Page 50 of Make You Mine

Practice…the word echoed in my dreams as his arms tightened around me, and I felt him relax against me.

Chapter15

Ren

Iwoke up in bed with two cats and no Piper.

The sun streamed through her gauzy pink curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Smog and Nimbus were curled on either side of me asleep. I stretched slowly, careful not to disturb them.

The scent of coffee reached me before I heard Piper’s footsteps in the hall. She appeared in the doorway, a tray in her hands and a smile that made my heart skip a beat on her gorgeous face. “Good morning,” she said, her voice soft and soothing. “They like you. I love this.”

“Morning,” I replied, propping myself up on one elbow. The cats stirred but remained comfortably nestled against me.

The ratty old bathrobe was nowhere to be found. Not a caftan in sight either. I’d barely had time last night to process what she’d been wearing when I drove up let alone when we were dealing with all the raccoons, but I was sure as fuck processing it now.

A tiny red tank top skirted the edge of her waist, riding high above a skimpy white pair of soft cotton sleep shorts with a strawberry print. Her legs were long, her hips were made for my hands to grip?—

Fuck me.

I needed a cold shower. Or to shoo the cats out of the room and find some way to get her beneath me.

Frantically, I bunched the covers over my dick so she wouldn’t see what she was doing to me as she approached the bed to place the tray on the nightstand. “I made breakfast. I hope you like blueberry muffins. They’re homemade because that’s me, a baker.” She closed her eyes, shaking her head. “And a dork.”

My stomach rumbled in response, and I grinned. “I love blueberry muffins, any kind of muffin, really. But what I love more is waking up here with you. Thank you, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

“It’s my turn to take care of you now.” She laughed softly. “It’s no trouble at all. I enjoy it. Besides, you deserve a little pampering after last night.”

She handed me a steaming mug of coffee, and I took a sip. As I settled back against the headboard, she joined me on the bed, carefully arranging the tray so we could both reach.

“I have to tell you something—” I started, but she cut me off.

“No, I think I already know what it is. I talked to Lucy earlier.” She took a sip of coffee, her eyes twinkling into mine as she looked at me above the rim of her mug. “She was thrilled that I have a new sexy-hot, protective boyfriend. And she told me she invited you to the weenie roast. And she brought up the Richard thing. Ugh.”

“Is everything okay?”

“So far, yeah, it’s just typical Richard. I’m sorry you had to deal with him, but I appreciate it.”

“No, I’m sorry I got carried away. It took all I had not to knock him out and get Cody back for you. If I messed things up, I’ll fix it. But I’ll fix it even if I didn’t mess anything up. You just have to let me.”

“I have it under control. Jake is preparing paperwork for me to buy Dana out, or to fight it if she actually makes an offer to me first, and if you know of any dog custody experts, we need a list. Thank you for standing up for me. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Jake is the perfect person to go to about the bakery, and I’ll get him a list of people he can consult with about Cody ASAP. You’re in good hands with him.”

“I just hope this can all be done before we open. Violet thinks I’ll have to make Dana miserable first, then she’ll cave. But I’m not too sure about that. Especially because Jake told me to avoid her as much as possible.”

I chuckled at the thought of Piper making anyone miserable. She was so damn sweet. “So, what’s the weenie roast all about? Do I need to bring anything?”

She laughed. “No, just bring yourself. My grandpa sets up a small bonfire out back. We get potato salad and pie from the Pennywhistle Pantry because those are his favorites. We eat off paper plates, so there’s nothing to clean up. Then, we drink beer and shoot the shit for a couple of hours. Rain or shine, every other week, it happens. You’re on the roster now. But don’t worry, there’s another newbie besides you—Lucy’s boyfriend, Spencer. Remember him? From Christmas, when he picked you and Jake up in Portland in his tow truck? He saved Lucy from a snowbank right before New Year’s Eve, and now they’re together.”

“He’s a good guy. I’m happy for her. Are you okay with me being there?”

“Yes.” Her smile lit me up inside. “I would have invited you myself after this morning. So, yes. I’m more than okay with it. Plus, it’ll be good practice for us, don’t you think?”

Practice.The word hit like a little jab in my heart, but I let it go.

“It couldn’t hurt. I’m not used to stuff like this. My family was never big on gathering together. Until now, with Jake and Violet.”

“We didn’t either at first—because of my dad. But Grandpa said he wouldn’t have five granddaughters who didn’t talk to each other, so the weenie roast was born. We’re an odd bunch, but it works. All our moms, except Eliza’s, are friends now, and Dad is off, who knows where, with his latest girlfriend. He would never show up anyway.”

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