Alyssa barked out a laugh. “Okay, I think that’s enough from you. I get what you’re saying though.”
“Good. Go have breakfast and just see where it goes. Don’t put a limit on it and don’t, for the love of beans, worry about me, the team, or the dogs.”
20
Breakfast in Bed (Eventually)
Alyssa
“Hello?” Alyssa slowly pushed open Evelyn’s front door. She’d contemplated ringing the doorbell, but Evelyn did tell her to use the door code she’d sent through a text message last night. Still, it was a little weird letting herself into Evelyn’s home. Especially when she couldn’t hear the woman. What if Evelyn was still asleep?
Thetic tic ticof Bug’s paws was the first sign of life in the dark penthouse. Pushing forward, Alyssa closed the door, took off her coat and wandered into the living room. No sign of Evelyn.
Even though Alyssa had been in the penthouse before, she’d never had a tour, so blindly opening doors didn’t seem like a good plan. Entering the kitchen, Alyssa threw caution to the wind and set the coffee machine going. Rooting through the fridge, she found some fruit and yoghurt. Would Evelyn like breakfast in bed? Was that too much?
Am I a creeper?
Bug tottered into the kitchen, lying down by the window. Ah, he found a sun patch.
“You had a good time, buddy?”
Bug yawned and collapsed in a dramatic heap. Ten minutes later, Alyssa was armed with a tray of coffee, tea, orange juice, toast, and fruit with honey yoghurt. Better to over prepare, right?
Wandering down the hall, Alyssa poked her head through the first open door. Not Evelyn’s bedroom, but a guest room. Alyssa noted the bed covers, smiled, and made a note to talk to Evelyn about them. The next door along was ajar. The blinds were half drawn, allowing sunlight to filter in. Alyssa could see Evelyn asleep.
Creeping into the room slowly, Alyssa sat the tray on the bedside table closest to Evelyn and sat on the bed. It was now or never. Alyssa figured it was going to go one of two ways. Either Evelyn would love the surprise, or freak the hell out when she realised Alyssa had let herself in, used her kitchen, and entered her room without her knowing it. A pit of dread began filling in her stomach.
Suddenly this seemed like the worst idea in the world.
I need to leave!
Standing up, Alyssa went to tiptoe away but was stopped by a hand, grabbing her wrist gently.
“Where are you going?” Evelyn’s sleepy voice whispered.
Alyssa’s heart did a little flutter. Evelyn’s sleepy voice was low and raspy. It was hot. Hell, Evelyn all mussed up from sleep was hot!
“I didn’t want to scare you,” Alyssa answered, settling back down on the edge of the bed.
“You didn’t. I thought I was dreaming.” Evelyn’s smile was shy, which caused Alyssa to melt. God, could this woman get any more enticing?
“I made you breakfast. Maybe I should have waited, or come back later?”
“What time is it?”
Alyssa scooted away as Evelyn adjusted herself into an upright position. Evelyn’s usually pristine blonde hair jutted out in different directions. Smiling even harder, Alyssa let her fingers reach out and tuck the blonde locks behind Evelyn’s ear. Then she froze. Not only had she let herself into Evelyn’s home, now she had touched her without permission.
What the bloody hell is wrong with me?
Snatching her hand back, Alyssa avoided looking at Evelyn. “Sorry about that. Um, it’s…um…it’s…”
“Alyssa, stop.”
Chancing a look, Alyssa breathed out a sigh of relief. There wasn’t a shred of annoyance or discomfort on Evelyn’s beautiful face.
“Would you kiss me?”
Sucking in a sharp breath, Alyssa had to remind herself how to function like a regular human. What was it about Evelyn that stripped her of coherent thought and action?
