Espresso Kisses

 "

Morning bites, but you?

You're already brewed 

dark roast,

steamy,

dangerously smooth.

You slide the mug my way

like it's foreplay 

fingers brushing

just long enough

to say everything

your mouth won’t.

The aroma?

Unfair.

It coils around my neck,

warm as your breath

when you lean in

and ask

if I want sugar.

I laugh 

as if this isn’t sweet enough.

We sip,

slow-motion addicts

to heat and hunger.

Your eyes linger.

So does mine.

The coffee isn’t the only thing

pulsing.

Bitterness dances

on the edge of my tongue

and I wonder 

is it the beans,

or the way

you haven’t kissed me yet?

We stir.

We stall.

We sip again.

And somewhere between

the crema and the silence,

I swear

you taste like all the things

I've ever wanted

to wake up to.

©®Madhumita