The scent of eggs and bacon woke me just in time to see Jude looking like a sexy domesticated rock star, singing “Dream On” shirtless in my kitchen. I was wrapped like a burrito in his blanket, and my hair was frizzed out like a troll doll, but I wiggled around till I could prop my chin on the arm of the couch and watch him to my heart’s content.
And was my heartevercontent as I shamelessly ogled the muscles of his back and shoulders.
He caught me looking when he set our plates on the bar.
“You’re staring, baby. Any confessions?”
I motioned with my finger for him to come to me. He was easily persuaded, scooping me into his lap as he settled back into my blanket pile. I reveled in his clean scent and sleepily traced the tattoos on his chest. It was nowhere near 10 a.m., but he was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed like all was right in his world.
“It’s not ten,” I croaked.
“No, but I woke up hot, so I took a shower. Then I was wide awake.”
“You woke up hot, all right,” I mumbled, half asleep. “I wake up like warm garbage.”
“I was warm garbage when I got here.” He grinned, stroking my cheek. “But I felt great after I slept.”
“You felt great after sleeping on the floor?”
“Next to you, Punk.” He laughed, amused by my morning attitude. “I moved us to the couch, so it wasn’t bad. I just needed you. Those cute little sighs and snores are better than white noise.”
I lifted my hand to smack his chest, but he intercepted my sleepy movement, kissing my knuckles. “Your energy drink is on the counter. Go shower, and I’ll keep the food warm.”
I groaned, not wanting to move yet.
“Your morning breath doesn’t scare me. If you stay where you are, you will be kissed.”
My hand flew to my mouth, blocking any kiss attempt as I rolled off his lap, letting out a squeal when a light swat connected with my hip, scandalously close to my behind.
I spun around in mock horror but couldn’t contain my laughter.
“I warned you,” he said, rising from the couch with a heated grin. I ran to the bathroom and shut the door. “You better lock it!”
After breakfast we went back to the guys’ place so Jude could repack. We crowded into his room to hang out while he reorganized his suitcase and started a load of laundry.
“Why ya repackin’ if you’re coming back?” Sam asked, still lying across Jude’s unmade bed with me perched at his feet.
“So I don’t have to do it this weekend.”
The bed shook when Sam waggled his eyebrows in time with his hips. “Ahh, more time forbow-chicka-wow-wow.”
“SAM!” both guys yelled as I sprang to my feet on the bed, fully intending to drop a WWE elbow in his gut. Jude pulled me off the bed, restraining me against his chest.
Sam’s childish giggle died on his lips. “Oh, crap. Sorry. Too soon?”
“Too none of your business!” I snapped at him.
Jace spun the desk chair toward us, barely holding in a laugh. “Dude, don’t make comments like that in an enclosed space. What’s wrong with you?”
“I said I’m sorry.” Sam tossed a pillow.
Jace caught it and launched it back at Sam’s head. “Granny and Gramps over here were asleep before you. There was zero action in 2B last night.”
“Okay, that was equally offensive.” Jude still held me tightly from behind. I gripped his forearms under my chin, debating whether I should be amused or violent.
The teasing finally waned, and Sammy launched back into his never-ending plea to move into their tiny extra bedroom rather than return to the dorms. “I’m wastin’ money on that room and board plan, y’know? I can’t focus with so many people walkin’ in and out, and I travel a lot. Y’all are probably gonna be hitched by Christmas anyway…”
My eyes blew wide before Jude stopped him. “Son! Rest your yap, for the love…”
