Damn, that’s some sappy shit right there. What is she doing to me?
“Good morning,” she murmurs, her voice still wrapped in sleep, but somehow, the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. The whole room gets brighter, like the sun’s just decided to show up.
“Morning, Sunshine,” I say, a little too much affection slipping into my voice. “Sleep well?”
She stretches beside me, and my shirt rides up her thighs in a way that’s almost criminal. For a split second, my gaze dips. I mean… I’m only human. I drag my focus back to her face.Pay attention.
I did sleep, eventually. After hours of lying there, her soft breaths in the quiet darkness replaying in my mind. Every second of last night is etched into me, like it matters more than anything else ever has.
“Mm, very. Your bed is dangerously comfortable.”
I chuckle. “Aye, it’s a struggle to leave it most mornings.” And right now, that’s the truth. There’s something about her lying here at ease in my bed that makes everything else seem less important. The world outside could burn down, and I wouldn’t care as long as I could stay right here, next to her.
Her blonde hair is a mess across the pillow, strands spilling in every direction, and damn if it doesn’t wreck me in the bestway. She belongs here. This is exactly where she’s meant to be. The thought sneaks up on me, wedges itself somewhere deep, and I have no clue what the hell to do with it.
I should shake it off and make some cocky remark, but instead, I just stare at her like she’s the first bit of peace I’ve seen in a long time.
“Are you hungry?” I finally ask.
“Starving…” She rolls over onto her side to face me. “For food that is.”
I can’t help myself—I lean in to steal a quick kiss. Just a brush of my mouth against hers, but it’s enough to make my pulse stutter and my self-control falter.
I reluctantly pull back and haul myself out of bed, forcing my legs to work as every part of me screams to climb back in.
I’ve spent the last few hours staring at the ceiling, wide awake, thinking about all the things I want to do to her because the truth is, I’m aching for her. Physically, painfully aching. Have been since the moment she fell asleep, tangled up against me like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“I’m going to grab a quick shower before making breakfast,” I say, turning away from her and adjusting my boxers as casually as possible. My body’s betraying me in the most obvious way, and the thin fabric isn’t hiding a damn thing.
“Take your time,” she calls after me, her voice still husky with sleep.
I slip into the bathroom and close the door, leaning against it as I exhale slowly. My cock is painfully hard, throbbing against the cotton of my boxers. The pressure’s been building all night, through every innocent touch, every quiet breath beside me.
I turn the shower on, cranking the temperature to cold, hoping it might help. All I can think about is Bree in my bed, wearing my shirt, her scent all over my sheets.
“Fuck,” I mutter, stepping under the spray.
The water cascades down my chest, over my stomach, and still, I’m rock hard. I close my eyes, trying to think of anything else, but my mind keeps circling back to her.
I wrap my hand around my length but immediately stop. No. I can’t do this. Not with her just on the other side of that door. It feels…wrong, despite how badly I need the release.
I pull my hand away, gripping the shower wall instead, letting the icy water pound against my back. My body’s still throbbing, demanding attention, but my mind’s made up. I’ll suffer through it.
“Gentleman,” I mutter sarcastically to myself. This is Bree. She deserves better than me getting off while she’s innocently waiting for breakfast in the next room.
I stand there until my breathing steadies and my body calms down enough that I can function. The cold water helps but not enough. This is going to be a long morning.
When I finally step out, I wrap a towel around my waist and stare at my reflection in the steamy mirror. “Get it together, MacKenzie.”
I brush my teeth, splash more cold water on my face, and finally work up the courage to open the door.
I find her sitting on my bed, sheets pooled around her waist, scrolling through her phone. My T-shirt hangs loose on her frame, slipping off one shoulder to reveal smooth skin I’m desperate to taste. When she looks up at me, her smile nearly stops my heart.
I turn to grab a change of clothes from the dresser, towel still barely hanging onto my hips. “I’m just gonna get changed real quick.”
“Want me to look away?”
I glance over my shoulder with a smirk. “Not necessary. I’m fairly confidentin my assets.”
