Page 42 of Obeying the Owner

He gently squeezes my shoulders. “Mae, please don’t go. I’ll worry about you.”

I’m struck by the imploring expression on his face, and I can’t refuse him. “Okay, I’ll stay for a few more hours.”

“Thank you.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Go get in my bed, and I’ll shut everything off in here.

Despite the solid hours of sleep I got in his arms, I’m still tired. I strip out of everything but my panties, and put on one of his t-shirts. It hangs so loose, the hem falls to mid-thigh. The cotton is worn soft, and knowing I’m wearing something of James’s feels nice.

Once I slip between the crisp sheets, I realize I’ve never been so comfortable in a bed. That is until James slides in behind me. His arms hook around me like bands of steel. He pulls me back against his chest as if he’s never going to let me go. And I might be okay with that. I sync my breathing with his and enjoy the way our bodies fit together. He kisses the top of my head, and I fall asleep with a content smile bowing my lips.

* * *

Warm lips press to my cheek and trail down my neck. “It’s time to rise, Sunshine.”

“No,” I moan. “Don’t make me.”

He chuckles. “If you want to stay in bed I can climb back in and give you a reason to be late.” His lips nuzzle my earlobe, tempting me, but he said the magic word. Late. I roll away and dart from the bed. “What time is it?” I ask in a panic.

He smiles. “It’s five thirty.”

I sigh with relief, feeling the tension in my shoulders lessening. “Oh, thank God. I thought it was much later.”

“You’re right on schedule, Miss Punctuality, and breakfast is waiting for you downstairs.”

“You cooked for me?” I can’t keep the surprise from my voice. No man has ever done that for me before.

“I did. It’s nothing fancy, but it’ll save you some time.” He winks. “I’ll be downstairs waiting.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there.”

He leaves the room while I dress. I use his bathroom and scare myself when I catch my reflection in the mirror. Smudged makeup and a bird’s nest for hair—not my best look. And James saw me like this.

Wetting a tissue, I wipe around my eyes the best I can. Once I work through the tangles in my hair with his brush, I look more like myself. I add some toothpaste to my finger and spread it over my teeth and tongue before swishing it out with a cup of water.

I return to James’s dad cave where I left my Chucks, and slip them on. My gaze lands on the couch where I woke cuddled in his arms, and flutters break free in my stomach. I wish I’d been able to savor the feeling more and not be so freaked out at how late it was.

I find James in the kitchen, loading the dishwasher. He closes the door and turns, smiling at me. “You look more awake now.”

“Yeah, I am. I’m sorry you had to see me looking like such a fright.”

“Sunshine, you couldn’t look anything but beautiful.”

He thinks I’m beautiful.

More butterflies take flight in my stomach.

He moves to the stove. With his back to me, I can’t see what he’s doing. But then he spins around with two plates in his hands and delivers them to the table. “Come sit and have breakfast with me.”

We settle into the same chairs we used for last night’s dinner. On the table, there’s a cup of coffee, creamer, and packets of sugar.

“If you don’t like coffee, there’s juice in the fridge,” he tells me.

“I love it and desperately need it in the morning just to wake me up.” I take a good look at the breakfast he’s prepared and know there’s no way I’ll be able to eat all the food. “You gave me enough for three people. Are you trying to tell me something?”

Ducking his head, he rubs the back of his neck. “I wasn’t sure how much you wanted. I guess I got carried away.”

This is the first time I’ve seen him look the slightest bit unsure of himself, and I find it endearing.

I take a bite of the scrambled eggs and bacon. “Wow, this is delicious. You’re a good cook.”

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