Susanne’s eyes twinkled. “Are you complaining?”

“No. God, no.” But being tired wasn’t the only reason she was reluctant to get up. Except for the brunch with Franziska and Miri, they hadn’t left Susanne’s apartment all weekend. As soon as they went to work, the real world would intrude, and she’d have to face the fact that not all weekends for the rest of her life would be spent like this. Just because they’d had sex—amazing sex—didn’t mean Susanne would stay.

“Want me to offer some incentive for getting up?” Susanne asked.

Anja gave her a hopeful look. “Are you offering to make coffee?”

“I could. Or we could grab one on the way to work and use our time to shower together.” Susanne’s voice dropped to a seductive murmur.

“Shower sex is overrated,” Anja answered, but admittedly, the thought of Susanne’s soapy hands gliding all over her body sent a tingle through her.

Susanne looked stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. She rolled out from beneath Anja, leaned over her, and framed her face with her hands. “You’re pretty unique. I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman like you.”

Anja stared up into her eyes. “Is that a good thing?”

“It is.” Susanne trailed her thumbs across Anja’s cheekbones, and she had to struggle to keep her eyes open.

“Even if it means no shower sex?”

“Even then.” Susanne nodded. “But I might go on a mission to change your mind about that. You know I love a challenge.” She placed a soft kiss on the corner of Anja’s mouth, then threw off the covers and climbed out of bed, pulling Anja up with her and to the bathroom.

Maybe this Monday morning wasn’t so bad after all.

They made it to Paper Love fifteen minutes before opening time. Susanne pulled Anja to a stop by their entwined hands and kissed her one last time before she’d have to be a professional. But at least she’d get to sneak long looks at her in between selling notebooks and preparing things for the website launch.

“I’ll put the card carousels outside if you go get us two coffees,” Susanne said when they finally broke apart, both breathless.

“Sure.” Anja let go of her hand with obvious reluctance and turned toward the little coffee store.

“Make mine a tall one, please,” Susanne called after her. She watched her gracefully step over the Bächle before turning back toward Paper Love.

Only then did she notice that the lights in the store were already on. Something moved inside.

Alarm flared through her, but then she made out her uncle’s bearded face.

He was behind the counter, staring at her through the glass.