Page 18 of Scandalous Lover

She walks over and kisses me, pulling back to look up into my eyes as I hold her close.

“Good morning.”

“Morning, princess.”

“I made coffee, and I was just going to fry up some bacon.”

She tries to turn and walk back to the counter, but I holdher tight. Her face turns back to mine, a surprised smile lighting up her features as I lean in for another long kiss.

And just like that, I’m transported to another life. One where this is my home, my woman, my family. My morning routine.

Everything I’ve ever wanted.

If only this wasn’t so complicated.

If only choosing this life wouldn’t mean giving up the one I’ve worked so hard for.

I end the kiss and release her. “That sounds great. I’d love a cup of coffee.”

She stands, watching me, for a long moment before walking over to the cupboard and pulling out a purple mug scattered with gold stars in a constellation I recognize but couldn’t name. “How’d you sleep?”

“Amazing. That bed of yours is incredible. I wonder if I could fly one of them home with me.”

She’s not looking at me as she sets the cup down and I wonder if my perfect morning fantasy is going to be overtaken by awkwardness. It’s the last thing I want, but I’m not sure how to prevent it. This situationisa bit awkward.

“Cream? Sugar?”

“Cream,” I say and accept the carton of half-and-half from her with a smile.

“So, when's your flight?”

I glance up at the black and white cat clock on the kitchen wall. My flight is currently boarding. I would have needed to be in Houston to get through security and customs hours ago.

“A few hours,” I lie.

She looks back from the stove, wide eyed. “Do you need to leave? You’ve still got to go to your hotel, pack, and get to Houston.”

There's something in her voice that I can’t ignore. It’s desire, but not the same kind as last night.

She doesn’t want me to leave.

Maybe as much as I don’t want to.

“I have some time. I can stay for breakfast.”

She relaxes, and I do the same, some kind of unspoken compromise having been reached.

We have this chunk of time together.

And then it’s over.

My mind drifts to worrying about when I’ll ever be able to get another flight to Faraday after missing mine, but I force it back to the present moment.

“Do you have to work today or anything?” I ask.

It's an obvious attempt at forcing small talk, but when Naomi turns around, she’s smiling.

She’ll allow it.

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