Free Deadlocked (The Harry Russo Diaries Book 3) by Lisa Emme Page A

customers wouldn’t be
counting calories. If anything, they would probably be happy for the extra
fat.
    “Oh, oh, look out, I see the wheels turning.” Nash’s voice
was full of amusement. He held me by the shoulders and led me over to a
stool. “You better sit down, Harry. You look like you’re going to hurt
yourself.”
    “Oh, ha ha, very funny, Nash.” I gave him a playful swat,
but sat down all the same. I turned to look at Isaac. “I think it’s a great
idea. We only serve the best coffee with the best ingredients. No low fat, no
non-fat, nothing artificial. We can put it right on the menu….” I kept
mulling the idea over in my head. “And, we’ll call the place the Full Fat
Coffee Company.” I waved my hand out in front of me like I was reading a
marquee. I looked at the group. “So, what do you think?”
    “Perfect.” Isaac smiled smugly, looking at Morris who had
thrown his hands up in defeat. I guess we had a name.
    “So, who do I have to know to get a coffee in this place?”

    ***

    Isaac served up two steaming mugs of cappuccino then
disappeared with Morris and the boys back to the kitchen, leaving Nash and me
alone. I cracked open one of the desserts. It was a generous portion of
tiramisu.
    “Mine.” Nash grabbed the container from me with a playful
growl.
    “Hey! Nonna packed that for me.” I pouted at him as he scooped up a generous portion with the little plastic spoon
from the container and shoved it in his mouth with a grin.
    “No,” he replied after a moment, “Nonna packed that one for you.” He pointed to the other container with his spoon. “This one’s
mine. I paid for it.”
    “Hmmph. Why didn’t you just say so?” I opened the other
container and a little sound of glee escaped me. “Chocolate Cassata!” I
licked my lips in anticipation. “Nonna knows me too well.” I bent over the
container and inhaled the sweet scent of chocolate. I was practically
salivating at the sight of the decadent dessert - layers of rich, dense
chocolate cake sandwiched around layers of sweetened ricotta cheese with chocolate
chips and then smothered in a creamy fudge frosting. I was in heaven. I
closed my eyes and took another deep breath only to have the container suddenly
disappear from my hands. “Hey!” I looked at Nash. He lifted the container up
over my head.
    “I think you need to come over here to eat this.” He backed
up holding the container hostage until he reached the first booth. “If you eat
this anywhere near like you did the carbonara, I want to watch every bite.” He
grinned at me.
    “Fine with me,” I said, stomping over to the booth. I sat
down and Nash placed the container in front of me before sliding in on the
other side of the table. “This orgasm is all mine.” I scooped a mouthful and
closed my mouth around the spoon, letting the chocolate dissolve on my tongue,
savouring the rich flavour with a low moan as Nash’s surprised laugh rang
through the shop.

    ***

    “So, the end of date number two.” Nash stopped at the top
of the stairs on the landing outside my door. I turned to face him.
    “I guess so.” I batted my eyelashes at him innocently. “I usually let
my date kiss me on the second date,” I added with a grin.
    “You don’t say?” Nash looked me, a hungry glint in his eye.
He leaned in and crooked a finger under my chin, tipping my head up. “I
wouldn’t want to disappoint you then.” He brought his lips to mine. I leaned
into the kiss, our lips the only part of our bodies touching. When he pulled
away, I let out a little sound of protest and I stumbled forward a step. Nash grabbed
my shoulders, steadying me on my feet. “Easy there, minx,” he said with a
laugh. He looked down at me, his face quickly becoming concerned. “Harry?”
    I heard the question in his voice, but I couldn’t take my
eyes off the sight in front of me. My eyes were wide and I could feel my heart
rate rise, only it wasn’t from Nash’s kiss. I looked down