Page 134 of A Little Broken

“Morning.”

He sets the tray on the nightstand, then grabs one of the coffee cups, offering it to me. The sheets pool at my waist as I sit up and take the dark blue mug from him, breathing in the mouth-watering, nutty aroma before taking a small sip. “Mmm.”

With a soft smile, he adds, “Glad you like it.” Holding the second cup to his chest, he sits beside my hip on the edge of the mattress. “How’d you sleep?” he asks.

“Good. You?”

He smiles. “Really good.”

“Thanks for the coffee.” I glance at the tray. “And breakfast.”

“Anytime.”

Sucking my top lip between my teeth, I go in for another sip of coffee, unsure what to say or do. I’ve never been in this position. I’ve always been up and out of there before the other person has had a chance to wake up, and that’sifI passed out in the bed after sex in the first place. This? Coffee and talking and post orgasmic glow-esque vibes? It’s…I don’t even know. Do I ask what he’s doing today? If he can give me a ride home? Do I assume he wants me to stay and hang out? I don’t know!

“Hey.” He taps my outer thigh with the back of his hand. “You good?”

“Yup.”

He smirks. “You sure? ‘Cause you look like you’re two seconds away from having a panic attack.”

Forcing my muscles to relax, I drag my thumbs across the side of the faded logo on the coffee mug. “I’m good. Only…trying to figure out what happens next now that I’ve slept over and…everything.”

“Me, too,” he admits.

My eyes widen. “You’re saying you’re not a seasoned pro at this?”

His low chuckle makes my stomach flip as he shakes his head. “Don’t get me wrong. I know I’m good at faking like I know what I’m doing. But this is my first time, too. Liking someone.” He drops his voice low and leans closer like it’s our little secret. The fact that he likes me. That this is his first time wadingthrough the waters of a fresh relationship. And even though I’m flattered, I’m surprised, too.

My brows tug down in the center as I peek up at him over the rim of my cup. “You’re telling me you’ve never had a girlfriend or anything?”

“Are you insinuating you’re my girlfriend?” he volleys.

Panic swells inside of me, and I rush out, “No, no, no, that’s not?—”

“Kidding,” he laughs. “And, no. No girlfriends. A few casual, consistent hookups, but it was all physical.”

Physical.

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from asking what this is then. If it’s different. If it’s more than physical for him, too, even though I have a feeling I already know the answer.

“Do you…” I steal a piece of toast with jam from the nightstand and take a bite, chewing slowly as he watches me.

“Do I…?”

Swallowing, I force out, “Do you have any plans today?”

He nods. “Sparring session with one of Judge’s nephews.”

“Oh.” I take another bite, trying to imagine it. Pax going toe-to-toe with another human being under the guise of a good workout and a solid way to let off steam. Weird. But I guess I can’t I give him crap about his coping mechanisms when mine have always been less than stellar. “That sounds…fun?” I question.

With a laugh, he returns, “It is fun, actually. Do you wanna come?”

I stay quiet, unsure what to say.

Sensing my hesitancy, he explains, “Last time I mentioned it, you said the idea of me fighting is kind of hot. I’m happy to give you a front-row seat if you’re interested.”

I take another sip of coffee, considering the invitation. Part of me wants to say yes, but I also don’t want to look needy or clingy or…I don’t even know.

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