Page 81 of After You Returned

“You don’t have wrinkles. But even if you did, you’d be beautiful.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re laying it on pretty thick this morning.”

He shrugs. “I’m in a good mood. I woke up holding the woman I love in my arms.”

My heart spasms the same way it always does when he says he loves me. The words cause warmth to spread throughout my body until I’m all warm and mushy.

“You don’t believe me yet. But you will.” He kisses my nose before hopping out of bed. “What do you want for breakfast?”

“Breakfast?” Is he seriously going to fix me breakfast? Usually, he runs away as fast as possible after we’ve spent the night together.

Ugh. Stop it, Hazel. I agreed to give him a second chance. I can’t give him a second chance while holding a grudge about the past.

“I don’t have much in my pantry. I was supposed to go grocery shopping yesterday but somehow I didn’t get around to it.”

He waggles his eyebrows before pulling on his jeans. “Worth it. I’ll find something for us to eat, or I’ll treat you to a pastry atPirate’s Pastries.”

“Oh, what kind of pastry? I could go for a pirate’s plunder muffin. Or maybe a shipwreck cookie. Or a Kelpie crunch or Selkie bite.”

My stomach rumbles in agreement. Parker makes the best pastries. She should be working in some famous patisserie in New York City or Paris. But I’m glad she’s not. Especially since she fell in love with a billionaire and now he’s moving his entire business to the island.

Miles chuckles. “You better get dressed if you want to go toPirate’s Pastries.”

I jump out of bed and rush toward the attached bathroom. “I won’t be ten minutes.”

He barks out a laugh. “You need more than ten minutes to dry your hair.”

I rush through my morning routine, although I don’t bother drying my hair. It’ll be a mess of curls I can’t get a brush through later but I don’t want Miles to wait any longer. Assuming he didn’t flee already.

When I return to the bedroom to get dressed, I notice a steaming cup of coffee on the bedside table. I take a sip and moan. It’s prepared the way I prefer it. Lots of sugar and milk. Yum.

I dress in my usual ‘uniform’ for days I work as a therapist. Roomy clothes I can move in and comfortable shoes.

I rush into the kitchen – half expecting Miles to be gone – but he’s sitting at my table drinking a cup of coffee while playing on his phone.

“You’re here.” The words escape before I can stop them.

Hurt flashes in his deep blue eyes but he blinks and it’s gone. Did I imagine it?

“I’m here. Right where I want to be. Although.” He waggles his eyebrows. “I wouldn’t have minded staying in bed for another round.”

I wag my finger at him. “What about the whole ‘we won’t have sex until you understand I’m serious about you’-thing?”

He stands and prowls toward me. I try to back up but end up hitting the wall. He slams his palms against the wall to cage me in.

“Do you need me to show you how serious I am about you again? Because I can.”

My breath hitches. I want him to show me again. And again. My panties dampen and my nipples tighten as memories of how well Miles can show me he’s serious flitter through my mind.

He nips my chin. “What time is your first patient?”

I tilt my head to offer him better access. “Nine.”

He swears under his breath before stepping away. “It’s after eight. I need to get you fed before your first patient arrives.”

My mouth gapes open. “You’d rather eat than get naked with me?”

His blue eyes darken until they’re practically violet. “Don’t get me wrong. I always want to get naked withyou. But I need to take care of you, too. And you need to eat before you start work. I don’t want you hungry when dealing with patients.”