Page 32 of Always the Baker

I wokeup to the sound of someone gasping. For a second, I panicked, thinking something was wrong. Then I remembered I’d spent the night with Billie. We took a quick nap on the couch before tumbling into bed, where we went another round. After a quick shower and snack, we fucked after making love then went to sleep all over again.

She was sitting up in bed, braids everywhere, staring wide-eyed out of the windows showcasing the skyline. Out of my five homes in different cities, this penthouse was one of my favorites. Not just because of the views and the fun city, but because it was one of the places I received the most peace. People didn’t really bother me here, and I loved that.

“Holy shit,” she whispered. “I forgot where I was for a minute.”

I chuckled and stretched. “Good morning to you too.”

Billie turned to me with shock on her face still. “Brax, this place is insane. How many square feet is it?”

“Uh, like five thousand, I think? I don’t really keep track.”

She flopped back on the pillow. “That’s five times bigger than my whole apartment.”

I propped myself up on an elbow. “Want the grand tour?”

“Maybe after coffee. And clothes.”

“Clothes are optional here.”

She swatted me with a pillow and giggled. “You wish. If I walked around here naked, we’d do nothing but fuck.”

“We’d make love, too, and I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

She laughed as I got out of bed, pulling on some sweatpants. “How about I make us breakfast while you explore?”

Billie sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest. “You cook?”

“I have many talents,” I said with a wink.

As I headed to the kitchen, I heard Billie muttering behind me. “Right, because being fine as hell and insanely talented wasn’t enough.”

I smiled to myself as I started the coffee maker. Billie’s constant amazement at everything was refreshing. Most people I brought here tried to act unimpressed, like a multi-million dollar penthouse was no big deal.

Once the coffee was brewed, I went to the bathroom to shower and freshen up. She did the same, which led to a quickie in the shower. While I put on boxers and basketball shorts to lounge around in, I gave her one of my shirts. It damn near swallowed her, and she was even more adorable.

“So,” she said, leaning against the counter. “That bathroom is bigger than my bedroom. And don’t even get me started on the closet.”

I handed her a mug of coffee. “Wait until you see the music room.”

Her eyes lit up. “There’s a music room?”

I nodded. “Want to check it out after breakfast?”

“Hell yes,” she said, taking a sip of coffee. “What are you making?”

“Omelets and bacon,” I said, chopping some vegetables. “That okay?”

Billie’s eyebrows shot up. “Fancy. I usually just have cereal.”

“Really, Miss Baker?”

“Mhm. Life’s so busy I rarely have time. But um… if you had the ingredients… I could bake you something.”

“Really? Well, whatever I don’t have, I’ll order. I’ve been thinking about strawberry cake since we talked about it the other day.”

Her giggle was cute as she kissed my chest. “I’ll make a list of things for you to get after I check out your pantry.”

“Shit, say less.” I wiped my hands and grabbed my phone then opened the grocery store app.

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