I let out a low whistle.
She snorts, shoving lightly at my chest. “Stop.”
I grin, dipping my head to kiss her neck again, but she slips out of my hold. “Mm,” I grumble, reaching for her again. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I have to get ready.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Nate,” she complains, trying to wriggle free when I pull her back into my hold. “I do. I should have already left by now and—”
“I’ll be quick. C’mon, let me touch you again.”
“I don’t have time.”
I set her free and watch her bend over to start the shower.
Jesus.
I am one lucky man.
“You sure? I could help you out in the shower. Start your day off real good.”
“Nate,” she stands up, trying to look stern, but all she’s doing is making me want her more, frowning like that. “If I let you in the shower, I’m going to be late.”
“Fine,” I sigh, backing out of the bathroom, knowing I ain’t winning this one. “But you’re missing out!”
My heart feels heavy walking through the front door without Iris. After last night, being away from her so soon feels wrong. I should be making her breakfast, kissing her while she’s still half-asleep, but she has to work, and I need to be home with Alex.
I expected everybody to still be sleeping, but Alex is on the couch, one arm propped up on a pillow, the other holding a controller. Noah is beside him, focused on the game, while Sammy’s perched on the other side, drawing on his cast with a marker. “Ha! Eat my dust, Noah!”
“Not today!”
Alex frowns at the screen when Noah knocks him off the track, taking the win at the last second. “What the hell, dude! That’s cheating!”
Noah looks up at me with the biggest smile. “Uncle Nate! You missed me kicking Alex’s butt!”
“Don’t worry, kid, I saw.”
Alex groans, flopping against the couch cushions. “I can’t believe this. I’m all fucked up, and you’re bullying me.”
“Look, Alex! Pretty!”
“Not bad, kid. Giving Iris a run for her money,” Alex says, inspecting the new flower design on his cast. Sammy lights up at the compliment. She hasn’t stopped talking about Iris since Christmas.
I relax against the couch, my mind still stuck on her. A few days ago, it didn’t feel like it was ever going to be okay again, but I think we might be getting there.
Coffee’s still warm, so I pour myself a cup, and I don’t even notice Alex limping in until he speaks. “You hiding in here?”
“Getting my coffee in before Noah ropes me into Mario Kart.”
He snorts, leaning against the island to take pressure off his injuries. “Good luck. Little dude’s ruthless.”
“So, uh,” I start, not being able to keep my mouth shut about it any longer. “Me and Iris. We worked things out last night. We’re back together.”
“Yeah, I figured,” he says with a grin. “Judging by the stupid look on your face. And the fact that you didn’t come home last night.”
I smirk, cause I can’t help myself. “I was a little busy.”
