Page 47 of Wanted

I turn my chin to my shoulder. “Are you arguing with your boss?”

I bite back a grin when her confusion transforms into something heated. I’d bet money there’s an argument on the tip of her tongue. Something flares to life beneath my skin. Something that feels like… fun.

Her glare melts when an eager puppy pounces into her lap.

“I wouldn’t dare. In fact, maybe I could fetch you a coffee while you’re hard at work. Do you have any dry-cleaning I could pick up while I’m at it?” she bats her eyelashes.

12

Frankie

Jude’s steps crash down the stairs early on Thursday morning, but I’m more than prepared this time. If he thinks a little intimidation will get me to back off, he’s in for a rude awakening. I went all out this morning with a buffet spread after I noticed some of the leftovers from the past few days went missing from the fridge.

He might refuse to eat my breakfast while it’s hot, but his appetite eventually overpowers his resistance. The evidence points at him sneaking a plate when he knows I’m not around.

I fidget with the corner of a square plate of fruit. The berries looked perfectly ripe, and when added to the pineapple I diced yesterday, their luscious color paints a tempting picture. A plate of divided into sausage links and bacon strips sends tendrils of steam curling into the air.

I also got up extra early to bake my favorite breakfast ever—a quiche. An elderly neighbor taught me the recipe when I was in high school. I used to make one on Sunday night to eat for breakfast every morning before school. The ingredients were fairly cheap, and it beat eating cold cereal.

His footsteps stop short of the kitchen entry. I strain to hear his movements. This is a routine of his that I’ve picked up on. The way he pauses before coming into a room. This ritual is at odds with the confidence he normally exudes. I watch the opening, waiting for him to appear.

“Morning,” he grunts, clearly resigned to finding me up cooking. The sleepy rasp in his voice sends tingles up my spine.

I try not to stare too long, but it’s hard when he comes down dressed in his pajamas. He gave up slipping on his jeans after the first day. The soft-looking cotton pants hang low from his hips, drawing my gaze.

“Good morning,” I greet his lower half.

Oh God, is he hard? Those sweatpants are doing the Lord’s work this morning highlighting his package. Generous, if the bulge is anything to judge by. He’s either sporting the remnants of morning wood or he’s just that big. Not that I would have anything else to compare it to. I’ve never seen a penis that wasn’t encased in fabric on the front of a men’s underwear package.

For Christ’s sake, Frankie, stop looking at his junk.

“What’s for breakfast?”

His gravelly voice draws my eyes upward, but not before I trace a slow path up his cotton-covered torso. The hem rises just enough to peek at his abs as he rubs his eyes and reaches back to scratch his neck.

My cheeks flush in embarrassment. If he caught my ogling, I’d never be able to face him again. I’d have to leave town. Maybe even the state.

So flustered by my peeping, I hardly notice his amenable question regarding my breakfast spread. I wave my hands chaotically over the plates in front of us.

“Help yourself,” I blurt.

We both watch his hands as he piles his plate. “Thanks.”

The tiny crack in his defenses feels like a major win this morning. If he’s stopped fighting this, I wonder what else he’s willing to compromise on.

I expect him to take his food and dash, so my jaw nearly falls open when he leans his hip against the counter and settles in. He holds the plate at chest level and digs into my perfect quiche.

Are we… Are we having breakfast together?

What is going on?

The uncertainty spurs my pulse into chaotic beats.

Not wanting to disturb the newfound peace, I quietly pick up the second dish and serve myself a moderate helping. Mine is about half the size of Jude’s plate, but still plenty of food.

I set my breakfast on the island and pop a blueberry into my mouth.

“’S good.” He swallows and dives back in.

---