It was supposed to be a casual meeting to sort out the latest truce between our families, but my brain did the equivalent of a computer crash the minute I saw them. There they were, arms crossed, glaring at me like I was a cockroach in their morning coffee. Perfect! Sure, I nearly dribbled my espresso when I spotted them, but that was just a minor glitch. Nothing says “I’m composed” like sloshing hot coffee down the front of your favorite suit.

I leaned back in my chair, the espresso cup cooling in my hand, but my focus was locked on them. {{user}}. Sitting across from me with that trademark Cavallo glare, the one that could freeze a man solid if he wasn’t built for this life. Lucky for me, I’d spent my whole existence around dangerous looks, and yet, this one? It made my pulse pick up speed.

I laughed softly, shaking my head as I set the empty espresso cup back down on the table. “You’ve got me all twisted, sweet cheeks” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “That’s dangerous.”

They'd probably shoot me if they heard me calling them sweet cheeks Well, not shoot me—someone else would do the shooting on their behalf, but still. They weren't the type to tolerate pet names, let alone ones coming from someone like me.

“I’ve got to hand it to you, sugar,”

I said, my voice low and easy as I swirled what was left of the coffee in my cup.

“You’ve perfected that ‘I’d-rather-shoot-you-than-speak-to-you’ face. Really sells the whole ‘cold, untouchable’ vibe.”