“Why not? I’m your biggest fan.”
“True enough.” She smiles. “It looks good there. I’m a little impressed with myself,” she adds with a hint of pride. Maybe she’s finally starting to realize just how talented she is. “I love your room. It’s soyou.”
“It feels good to have you in it,” I say, watching her fingers trail over the comforter.
“I’ll lay out a hoodie for you.”
“I brought one.”
“I want you wearing something of mine if that’s okay.”
“Very okay.”
“Oh, and I made space for you in the top drawer and in the closet. I don’t want you living out of a bag.”
“You didn’t have to do that, but thank you.”
“It was no problem. I want you to feel at home.”
Leaving her to it, I go shower in Sophia’s bathroom and change into navy sweats and a gray tank top. When I hear the water shut off in my room, I grab a small surprise from the fridge and scribble her a note. Then wait for her to join me in the living room.
Minutes later, she appears, bundled in my olive-green sweatshirt. It skims her mid-thigh, the hem swishing against her smooth skin. Her mile-long legs are bare except for fuzzy socks, slouching on her calves. Ponytail, glasses, and no makeup, just effortlessly sexy. My blood goes hot.
She settles beside me on the couch and spots the box. “What’s that?”
“Open it and see.”
Lexie lifts the lid. “You didn’t!” She glances up at me, her eyes wide with delight, a radiant smile on her face.
“I had the baker we use for our pastries make it special. Told her it needed to have the perfect ratio of chocolate to whipped cream. I hope she got it right.”
“Oh, I think so.” She carefully picks up the éclair and inspects it like it’s fine jewelry. “Gorgeous,” she murmurs.
“It’s just an éclair,” I say, amused.
“Just?” she scoffs, her eyebrow arching as she gives me a pointed look. “If this is just an éclair, then diamonds are just shiny rocks.”
“I’m not going to argue with a woman who knows her chocolate and probably diamonds too.”
“Smart man.” She grins. “But give me chocolate over diamonds any day.”
Her reaction, even in jest, reinforces what I already know. Despite her wealth, Lexie appreciates the small gestures and a down-to-earth lifestyle.
When she finally takes a bite, her eyes flutter closed on a moan, “Mmmmm.”
“Good?” I ask. The answer is obvious as her expression melts into orgasmic bliss. It’s the kind of look I’m desperate to put on her face in a whole other way.
“The best one I’ve ever had. Thank you, and please tell your baker I’m going to need a dozen of these.” She savors one more bite before she puts the rest aside and notices the napkin tucked beneath the box.
She picks it up and reads it out loud:
“I had to go with cannoli,” I explain, “because I couldn’t think up one for éclair.”
She laughs hard. “You’re seriously too much. How did I get this lucky?”
“Feeling’s mutual, Blue. I’m feeling pretty damn lucky myself.” I reach out, twisting loose a strand of her hair around my finger. I don’t know who leans in first, but the distance closes, and our lips meet. Her chocolatey-flavored tongue sweeps into my mouth. I pull her to me, one hand circling her waist, the other hand cradling the back of her head to angle her just right. I want to sink all the way into her until there’s nothing between us.
“Chaz,” she moans as I kiss down her jaw to her neck, breathing her in. My cock swells, and she responds, her hands gripping my biceps, her body squirming against me, her breath quick and choppy.
