Broken Together by K. S. Ruff Read Free Book Online

tiny tiles.” Some of the tiles had settled
unevenly so they poked up out of the ground, digging into my shoes. “How do
women navigate this sidewalk in heels?”
    “I’ve
seen a lot of people fall. Lisbon has some very steep hills, and these tiles can
be very slick when it rains.” Rafael ushered me inside the Confeitaria Nacional.
He parked me at a table near the door. “You stay here. I’ll order.”
    I
glanced at the bakery counter where a mob of people were placing orders. Slowly,
I nodded.
    He
kissed my cheek. “Do not leave this bakery.”
    I
smiled while drawing a cross over my heart.
    Rafael
entered the fray. Ten minutes later, he deposited three pastry bags, two
disposable coffee cups, and two small ceramic cups onto the table. He sat in
the chair across from me. “I ordered the pastries and two large cappuccinos to go,
but I thought you might like to try the bica before we leave.”
    I
eyed the rich brown concoction. “I assume bica means coffee.”
    “More
like espresso.” Rafael took a sip and sighed appreciatively. “Remember the
coffee we drank in the café along the Champs Elysees?”
    I
nodded.
    His
eyes sparkled. “This is even better than that.”
    “Impossible.”
I took a highly skeptical sip. Bica had a strong, smoky taste, but it lacked
the bitter aftertaste that taints expresso. I took another sip. The warm, dark
elixir felt creamy and smooth when it slid over my tongue. I couldn’t help
feeling a little robbed. In two sips, the bica was gone. “This is better
than sex.”
    The
couple next to us snickered.
    Rafael
and I exchanged glances. He burst out laughing.
    We
gathered the cappuccinos and pastry bags before scampering outside. “Clearly
they speak English.”
    Rafael
juggled the pastry bags and his coffee cup so he could help me into the car. “Most
people do around here. And, just so you know, I’ll be proving that statement
wrong just as soon as we eat breakfast.”
    I
rolled my eyes at him. “Tell me about your apartment. Why do you still maintain
a place here?”
    He
handed me the pastry bags, climbed into the driver’s seat, and eased into
traffic. “I purchased it outright after selling my parents’ house. I really
like this area. It’s close to cafés and restaurants but somewhat insulated from
the nightlife and noise that is common in some of the more popular bairros .
I kept long, odd hours when I was working for the police force, so I needed a
place quiet enough to sleep day or night. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be working
for Michael when I left; and even after I opened the security firm in DC, I was
certain I’d be returning here intermittently.”
    Rafael
parked beneath a white historic building with tall windows and black wrought
iron balconies. “I need to stop briefly on the first floor before we head up to
the apartment.” We grabbed the pastry bags and rode the elevator to the main
lobby.
    “ Senhor
Garcia! ” The doorman boisterously exclaimed. He met us halfway across the
lobby, abandoning the front door entirely.
    Rafael
shifted the cappuccino into his left hand so he could shake the man’s hand. “ Bom
dia, Matias. Este é o meu noiva , Senhorita
Stone. I’m afraid she doesn’t speak Portuguese.”
    The
doorman beamed. “Welcome to Lisboa , Senhorita Stone.”
    “Thank
you. I look forward to exploring your city.” I should have studied Portuguese
when Rafael and I first began dating. I was going to have to download some
books to my Kindle so I could at least learn the basics... after Rafael proved
sex was better than bica , of course. Given how incredible the bica tasted,
that could take a while.
    He
gently squeezed my hand before resuming his discussion with Rafael. “Senhor Brantuas
stopped by last night to ensure everything is in order, but you will inform me
if you need anything?”
    Rafael
smiled. “Certainly.” He handed Matias one of the pastry bags.
    Matias
peeked inside the bag. “ Bolo Rei e pastel de nata? ” He patted