Page 177 of My Real Love Affair

“Starving.” His eyes raked over me appreciatively. “But not necessarily for food.”

I laughed, grabbing his discarded shirt from the floor and pulling it on. It hung to mid-thigh. I caught the way his gaze darkened, watching me in his clothes. “Behave. I need to feed you actual sustenance.”

“Fine,” he sighed dramatically. “But only because I need energy for later.”

I headed toward the door, then paused. “Oh, do you have any plans for the day? Meetings or anything?”

He stretched, completely at ease with his naked body on full display. “Nope. Just you.”

“Me?”

“My only plan for today is doingyou.” The wicked grin he flashed made my stomach flip. “In every sense of the word. Which is why I need my energy.”

I felt my cheeks heat. “You’re impossible.”

“You love it.”

I did. God help me, I really did.

I left him in bed and padded downstairs to the kitchen. The anxiety that had been coiled tight in my chest since our difficult conversation had finally released its grip. We were okay. Better than okay.

I surveyed the contents of my fridge, trying to decide what to make. I had the basics. Eggs, cheese, and some vegetables that were still good. Omelets it was.

I was whisking eggs when Austin appeared in the doorway, wearing his boxer briefs and nothing else. His hair was still a disaster, and there were faint red marks on his chest where mynails had scraped. He looked thoroughly debauched, and I loved it.

“Can I help?” he asked.

“You can sit there and look pretty,” I said, gesturing to the barstool at the island.

“I’m very good at that.” He settled onto the stool, chin propped in his hand.

I flashed him another smile and decided I really liked having him half-naked in my kitchen.

CHAPTER 55

AUSTIN

Iwoke up to Melody already out of bed, humming to herself in the bathroom. I stretched, feeling more relaxed than I had in days. Last night had been incredible. Yesterday had been everything. We spent the whole day hanging out. Eating. Having sex. And just being together.

And I was hoping for a repeat today. That was the bonus of not having a job. We could hang out all day every day.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” she called out, appearing in the doorway wrapped in a fluffy robe, her hair still messy from sleep and my hands.

“Morning, beautiful.”

She padded over and kissed me, tasting like mint toothpaste. “I have a full day of content creation blocked out. You’re welcome to hang around, but fair warning—it’s going to be boring for you.”

I sat up, an idea forming. “What if I help?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Help how?”

“I can be your assistant. Your photographer. Your eye candy.” I waggled my eyebrows.

She laughed, and the sound made my chest warm. “You want to take pictures of me trying on clothes?”

“Baby girl, I want to do whatever makes you happy. Plus, I’m genuinely curious about what you do all day. Show me your world. And I should remind you the photos I took of you blew up on your social media. I’m apparently pretty good at it.”

Her expression softened. “Okay. But you have to follow my directions. This is my work.”