When she comes out of the bathroom, she walks over to me and slides her arms around my waist. I set down the spatula I’m holding and hug her tight.
“How’d you sleep?” I ask.
“Like a rock. How about you?”
“Same. I always sleep well when you’re with me.”
She leans up and blesses me with a beautiful smile. “Your body is so warm when you sleep.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, I guess I run kind of hot.”
“It’s nice. I’m always so cold.”
I gently tap her foot with my foot. “Your toes are like ice cubes, firecracker. Ironic.”
She chuckles. I drop a quick kiss to her mouth before I turn back to the pancakes and flip them over.
I finish cooking them while Kendall makes a pot of coffee. She grabs two mugs and pours us each some. I watch as she moves so naturally in my space. I can picture her living here, sharing this space with me.
That expanding feeling lands at the center of my chest once more. I push it aside so I can focus on finishing cooking.
I cook the rest of the pancakes, stack them on a couple of plates, and sit down next to Kendall.
“Do you normally eat chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast?” she asks.
“Nope. I usually have a protein shake. Then I do my morning workout or go to practice, and then I usually have eggs, avocado, and chicken breast.”
She wrinkles her nose. “I’m sorry, but that sounds terrible.”
I laugh. “I know. It’s not the most fun breakfast in the world, but I gotta fuel up for hockey.”
She smiles at me. “Thank you for breaking your athlete diet for me.”
I cup her face with my hand and lean in to kiss her. “I’ll break any rule for you, firecracker.”
That pretty blush I love so much paints her cheeks. We finish the rest of our pancakes and sip our coffee.
“So what do you feel like doing today?” I ask.
“Honestly? I just kind of want to hang out here at your place, if that’s okay.” She blinks at me like she’s nervous to tell me this. “I can leave though. I’m sure you’d like your space back?—”
I kiss her again, cutting her off. When we break apart, I look her in the eye. “Stay as long as you want. I love having you here.”
She grins wide. “I wanna take a bath in your giant tub. Would that be okay?”
“Of course.”
“Will you take a bath with me?”
I stand up and scoop her in my arms. She squeals.
“Wow. Someone’s excited,” she teases.
“I get to be naked and wet with you, firecracker. Fuck yeah, I’m excited.”
Chapter 40
Liam
