by Rae, Alicia
“Now that I’m cooking for two…” He lifted a butter knife off the counter and cut the omelet in half. Then, he separated the two paper plates and tipped half of the omelet onto the opposing one. “I used a bigger pan, so we can share it…and we’re eating on disposable plates, so we have less dishes to wash,” he finished. His eyes glowed with satisfaction.
My heart swelled in my chest before melting into a puddle at his sweet gesture. I tilted my head back to look up into his stunning brownish-green eyes, and I curled my finger in a cute get-over-here motion.
He bent forward, rested his elbows on the counter, and brought his face within inches of mine. “Yes?” he said in a low tone. A small dimple formed at the corner of his mouth.
I leaned forward, balancing my feet on the lower rung of the bar stool, and I kissed him gently. This one was soft and sweet. As we parted, I breathed, “Thank you.”
Kyle smiled, that glow of his reaching his eyes. “Anything for you, beautiful girl.” He shifted over slightly on the counter and reached for a fork. When he poked it into his omelet, his eyes lit up with playfulness, and then he popped the piece into his mouth. “You came in just in time. I was just about to interrupt your snoring and wake you up.”
I gasped and playfully nudged him on his shoulder with my hand. “Way to ruin a perfect moment!” I shook my head. “And here I thought you were a gentleman.”
Kyle chuckled from deep in his throat. “Oh, I am a gentleman, beautiful, and I plan to show you just how much later on tonight. But until then”—he grinned—“we each have a job calling our names.”
“True.” I sighed softly while running my to-do list through my head. My mind was still reeling with all my thoughts from my shower. The ideas were begging to be put on paper. I was eager to start writing again. “Are you still working from home today?”
He nodded. “Yes, I’m going to finish up my paperwork from yesterday and then make some phone calls.”
“Okay,” I replied before taking a bite of the omelet he had made for me. It was cooked to perfection.
Kyle grabbed his plate and came over to sit next to me on the other bar stool. Then, he quickly began devouring his omelet. We quietly ate next to one another until we were finished. I stood with my plate and reached for Kyle’s.
He tilted his head at me with humor in his eyes. “Lily, I can clear my own plate.”
I motioned for him to hand me his plate. “I know, but you cooked, so I’ll clean up,” I said, wanting to be a team.
“Alright, thank you,” he said kindly with his eyes still on me.
It looked as if he was processing having me here in his space.
“You know, one of these days, you’re going to have to get used to having a woman in your kitchen,” I teased gently.
His eyes danced with humor. “I will someday.”
He watched me make my way around the kitchen that was beginning to feel familiar to me.
“Right now though, you being here…is still so new. And I must say, I’m enjoying the view,” Kyle said in a more serious tone while rising to his feet. He strode over and stopped directly behind me, putting his hands on my waist. He leaned forward and ran his nose up the length of my throat before pausing below my ear. “I just don’t want to wake up one day and realize it was all a dream.”
“It’s not a dream,” I said.
I closed my eyes as he placed affectionate kisses down my neck. His warm breath on me seemed to put my whole body at ease.
“It still feels that way,” he admitted quietly.
I spun in his arms until we were face-to-face. As I looked into his eyes, I noticed a little worry in them. What is he so anxious about?
He looked as though me being here was too good to be true or like I was going to run for the hills. I wanted to ease his anxiety. With one hand on his shoulder, I lifted the other to caress his face softly. He closed his eyes to absorb my touch as I felt his morning stubble brush across the palm of my hand.
“What are you so afraid of?” I asked bravely.
Kyle’s eyes opened wide. He parted his lips to speak but then hesitated.
“You can tell me anything, Kyle,” I reassured him. Deep in the pit of my stomach, I could feel he was hiding something from me.
“Telling you isn’t the problem, Lily.” His voice was low and unsure. “The fact that I don’t know how you’ll react is what terrifies me.”
I recalled our date at my childhood home in Colorado. He had surprised me with an elaborate setup in my backyard.
While we had been sitting next to the bonfire, he had pressed his forehead against mine as he’d said, You saved me, too, you know…in more ways than one.
I wanted to comfort him and tell him that nothing would change my mind, nothing would change my love for him, nothing could ever come between us. “Do you remember when you asked me what the birds on my back meant?” I asked softly.
Kyle slowly nodded once, probably gauging where I was going with this conversation.
“In three years, I never told anyone what those birds stood for, not even my two best friends. Some would say that it was wrong to keep my friends in the dark, but I knew that I needed to have their honest friendship. I didn’t want to see their sadness for me. I wanted them to bring me into the light, to make me forget. And by doing that, I was avoiding it. It took me three long years to figure that out,” I said while searching his eyes.
He looked torn.
“Until I met you, and you changed my whole world, turning it upside down. I had faith in you, Kyle, from day one. You brought me out of that darkness, showed me how to live again, and opened my eyes to the world around me.” I paused, stroking the back of my hand down his cheek. “You could have walked away so many times, not wanting to deal with my past, but you didn’t. Why ever would you think that I would leave you after all you did for me?”
Kyle lowered his forehead against mine. “Because you are so kind,” he said, lifting his head to tenderly kiss my brow, “and loving and good.”
Does he think he’s not all of those things, too? I slightly shook my head from side to side. “You are kind and loving and good, too, Kyle, and so much more.” I looked deep into his eyes, willing him to believe me, as I desperately tried to figure out why he had such self-doubt. It was so unlike him. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.”
It was Kyle’s turn to shake his head in denial. “No, Lily,” he said, cupping my chin. “You did that all on your own.”
I wordlessly raised my brow at the stubborn man in front of me, and he chuckled quietly.
“Okay, I might have pushed you a little,” he admitted.
“A little?” I teased, trying to lighten his mood.
“Yep, just a little.” He laughed. “Alright, beautiful, no more distractions. Off to work you go. I don’t want to be responsible for delaying your book and having angry readers knocking down my door.”
“True.” I laughed, knowing how much I loved to read myself. “Never get in between a girl and her novels.”
After a quick kiss good-bye, Kyle made his way into his office to work while I started hunting down a new writing spot. I remembered Kyle had told me there was a loft with a bay window above the garage. It sounded like the perfect spot to write, so I quickly grabbed my laptop and headed that way. Walking into the room, I was stunned.
Oh my, is it perfect. It is every writer’s dream.
The large window was centered on the south wall of the home, perfectly designed to overlook his backyard and the lake. The bench connected to the window was covered by one long cream-colored cushion with a wide variety of fluffy pillows and a brown blanket. Abstract art, all colorful and bright, were displayed on the earth-toned walls.
This room is definitely my new writing cave.
After I arranged the pillows on the windowsill, I covered my legs with the blanket and opened my laptop. I wanted to squeal with excitement when my Word document opened. I was fired up and ready to go.
&nb
sp; My fingers hit the keys endlessly as my characters’ love story flowed effortlessly through my mind and onto the screen. This couple in my story had been through so much heartache, so they deserved a happily ever after. I planned to deliver that one hundred and ten percent.
An hour and a half later, a tear ran down my cheek as I typed The End. I let out a content sigh as I moved on to the epilogue.
Just as I started to type, I heard Kyle’s footsteps enter the room.
“I thought I might find you in here,” he said, striding over to me. He sat on the couch that faced the windowsill where I was sitting.
I glanced over at him with a smile, my eyes beaming. “I love this room.”
Kyle laughed softly. “I hoped you would,” he said while looking around. “I didn’t even know you when I designed it…yet somehow, it seems to fit you so well.”
“It does.” I nodded while letting my gaze wander around the room. “I don’t think it could be any more perfect.” My eyes glued themselves to his gorgeous smile.
“I’m glad you approve.” He grinned. “Remodeling is expensive.”
“I can imagine,” I said before letting out a loud laugh. I turned off my laptop and set it down on the bench. Then, my attention shifted to the room once more as I began feeling playful. “Although”—I sighed, putting on my best poker face—“now that you mention it, the color in this room is all wrong. And that couch,” I teased, pointing to it, “is butt ugly.”
“Oh, it is, is it?” Kyle said, his eyes darkening with want by the second. He stood, prowling closer. “Then, I guess I’ll have to teach my girl how to remodel then.” He paused while his heated eyes roamed over my body. “I can envision you painting in old, raggedy clothes. Then, you’d take a hot shower, and I’d have to scrub the paint remnants off every inch of your body.”
I jokingly shook my head.
“And we can start practicing the shower part…right now,” he said in a rough voice as he took a step closer.
“Oh no!” I screeched, jumping to my feet. “I already had a shower!”
Kyle grabbed me before I could escape, and he threw me over his shoulder with ease. I yelped, and he chuckled mischievously.
“Quiet,” he joked, lightly slapping my ass with one hand while holding me in place with the other. “You picked on my house, and now, you’re gonna pay the price.”
Shit. Hot, sexy alpha is back with a vengeance.
“I take it back!”
I laughed while squeezing his firm ass as he carried me down the stairs.
He made his way in the direction of the bedroom. Once there, he headed into the bathroom. He set me on the counter, and my hands grasped his shoulders.
“Too late for that, beautiful.”
I lowered my hands, stroking them down his chest, feeling every hard plane of muscle underneath my palms. My body felt so attuned to his, and my desire for him washed over me. A playful growl erupted from his center as I met his gaze. His eyes were keen and hot. He was ready to devour me.
Kyle gripped my hips and brought my core flush against him. Even through the thickness of our clothes, his erection pressed along my sex. I let out a breath of pleasure, yearning for him to strip me naked and take me against the shower wall.
His hands came to either of my sides as he lifted the hem of my shirt before tossing it without a backward glance. I rid him of his own T-shirt, wanting to feel his bare skin under my palms. He firmly cupped my breasts in his hands, kneading them, while his eyes burned into mine. It made my pulse beat wickedly. I arched forward into his touch and sighed in pure bliss, allowing the intense currents to flow throughout my body.
Kyle lowered his head, taking my lips in a passionate kiss. Lifting my hands, I ran my fingers through his hair and tugged him closer. His insistent lips demanded and took, yet they gave so much in return. My hands lowered to his belt buckle, and I yanked it open before pushing his jeans down his legs and to the floor.
We parted, both heaving for air. He shifted back fractionally to step out of his pants. Then, stepping near me once again, he unbuttoned my jeans. Before I could stand, his hands grasped either side of my waist, and he lifted me off the counter. He set me on my feet, dropped to his knees, and removed my pants quickly.
Our eyes met, making my heart skip a beat. His hands came around each side of my calves. Oh-so slowly, he trailed his fingertips up the backs of my knees, grazing my skin with the slightest contact.
“Every inch of you is absolutely stunning, Lily,” he said, his voice roughened with need.
My only coherent response was to moan softly.
When he reached the backs of my thighs, I quivered as a sensational tremor ran up my spine and outstretched all the way to my breasts. Sparks ignited in my belly, shooting straight down to my sex.
My breath caught as his hands gripped my behind, and he gently tugged me forward. His tongue licked my sex and then slowly made its way up to my clit before making a deliberate circle, once and again. I closed my eyes, absorbing the sensations of his mouth against me. My body was overwhelmed with persistent hums of desire pulling me in so many different directions.
His fingers disappeared inside me, working in a rhythm that matched the strokes of his tongue. I braced my hands on his shoulders, like a lifeline for balance, feeling as if my knees might buckle from the intensity of my arousal. With one last flick of his tongue across my delicate clit, light exploded behind my eyes, and I cried out my release.
Kyle stood abruptly and picked me up in one swift motion. I instantly wrapped my arms and legs around him, expecting him to carry me into the shower. However, he set me back on the counter.
“That was so fucking hot, Lily,” he said in a raw tone. His eyes were filled with an even mixture of love and lust. “I can’t wait. I need to be inside you now.” He reached between us, gripping his length, and he sank into me in one measured long thrust.
His groan of approval sent my inner muscles tingling all over again. I tightened my hold around his nape as he began to increase his pace. He firmly held on to me at the backs of my thighs to keep me in place. I tilted my head up while constricting my arms to pull his head lower, and I kissed him with a prolonged sense of hunger.
My release was imminent, building with every movement of his hips. I clenched around him, wanting him to go over the edge with me.
“Lily…” he groaned in a possessive tone as he came inside me.
My name leaving his lips was all it took, and I came with him.
With his head cradled against my neck, we caught our breaths as his thumbs affectionately ran back and forth along the skin of my thighs. He shifted and kissed my nape before leaning back and withdrawing his now semisoft erection out of me. The movement was surprisingly erotic as we both watched. Our gazes met, and Kyle grinned shyly.
“Still want to take a shower with me?” he asked hopefully.
“Like I’d turn down a chance to shower with your naked body,” I said, returning his grin. “Of course, I’ll wash you.”
Kyle chuckled as he stepped forward. He kissed me once and then lifted me off the counter to set me on my feet. He wrapped his hand around mine and guided me to the shower.
I couldn’t help but feel loved in every possible way.
After we showered and ate dinner, we sat in the living room with Harley sleeping in front of the couch. We watched a small portion of the news before flipping the channel to catch an old episode of Friends, which was one of my favorite TV shows. Knowing we both had another day of work tomorrow, we headed off to bed shortly after the episode was over.
Once I lay down, I turned over to face Kyle in the darkness. His arm automatically wrapped around my waist, and he drew me closer. I loved that he seemed to feel the same way I did about snuggling.
His hand leisurely made small soothing circles on the small of my back. “Will you be okay by yourself tomorrow if I head into work?” he asked in a quiet tone.
I could hear the tiredness in his voice.
<
br /> I yawned softly and then chuckled. “Of course.”
He gently kissed me once and then murmured, “Okay. Good night, Lily.”
“Good night, Kyle,” I replied sleepily while embraced in his arms.
As I turned onto my side, loud snoring awakened me. I opened my eyes to see Harley snuggling next to me. As the haze cleared my mind, I vaguely remembered Kyle kissing me good-bye and then chuckling at my incoherent sleepy state.
I pet Harley gently, waking him. “Guess it’s just you and me today.”
He wagged his tail in response.
After getting out of bed and showering, I dressed for the day, and then I headed into the kitchen to make myself a quick breakfast. My eyes immediately zoned in on the flowers in the center of the kitchen counter.
Butterflies fluttered in my belly as I picked up the note in front of the vase. He hadn’t left me flowers since we were in Florida. It was probably because we had been together every day since then.
I let out a dreamy sigh, loving him even more. I hoped he knew how much I adored his notes and sincere words. Especially being a writer and all, they held a special place in my heart. With his note still in my hand, I went into the bedroom to grab my phone, so I could send Kyle a text.
Thank you for the lovely flowers. Hope you have a great day. XOXO.
He replied by the time I walked back into the kitchen.
You are most welcome, beautiful girl of mine. Should be home at five. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX <-- Giving you more kisses and hugs. ;)
Shaking my head with a huge smile on my face, I laughed at all of his hugs and kisses, and I tucked the note into my back pocket. Then, I strode over to where the bread was sitting on the counter. I quickly made myself some toast, grabbed a banana, and began my journey upstairs to the loft with Harley following my path. I smiled back fondly at him. He was such a loyal dog.
After I finished my breakfast, I went right to work. I only had to write the epilogue today. The scenes played out in my mind just as I had foreseen. I added details here and there, wanting the readers to feel the couple’s surroundings.