CHAPTER 7
Morning comes with the sound of snowplows in the distance.
I wake slowly, awareness returning in pieces. Justin's arm around my waist. His breath warm against my neck. The pleasant soreness in my body that reminds me of everything we did last night.
The plows mean the roads are being cleared.
Reality is coming back.
I shift slightly, and his arm tightens around me.
"Stay," he murmurs, voice rough with sleep.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Good." He presses a kiss to my shoulder. "What time is it?"
I check my phone. "Almost eight. The plows are out."
"I heard." He's quiet for a moment. "We probably have until this afternoon before the roads are passable."
"Then we should make it count."
He rolls me onto my back, hovering over me, eyes still heavy with sleep but warm. "What did you have in mind?"
"Feed me breakfast. You're very good at that."
His mouth curves. "Anything else?"
"Maybe let me return the favor from last night."
Heat flashes in his eyes. "That can be arranged."
Breakfast is leisurely, I devour the pancakes and bacon he cooks for me. We eat at the small kitchen table, knees touching, stealing bites from each other's plates.
"We need to talk about what happens next," Justin says, setting down his coffee.
My stomach tightens. "Okay."
"When we get back, people will notice the shift between us. We'll need to be careful and not because I'm ashamed, but because I won't have anyone thinking you got your job through anything other than merit."
"I know."
"We'll need to talk to HR. Disclose the relationship properly."
"Very romantic," I tease, but my heart is hammering.
"I'm serious, Holly." He reaches across the table, takes my hand. "I want to do this right. No hiding, no sneaking around. You deserve better than being someone's secret."
"What if they make it difficult? HR?"
"Then I'll handle it. That's my job, dealing with difficult things so you don't have to."
"Very Daddy of you."
His grip tightens slightly. "Yes. It is."
The admission hangs between us, honest and raw.
