To my delight, Shi’s lids went heavy at my touch. Their eyes dilated, and my heart kicked into gear.
“I’m inclined to agree with that,” James said from the doorway, startling them.
Shi cursed and whirled to face the vampire I was glaring at over their shoulder. Judging by the smirk on his face, he knew exactly what he’d done, and exactly what state I would be in once he interrupted.
“How long have you been standing there?” Shi panted.
I answered dourly, “Long enough to know that he shouldn’t be interrupting.” Taking advantage of having Shi’s back to me, I wrapped my arms around their shoulders, giving them a moment to relax into the contact. Their hand came to rest on my knee, heat seeming to burn right through the fabric and into my skin. It wasn’t a kiss, but I’d take it.
“Not even if I’m buying coffee?” James held up his credit card, strolling into the room and dipping under the partition to join us. I expected Shi to move, but they stayed put as Jamessidled up to us. He rested his hand on the counter next to mine, and Shi adjusted their position to let their fingers brush his. It was subtle. If I hadn’t been paying such close attention to both of them, I’d have missed it, but it was there. And it was intentional, just like the message in James’s eyes as he handed the card over to me: I’d had my moment with Shi, and now he wanted his.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re lucky I’ll let anything slide for coffee.” Then to Shi, “What do you want?”
“You don’t have to?—”
“Hazelnut latte with extra sugar,” James interrupted. Shi flushed, and he added, “And whatever that chocolate thing is they’re determined to destroy their teeth with.”
I looked at him, impressed.
Shi floundered for something to say, eventually settling with, “How did you know that?”
James shrugged, looking about as shy as a vampire could without blushing. “Lucky guess.” Even without his supersonic senses, my man was an attentive person. Besides, even I could have made a close guess. It was no secret they had a sweet tooth—and a soft spot for sticky buns.
I wiggled my phone out of my pocket, noting that I had just enough time to make it to Shi’s favorite bakery before we opened. Months ago, after a difficult shift where I’d given them more attitude than they deserved, I’d spent the night searching for a place that made those chocolate monstrosities they loved so much. The small gesture had gone such a long way toward earning Shi’s trust that I probably had those sickly-sweet pastries to thank for where we were now. After all, it had been after that shift that they tried to kiss me for the first time.
Still charged from the moment I’d been sharing with Shi, I was dying to havesomeone’slips on mine, so I leaned over and captured James’s mouth. “And a caramel ribbon crunch with extra caramel for you?” I sassed.
“Bring me that cavity in a cup and I’ll pour it down your pants.”
Hand around my throat, James pressed his lips to mine, and if I wasn’t mistaken, a tiny squeak came from Shi. They still stood between my thighs, watching us intently. Their gaze darted to my mouth, and James gave me an encouraging nudge forward.
Say no more.
My hand slid into Shi’s hair to hold them in place. Normally, I’d have dove in for that kiss without thinking twice about it, but James clenched the back of my shirt, reminding me to slow down and savor the moment. “Slow” wasn’t usually a word in my vocabulary, but as I took a beat to pause and admire the person in front of me, I discovered a newfound appreciation for it. Shi worried their lip, reddening it from the force. I lifted my free hand, thumb tugging their poor lip free and brushing the delicate, swollen skin.
Shi’s lip trembled against the pad of my thumb.
“May I-…” I asked, letting the electricity in the air between us finish the sentence for me. Shiloh’s eyes flitted to my lips again, and they nodded. My heart raced.
James clenched my shirt tighter.Slow. My vampire seemed to speak without words, and it stoked a fire in my belly.
Shi’s delicate hands landed on my waist. I gasped, the simple touch sending shocks through my body. I held my breath; theirs sped up. With one hand still in their hair, I wrapped my other around their back and leaned in, taking my time. Seconds seemed to expand into minutes, and our mouths drew closer together. Shi panted, soft puffs of air washing across my lips.
Finally—fuckingfinally—our lips touched. I nearly shook with the effort of holding myself back, but Shi wasn’t having that: They whimpered and tugged on my shirt, pulling me against them. Soft and plush, their lips moved pliantly beneathmine. Sugar and chocolate tinted the kiss, as if they’d already indulged in a sweet treat that morning.
A satisfied keen, and they opened up for me. The tips of our tongues flirted before I pulled back, keeping the kiss soft and sweet. Just like our Shi Baby.
I licked my lips, savoring the taste of them. “Have you already had a sticky bun this morning?”
They smiled, cheeks deepening to that shade of pink I admired. “If I say yes, will you still get me one?”
Didn’t they know I’d give them whatever they wanted?
I stole one more kiss, then twisted my head to offer James a brief chance to taste Shi on my lips before I pocketed his credit card and hopped off the counter.
“Love you!” I called over my shoulder, sauntering away from the bar. I resisted the urge to look back, self-conscious of the smile I couldn’t fight. James knew, of course, because I couldn’t so much as breathe without the man knowing my every move. Against all odds, I’d come to like that.
Smiling, I thumbed my swollen lower lip as I strode out the door.
