“We could have a beer garden too! Get trashy and well fed. Best post war celebration ever.”
He shook his finger at me and grinned. “I like the way you think, darling. Truly I do.”
I twirled my last churro in an air bow and dipped my head in acknowledgement. “I’m a genius, I know.”
Still chuckling, Rathal waved an attendant over who brought forth a final tray. On it was a sophisticated coffee carafe with matching sugar and creamer containers. Dainty porcelain cups and saucers were placed in front of us. Rathal thanked the attendant and took the tray from him and sat it down on the other side of the table before pouring a dark steaming liquid into each cup. It smelled suspiciously like coffee. Real coffee, not theslightly off root powder drink that we’d been drinking here in space.
“Is this?—” I asked, picking up my cup to smell it.
“It is,” Rathal answered, taking a sip and smiling at me over the rim of his cup.
I gasped and took a quick drink, ignoring how it burned my taste buds and closed my eyes with a groan as the flavor washed over my abused tongue. It was coffee. Good coffee, medium roast with a bright flavor profile with hints of chocolate and blueberries. I opened my eyes to meet Rathal’s and could have married him on the spot just for this. This right here, was high bar shit. This was an over the top, end of the world effort to give me something I enjoyed.
“How did you even know where to get this? I mean, this particular roast? How did you know I liked medium roasted coffee?”
He placed his empty cup onto its saucer and settled back in his chair. In the suit, his arrogant posture with his ankle perched on his opposite knee and his hands folded across his stomach was something worthy of gracing a dark romance novel cover.
“I researched, darling. I listened. I remember hearing you tell Jack during one of my long nights watching you on the security feeds that dark roast was just burnt beans and an abomination and that it had the least amount of caffeine. I filed that away for later use. I then sent a team to Earth to start gathering supplies. There is now a well to do coffee shop that is missing its roaster and it's very nice Kees van der Westen Spirit espresso machine. I did steal several hundred pounds of raw beans and several coffee trees, but I left compensation to the farmers in the form of some very valuable gold coins so I count that particular theft as a legitimate purchase.”
What he said processed in my brain and I blinked at him slowly. “You stole a roaster… Are you trying to tell meyouroasted the beans?”
“Of course. While I had my pirates steal the supplies and the chefs cook the meal, I wanted something that came from my own efforts to give you. The videos and books were easy to follow and with some trial and error I have found the perfect roasting technique. My espresso beans are something I’m rather proud of, and while most of my latte art still needs work, I think my rosetta is near perfect. My foam is the right consistency, I just need to work on my wrist movements to get the swan correct. The tulip, for some gods forsaken reason, is the hardest for me to do. I think I bring the pitcher too close to the cup during the pour. ”
I stared at him, lost for words.
Rathal tilted his head. “What? What is it? Just now discovering that I am an exemplary male that you were foolish to wait so long to claim and cherish forever? I have been telling you that from the beginning. The multiple orgasms should have been the final clue you needed to believe me.”
There it was.
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. I brought my cup to my mouth to hide my smile though. It would encourage him and Rathal needed no help with his arrogance.
“You need not thank me, your speechlessness is thanks enough.”
My god, he was so full of himself. Living with him for the rest of eternity would never be boring, that was for sure. He was the most caring male I’d ever encountered and I’d have been a fool to let him slip through my fingers.
Not that I think he’d have allowed it anyways.
I watched him preen for a few seconds before placing my cup back on its saucer and getting serious for a moment.
“I know you say you don’t need me too, and maybe you don’t but still. Thank you for this, Rathal. It’s the best date I’ve ever been on.”
His eyes softened. “You are welcome. Pampering you is a privilege that I cherish. It will be an enjoyable challenge to one up myself in the years to come.”
Oh god.
This fool was going to drive me nuts.
“I love you,” I said, my voice low but steady.
He rose from his chair, coming to kneel before mine and laid his big hands on top of my thighs.
“And I love you, Callie.”
I must have been looking at him a certain kind of way because he laughed under his breath. “No, my love. I think both of us need our rest this rotation. I did not set out tonight in the hopes of seducing you. This was simply because I enjoy pleasing you. Now, if you’re finished?” he asked, pointing with his chin at the table.
I could barely speak past the knot in my throat but I managed to nod yes.
“Good. Let's get you back to our room, showered, and tucked into bed. We have a busy day tomorrow.”
