Page 75 of Foreplay on Words

I hoped the smells from the kitchen would wake her up, but maybe I’d have to do that myself after I finished cooking. My concentration as I watched the bubbles form on the pancakes—their popping indicating it was time to flip—must have distracted me.

Thwack.

The moan that tore out of me with the impact of the wooden spoon against the back of my thigh was surprisingly loud. “Fuck!”

Chase was standing behind me when I turned with an eyebrow raised, wearing a thin satin nightgown that reached mid-thigh. “Someone is being sneaky this morning.”

“Yeah, I didn’t even hear you,” I laughed as she tapped the wooden spoon in her palm and ran her eyes down the length of my almost nude body. The predatory look in her eyes stirred things to life behind my apron, and I had to back up a step to keep my erection from jutting into the front of the cabinets.

“You’re gonna burn,” she said urgently, and I narrowed my eyes, not understanding what she was saying. “The pancakes, genius. You’re gonna burn the pancakes.”

“Oh, shit.” I quickly refocused and flipped them over.

She stepped in behind me and ran her hands along my back, causing goosebumps to emerge.

“I could get used to this,” she cooed as her hands roamed my exposed skin.

“Me naked or the pancakes?” I asked her with a smile over my shoulder.

“You’re not entirely naked...” she teased. “But pretty much the pancakes.”

“Glad I could be of service,” I replied sarcastically.

“Decent service would involve a drink too, just saying,” she laughed.

“There’s coffee on the counter.” Her eyes followed as I pointed at the paper carrier on the countertop, turning back around to keep an eye on the stovetop.

“Oh, I love you...” she cooed.

Did she really...?

When I turned around, she held the caramel latte up to her face and inhaled it with her eyes closed.

Oh...she loved the coffee. Of course.

“Do I need to give you two some privacy?” I smiled as she took a big gulp and cradled the cup to her chest.

“It’s fine. We don’t mind an audience,” she winked.

My ego was only a little bruised as I shook my head and refocused on bringing all the bowls of fillings for the omelets to the counter by the stove. “Anything you don’t want in your omelet?”

“I’ve told you before that I’d put just about anything in my mouth.”

“Cheeky,” I smiled as I looked at her over my shoulder.

“No. I think you’re the cheeky one,” she laughed as she leaned across the counter to poke me in the butt with her long wooden paddling instrument.

“Touché,” I nodded.

“It is a ‘touché’ as well,” she laughed, pronouncing it like ‘tooshie.’ Obviously, she was in a playful mood today. It was probably better to start that way. It helped keep our minds off what would happen at Em’s studio later.

“You’re taking a page out of Adrian’s book today with all the dad jokes.”

“His jokes aren’t dad jokes. They’re just bad jokes.” She gave an exaggerated eye roll.

“Obviously, there’s no love lost between you two.”

“He’s an asshat.”

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