Page 135 of By His Vow

The second I’ve drained the glass, I slam it on the counter before staring him dead in the eye and licking my lips.

“Coffee, please,” I say in the sweetest voice I’m capable of while forcing a smile onto my lips.

“Of course, baby,” he teases before turning around to the coffee machine, popping a pod in and hitting the start button.

The scent of rich coffee fills the air and my mouth waters.

Now that’s how you start the day.

“Hungry?” Kingston asks after delivering my mug of liquid gold.

“Uh…yeah, I guess.”

He quirks a brow.

“You need to start taking better care of yourself, Tatum.”

“I go to the gym.” I scoff. I also eat a lot of chocolate, cake, and drink way too much coffee and alcohol, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“Looking after yourself is more than just working out. It’s about what you put inside your body.”

“If only,” I mutter, earning a heated glare from Kingston.

“Are you really bitching at me for doing the right thing?” he asks incredulously.

“We’re not discussing this,” I snap.

“You started it.”

“How very mature of you.”

Both of his brows lift this time.

“What are you feeding me? Rabbit food?” I guess.

He shakes his head and turns away from me as I sip my coffee.

To my surprise, he pulls a jug of batter from the fridge and sets it beside a frying pan.

Next comes bacon, then eggs, and mushrooms.

Okay, maybe I can work with this.

The scent of frying bacon fills the air and my mouth waters while my stomach grumbles.

The meal we had at the gala last night was incredible, but the portion sizes were on the small side.

I watch him work in silence, and before long, he slides a plate full of freshly made pancakes, bacon, eggs, and mushrooms toward me.

“Eat up; you’re going to need the energy for what I’ve got planned.”

I don’t say anything despite the many responses that dance on the tip of my tongue.

He waits for it, but when no words pass my lips, he takes a seat beside me at the island and starts on his breakfast.

The silence isn’t uncomfortable, per se. But it’s not entirely comfortable either.

We’re both on edge, and there’s a very heavy sexual tension hanging around us.

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