Page 80 of The Baby Dragon Bakery
He smirked. “Oh, I intend to.” He kissed her cheek. “Now come on, we should get up.”
“You go shower first,” she said. “I need some time before I can stand.”
He laughed. “I’m obsessed with you,” he said, giving her another kiss.
“Oh, trust me, I know,” she said.
Thank god her bathroom was attached to her room and he didn’t have to worry about running into her little brother. Theo showered, then came out in a towel, picking his discarded clothes up off the floor, until he searched for his shirt, unable to find it.
“Hey, Lav, have you seen—” He looked up to find Lavinia holding his flannel shirt in her hands.
“I told you I was stealing this,” she said, slipping it on. She gave him a wicked smile.
“Mhm. And what, exactly, am I supposed to wear?” he asked. He picked up her cropped sweatshirt, holding it up. “Think this will do?” She burst out laughing.
“I love that look for you,” she said, getting out of bed. As she tried to sneak past him, he locked an arm around her waist, pulling her against him.
“Oh no you don’t,” he said. “I need this back.”
He kissed her neck as he unbuttoned the shirt. She snaked a hand into his wet hair, tilting her face to kiss him on the lips, humming.
“Fine,” she said, tugging his hair. “But I want it back later.”
“Alright, alright, promise,” he said.
She slid the flannel shirt off, and he stared at her bare body, his jaw going slack. She gave him a wicked grin, then ran to the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
He heard the shower turn on and had half a mind to join her in there, but knew they needed to go before her parents woke up. Theo got dressed, and Lavinia came out a little while later, getting dressed as well.
After she had thrown on a sweater dress and tights, she brushed her hair then applied lotion. He sat on her bed and watched her, relishing these little moments, still astounded that he was here at all. When she was ready, she opened the drawer of her vanity and pulled something out, showing it to him.
A familiar bottle.
“Is that my cologne?” he asked, walking up to her as she sprayed her wrist. She rubbed her wrists together, pressing them against her neck.
“You left it here the day of the engagement party,” she said. “I know I should have given it back, but . . .” She trailed off, shrugging. He put his arms around her, hugging her from behind, and inhaled the scent. She smelled like him.
His chest tightened. “I love you,” he said, kissing her cheek.
He had never believed in things like fate or being written in the stars before, but now, there was no doubt in his mind that there were invisible strings at work. How else could he have gotten so lucky to have her in his life? It was nothing short of a miracle.
“I love you, too,” she said, tilting back to kiss him. “Now let’s go.”
Lavinia opened her bedroom door, pausing; the house was quiet. It was Sunday morning, so her parents were sleeping in, which was good. They tiptoed downstairs, careful not to make any noise.
When they got downstairs, Lavinia headed for the kitchen to get some water and he followed, both of them moving quietly. Until they stopped altogether at the entrance.
Alfie was at the counter, eating chocolatey cereal in his pajamas, which were decorated with footballs. Biter was on his shoulder, her little paws holding onto his head. They both looked over at Lavinia and Theo.
Alfie gave them a conspicuous look. “What’s Theo doing here?” he asked. Theo’s heartbeat quickened.
“Um . . .” Lavinia blinked, glancing at Theo before looking back at her little brother. “Theo and I just had a little sleepover.”
“WHAT?” Alfie was outraged. Theo froze, panic rising. At Alfie’s tone, Biter growled, narrowing her red eyes at Theo.
“Sh!” Lavinia hissed, not that her brother cared. He was too busy being utterly betrayed.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked. Oh.Thatwas what he was upset about. “I would have joined you.”
