“That I do.” He glanced at his phone. “But I still have time.” He grinned wickedly at her. “Eat fast, you’re wasting precious time.”
“Why is your sister so worried about you eating when you can cook for yourself?”
Annika regretted the question immediately as his eyes darkened, and the sexy grin disappeared into sadness. “Because I don’t usually have food in my fridge to cook. It’s easier to grab something on the go. And besides—” his eyes lit up again “—I needed an excuse to show up at the bar to see you.”
Annika relished the last bit of that omelet and gulped her coffee before going to him. He turned toward her in his chair; she brought her legs around him, straddling him. “I’m done.”
“I thought you’d eat forever.” His voice was oh so husky with desire for her, and she was heady with the effect she had on him. He wrapped strong calloused hands under her shirt and around her waist, kissing her like he hadn’t spent the whole evening doing just that. And more. Annika was just surrendering to him when the door opened. Annika flew out of Daniel’s lap and onto the floor, looking up to find Naya standing in the doorway.
Naya’s eyes widened and then quickly scrunched shut. “Oh, God. Oh, God. I’m sorry. I swear I didn’t see anything.”
Annika scrambled to standing. Naya opened one eye slowly.
“It’s fine, Naya.” Annika smiled. “We’re dressed.” She glanced at Daniel, who widened his eyes at her. She shifted so she stood in front of him, partially blocking him from view. “Well, sort of.”
Naya opened her other eye and tilted her head to peek behind Annika. Her eyes widened again before she quickly shifted her gaze to Annika. “Daniel?” she stage-whispered, as if Daniel couldn’t hear them.
Annika flushed and glared at Naya. Daniel chuckled softly behind her as he stood up and waved, grinning. “Hey, Naya. Your timing is impeccable—every time.”
It was Naya’s turn to flush as she waved back. “Yeah, sorry about that.”
Awkward silence floated around for a beat until Naya spoke. “Yeah. So, I’ll just pop into my room and grab a few things. I’ll be gone before you know it.”
“No. It’s fine. Daniel has a shift soon anyway. No need to run off.”
“Yeah, don’t run off on my account.” But he didn’t move.
Naya looked at both of them and raised her eyebrows. “Uh-huh. Okay.” She bolted for her room.
“I should go.” He looked down at her as he placed a hand on either side of her face.
“You’ll need your shirt.”
“That I will.” He smirked at her as he kissed her and started to unbutton the shirt.
“She’ll be out any minute.”
“I doubt that,” Daniel managed between kisses. “We’ve scared her off.”
“True.” She led him back to her room. “But I need clothes, and you really do have to go.”
AFTERDANIELLEFT, she showered and changed and grabbed a fresh cup of coffee before peeking into her cousin’s room. Naya was putting away clean laundry.
“Hey.” Annika brought the warm mug of coffee to her lips and sipped.
Naya looked up at her, tight-lipped. “Hey, yourself.”
Okay.Annika flushed. “So... Ravi, huh?”
Naya couldn’t meet her eyes, and Annika swore she saw her cousin swoon. She’d never seen Naya quite so smitten.
Naya looked at her and tried to shrug casually but failed as giggles escaped her mouth. “Are you giggling?”
Naya shook her head as she continued to giggle. “I know it seems weird, we haven’t known each other that long, but we...fit. He’s easy. And I’ve never been so comfortable to just be myself with someone, you know?”
She did know.
“And the thing is...he feels the same way.” She giggled again.
