His lips met mine softly at first, like he was testing waters. Then I reached up and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.

Warmth bloomed on my tongue, and the bitter edge of coffee faded into a pure, dizzying sweetness that belonged only to this moment.

It tasted like surrender, like everything I'd been denying.

When we broke apart, I didn't open my eyes immediately, but when I did, they were on his slightly wet and slightly curved lips. My mind was a blank, static-filled screen, except for ...