Page 56 of Mountain Security

I did that.

A rush of possessiveness hit her.

“’Morning,” she said.

He turned around and flashed her a wide smile. His eyes narrowed as he took in what she was wearing.

“I wanted to feed you some breakfast.”

“Wantedto?” she asked.

“Now all I want to do is take that shirt off, lift you onto the counter and spread your legs open.”

Yvette felt her flesh heat. Her breaths quickened. She wasn’t going to say no to him.

Alex shook his head, as if waking up from a dream. “No. Breakfast. That’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to make you a bacon butty jut like the ones my mother used to make me in the mornings. I would eat it as I walked to the bus.”

He walked around to the other side of the counter and handed her a cup of coffee. She smelled its fragrant scent. And then, beyond it, something else. Something smoky—

Shit.

That’s not the coffee.

“It’s burning,” Yvette said.

Alex smiled, then realized Yvette wasn’t talking in metaphors.

“Shit,” he hissed. He moved fast, removing the smoking pan from the fire, then looked sadly at the charred little strips that had once been bacon.

Yvette leaned back against the counter and took a sip of coffee. “The coffee’s good. And it’s the thought that counts,” she said, laughing.

Alex turned off the gas, looking at the defrosted bagels on the counter. He’d certainly made himself at home in her freezer.

“You like butter?” he asked.

“I’m French,” she said, looking playfully affronted. “Of course I like butter.”

She watched as he lathered butter onto each half of the bagel. She liked watching him. Even with something as simple as this, he showed complete focus.

Normally, she didn’t eat breakfast when she woke up this early. Coffee was enough for her until mid-morning, by which time her digestive system was fully awake and ready for the day ahead.

She didn’t have the heart to tell him, though.

She took a healthy bite of the bagel, chewing thoughtfully.

“I need to shower and get dressed,” she said. “I’d like to get to the office before the rest of the team gets there and see what the papers are doing with the story.”

Alex nodded.

Yvette sighed, taking another bite. “The mayor’s wife has also asked to meet with me.”

“Do you know her well?”

“Well enough that I’m not looking forward to the meeting.”

His hand grazed the back of hers. This time, the touch was comforting rather than sexual, but it still sent a rush of warmth through her.

She shook herself.

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