Ibutter some toast and cut it into tiny squares, sticking them in a bowl. Far less potential for the whole load to slip off onto the blanket that way. ‘Here you go, my love.’
I kiss Bea’s forehead and I’m back in the kitchen, coaxing my Barry’s tea bag around my mug with a spoon, when I hear Miles’ voice.
‘Hi, Beadle. Did you sleep well? You ticklish this morning? Eh?’
Cue rapturous shrieks from Bea.
I freeze.
The morning after is always excruciating, but it turns out it’s a million times worse when you’ve slept with your boss, and you’re in hispenthouse, for crying out loud, and his little girl is there, and you can’t help but be paranoid that for all his sweet, dirty talk and apparent enthusiasm, you were a one-night thing.
Oh, sweet baby Jesus.
He’s topless.
He saunters into the kitchen, rubbing the hair on his chest absently. He’s in those grey flannel pyjama bottoms again, and they arelowon those hips of his. My eyes duck to the sharp jut of his hipbones.
His face lights up as soon as he sees me. I’ve never,everseen him this happy in the morning. Half naked and smiling is definitely the polar opposite of how he is every other morning, when he’s grumpy and (literally) buttoned up.
‘There she is. Morning, gorgeous.’
‘Morning.’ I’m still frozen. I abandon the mug of tea and stare as he comes closer. He’s heaven, and I’m shameless.
‘How’d you sleep?’ He cages me in against the counter with his arms and brushes my lips with his.
‘Good, I think,’ I say dreamily. I’m still staring. My hand goes to his chest. My fingers drift through the fine hairs there. This beautiful, lean man is too much.
‘Good, you think? God, you’re adorable first thing in the morning. My cock was very, very sorry not to wake up with you.’
Argh. He woke up hard, and I wasn’t there for it. It’s a dagger to my heart.
Or my lady parts.
‘I don’t even remember you leaving last night,’ I tell him.
‘You fell asleep in my arms. I really, really wanted to stay.’
He lets go of the counter and grins at me while he slowly, slowly unties my robe. It drops open, and his hands go to my hips, sliding his fingers under the hem of my camisole as he steps right up to me.
‘Told you I’ll be stiff this morning.’
Oh, wow.
Hereally,reallyis.
‘Miles! What about Bea?’ I try to act shocked, but my body has other ideas as I drive my hips forward against his.
‘She’s watching some drivel. She’s on a different planet. You’re heaven.’
He definitely says that to my boobs, not my face.
And he bends his head and kisses me. One arm winds around my back, inside my robe, holding me to him. The other hand strokes my bum in a leisurely fashion. I put my hands on his shoulders and skim them down his arms. Gorgeous man. Silky skin covering delicious muscles.
The scent of sleep coming off his skin may just be the best thing I’ve ever smelt. His lips are soft and his tongue is supple. Persuasive. And as he weaves the taste of his toothpaste through my mouth, it seems fair to assume I don’t have to worry about him being over his interest in me this morning.
My tongue moves more desperately in his mouth. He groans and pulls away.
‘You. Are a huge handful.’
