the mug back.She pulls it away.“I’m not done.”
“More knowledge to share?”
“Yes.You probably feel the same about morning coffee as I do, or it’s the caffeine high you need.I’m going to go with the taste, though, that’s the part you love.”
I nod and hold out my hand.
“The heat also says you’re not afraid to get burned, or you’re a masochist.Maybe both.”She studies me for a moment.“Yep, both.You like to punish yourself, don’t you?”
I chuckle darkly because she’s not wrong.
When she finishes the first cup, she passes it over and then immediately reaches for the other cup on the bedside table.This time, she shares it.Then she sinks back into the sheets and moans as she gets comfortable.“Your bed is so soft.And these sheets, what the hell are they?”
“Bamboo.Cooling sheets.”
“Just a warning… I may never leave.”
“I’ve got no problem with that.”
Her laugh brings a smile to my face.I stare at her long enough that the moment becomes weighted with feeling.Because, fuck, she’s a stunning creature.She shies away from it by turning her face.For a split second, she inhales the scent of her pillow, then faces the opposite way towards the window and the sunshine streaming in.
