21
Iwoke up to the smell of bacon and coffee. Rolling onto my back, I stretched until my joints popped. The bed was warm. I could have stayed lying in the heap of blankets forever.
But the idea of breakfast was too compelling. I rummaged around in my drawers for a pair of clean underwear, then looked around for something easy to put on. My eyes landed on Liam's t-shirt, tossed haphazardly on the floor. A flush reddened my face.
That would be way too cheesy. Wouldn't it?
I debated with myself for a few minutes.
I swiped up the shirt and tugged it on. The hem fell just low enough to cover my important bits.
It smelled like him.
With pinked cheeks, I left the bedroom and padded over to the kitchen in bare feet. Liam was standing in front of the stove in his boxers, spatula in hand. His soft hair was all messed up at the back, sticking up in all directions. He hadn't showered yet.
I came up behind him, careful to make shuffling sounds so I wasn't sneaking up. He turned his head just as I wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my cheek against his broad back.
"Good morning," he said with a smile.
"Morning," I murmured back before letting out a yawn. "Coffee?" I asked expectantly.
"Are you one of those,can't function without caffeinetypes?" he asked, amused.
"Mmm," was all I said. It was too early in the morning to communicate in full sentences.
"I've made a pot over there," he said. "Hope you don't mind I made myself at home."
My only response was to squeeze him tight and place a kiss on his inked arm.
"Do you have any plans for the day?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"I have an idea for something fun we could do," he said.
Liam kept his tone light and casual, but I was suddenly abruptly awake.
"Like… a date?" I asked carefully.
He shrugged easily, but his shoulder muscles tensed up. "Sure."
"I'd love to," I said.
"Yeah?" he asked with a hint of relief.
"Did you think I'd say no?"
"We never really talked about…" he trailed off.
"Ooh, are we having The Talk?" I teased. I turned him around to face me. "I told you. I want you by my side."
Green eyes met mine, somber. "I want to make sure we're on the same page."
"You want to make this official?" I smiled. "I, Cerise Moreau, want you, Liam Knight, to be my boyfriend."
"Isn't this supposed to be the other way around?" His lips quirked up. "Shouldn't I be getting down on one knee?"
"Hold up now," I said. "You're not supposed to skip the entire book and go straight to the last page."
