Page 24 of Unexpectedly Wanted
“Yes,” I rushed to say. “Because you made a cup like it was a normal thing that we do. I felt like I had to. But I no longer can keep up the charade. Coffee is gross.”
He chuckled, then said, “This coming from the guy that chugs those energy drinks like they are going out of style.”
“I don’t like them, I need them,” I quickly explained.
“Helps you focus?” he asked, like he already knew the answer.
“Yes,” I said, meeting his eyes for the first time this morning.
His lips tipped up in a soft smile, and I felt my face morph into a scowl as I stared at his mouth. I hadn’t meant it to come off like that, like I didn’t like it. I very much did like it. It felt like that smile was private and meant for only me. However, I wasn’t sure what to do with it. What to make of it. And the fact that it was for me, made me extremely uncomfortable. But… maybe not uncomfortable in a bad way.
“You have a nice face,” I said oddly.
“Thanks,” he said, and that smile grew wider.
“No, it’s true. Everything is nicely proportioned and nearly symmetrical. It works well and is pleasant to look at.”
I shook my head and turned to rush into the bathroom. I wasn’t sure why I’d said that. It was true, but that wasn’t the only reason his face was nice. What was wrong with me?
“I like your face, too,” I heard him call out right as I shut the door behind me.
I leaned against the door and let out a shaky breath.
I had to get it together.
And try my hardest not to jack off behind this closed door, because I had an erection since I’d woken up with him still wrapped around me. No, I couldn’t give in. I would just do my best to ignore it.
But I wondered how long I’d be able to hold it together.
9
Remy
As I made my coffee down in the kitchen, I felt like a bug under a microscope. Lorna was studying me from her little spot at the table in the breakfast nook. Harold was doing his best to play oblivious while he intently studied whatever it was he happened to be looking at on his tablet.
Just great.
I lifted the cup to my lips and took a sip. Maybe if I acted as oblivious as Harold, she wouldn’t say anything to me. Which meant that I could not go anywhere near that table. So I busied myself with making breakfast. First, taking my time to peruse the contents of the fridge and the pantry, trying to find something to eat. And then, stretching out the length of time it took to make a bagel to the point that it felt painful. Milo was taking forever to get down here. Not that I needed him to rescue me. At least with him around, I had something to positively focus on.
“Where is Milo?” Lorna asked.
With a deep breath in, I reminded myself that she simply couldn’t help her tone, since I had no doubt that she’d been doing it most of her life.
“He’s upstairs getting ready for work,” I told her. He would be going to work today because he felt safe there.
“I swear,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s like he doesn’t even want to spend time with his own mother. I just don’t understand why.”
Milo picked that moment to come stomping down the stairs. He entered the kitchen right before I said something about how I couldn’t imagine why her son wouldn’t want to spend time with someone that treated him the way she did.
His cheeks were slightly red, and he was avoiding my gaze.
Which left me wondering what the hell he’d been doing up there. Though it was probably best if I didn’t know.
He slid into the space beside me, but still didn’t look up. I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
“Eat this,” I said, pushing the bagel that I hadn’t even taken a bite of across the counter in his direction.
“Thanks,” he mumbled. “I’m going to head out.”
