Page 45 of Magic & Mochas
“Really.And you’d better get used to it, because I’m not going anywhere.After my three months are up, even that sour-faced centaur won’t be able to kick me out of here.”
Clove leaned over and pecked me on the cheek.
“What was that for?”I asked, my voice taking on a husky edge that had Clove’s cheeks turning that adorable shade of pink.
“For staying,” she answered simply.
A whole party of adventurers wouldn’t be able to tear me away from this place now.I was well and truly smitten.
“Would you like to stay?With me?”I had molded a wisp of shadow into a key.“Though this is technicallyyourapartment, after all.”
Clove grabbed my face and pressed her lips to mine.“Yes,” she breathed, and rested her forehead against mine.The aroma of chocolate perfumed the air between us.
I slid my hand into her hair, and kissed away the rest of the frosting that lingered on her lips.She melted into my touch, and if she had been a cat, I think she would have been purring.Hopefully, her familiar would get used to me eventually.But I was confident I would win him over—no matter how many cups of whipped cream it took.
Suddenly, her eyes lit up.“I just got the best idea for a new drink to add to the menu!”
I chuckled, leaning back.“Oh?And what would that be?”
“I think I’ll call it the ShadowSpice Latte.”She got that dreamy look in her eyes she always did when she talked about coffee.“Inspired by my very own shadowmancer.Will you help me perfect it?”
“I would love to.”I laced my fingers through hers, as she went back to inhaling her cupcake and mocha.
I took a sip of my own mocha and hid my grimace.
I had never liked coffee.The bitter flavor was just not something I enjoyed, even masked with vanilla or chocolate or pumpkin spice.But I had the feeling I would eventually grow to love it, too.
Because the magic I had found with Clove was more than worth putting up with drinking a mocha every day for the rest of my life.In fact, I would be happy to, if it meant staying right here by her side.
