Page 81 of Mated To My Boss

We step right into my apartment and Madeline does a little twirl. I watch her from the door. “This place is huge!”

“That's the great thing. I wasn't sure why I needed all this space for, but now that you're here, it doesn't seem so empty.” I close the gap between us and put an arm around her. “Remember what the doctor said, you're not supposed to do anything stressful.”

“Yup,” Madeline says. “That little twirl surprisingly took a lot out of me.”

“Here.” I scoop my beautiful mate into my arms and carry her around the house until I reach the bedroom.

I place her carefully on my bed, watching how she melts into the sheets and pulls the covers over herself. She gives me a very content sigh.

“I could get used to this,” Madeline says.

“You’d better, because it will be just me and you until you recover.”

“In that case, I may choose to never recover. I like being with you.”

I kiss her on the cheek. “What would you like to eat?”

“I'm not hungry.” She completely disappears under the covers.

I pull them back to reveal her beautiful face again. “You at least have to eat something.”

Madeline looks around my room. She spots the bookshelves on the far wall. “Whoa, that's a huge collection,” she says. “I didn't know you liked books.”

“I do,” I respond. “I like reading them, I like collecting them.” She suddenly frowns, worrying me. “What's wrong?”

“It looks like there's a lot I don't know about you.”

“That's my fault,” I admit after a few seconds. “I'm not the best at putting myself out there. It takes a lot for me to open up, but I'm working on it. I want to be completely open with you from now on, so no more secrets or hidden lives.

She smiles at me, and the curve of her lips makes my heart melt. I lie down beside her in bed, holding her close. Madeline adapts to my body, melding with me. We lie there in comfortable silence for a long time.

Soon, her breathing becomes louder. I look over and see that Madeline is already fast asleep. The sight makes me smile. I place a gentle kiss on her cheek, holding her close.

My mate's scent is even more intoxicating now than it’s ever been. Despite the million things I have to do, I lie in bed with the love of my life, not planning to let go anytime soon.

Eventually, I join her, and we both fall fast asleep.

I remove the pan from the stove and give it a good shake. The pancake flips perfectly, revealing the golden-brown color it had been cultivating on the heat.

I add it to the growing pile of blueberry pancakes on the counter. I bring out the maple syrup and diced strawberries. I add them to the meal before transporting it to my bedroom.

Madeline is rubbing her eyes and yawning when I walk in. She does a double take seeing the mountain of food I'm bringing her way. “What is all this?” she asks.

“Breakfast.”

“I told you I'd make breakfast today,” she pouts.

“I know, but you looked so peaceful as you slept. I didn't want to wake you. Besides, I really like cooking for you.”

Madeline can't stay mad at the gesture. Her cheeks start to blush, but she changes her mind. “Thank you, but I can't finish all of it.”

“That's okay, we'll eat it together.”

She cuts herself a piece, letting it stay in her mouth for more than a second before swallowing, causing her to shiver and shake her head. “How can it be this good?” she moans. “How do you keep doing this?”

“They're just pancakes,” I explain.

She continues shaking her head. “No, they’re not. These are heaven's gifts to all of us.” She eats again and finally drops her fork on the plate.

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