Page 61 of Ronan

“Of course I can,” he scoffs, and my sleepy laugh makes him grin. “Now, do you want to sleep in a pair of shorts?”

“Party pooper,” I complain before nodding, and he slides them up my body.

The sun is setting outside as he turns off the lights. It’s early to be in bed, but I can’t hold my eyes open for another minute. “Hey, Cam?” I crack one eye and glance at him as he points at the ceiling. “Fan.”

A smile spreads over my face as the cool air hits me, and my eyes close. “Best day ever.”

Chapter 19

Cameron

Consciousness finds me the next morning with a satisfied smile on my face. Ronan’s side of the bed is empty, the pillow still indented from his head, but a fresh water bottle on the nightstand shows he checked on me at least once.

He reads me like I have an instruction manual stapled to my forehead, intuitively grasping my need for time. I need space to process the intimacy we shared, and he gives it to me without question, while still silently offering support.

Quiet gestures of care show me he’s paying attention, seeing things I never once thought to tell him.

Last night was incredible. Patient and sweet, he pulled me out of my insecurities without making a big deal about them. A sappy grin pulls onto my mouth as I remember him dancing in his underwear, and I tug the covers over my head to hide the lovesick expression I’m sure is on my face.

A mouthwatering aroma of something sugary wafts into the room, and it’s a powerful motivator to leave thecomfort of the bed. Once I’ve emptied my bladder and brushed my teeth, I pull on clean jeans and a t-shirt, following my nose to the kitchen. Steam rises from the stove as Ronan, wearing only a pair of pants, twirls a spatula as he hums.

Who would’ve thought that this beefcake of a warrior was so domesticated at heart?

Sosweet?

The memory of his story, the pain of his stolen youth, aches in my chest, and I wonder what joyful, carefree person he might have become if he’d had the freedom to be loose and easy like this. If he’d been allowed to step away from the violence like his father wanted to all those years ago.

Despite decades of service, he shows no outward signs of missing the military. Or perhaps that’s just my restless heart—hoping I’m worth the sacrifice.

“You going to stare at me all morning?” he calls over his shoulder, and Boomerang perks up from her spot beside his feet. Traitor. She spends more time with him than me these days.

“I might,” I say, crossing my arms and leaning against the doorframe. “Could you blame me?”

His cheeks lift in a smile that I can see even from my place behind him. “I can put those britches back on from last night if it helps.”

Heat flushes my cheeks as I grin, dragging my palm over my face. “Britches, he says,” I mutter, laughing to myself. “Is that proper military terminology?”

“No, but it made you laugh.” He’s all smiling lips and loose posture as he walks to me, sweeping me from myspot in the door. Dipping me low, he drops a long, patient kiss on my mouth. “Good morning, handsome.”

“Morning,” I breathe, lost in a forest of his raven hair as it drapes around us, surrounded by the strength of his arms. He lifts me to my feet and places another soft peck on my lips before adjusting my glasses from where they’d slid on my nose.

He returns to the stove and leaves me among the wreckage of my dignity, shattered from swooning at a single romantic gesture. I grunt under my breath, collecting myself as I smooth the fabric of my shirt.

I’m not the type of man to get ruffled over a simple act of courtship, even from someone as impressive as Ronan.

That’s just sad.

Pathetic.

“Since we found those syrups, I thought your sweet tooth might appreciate a batch of pancakes. They’re not perfect, but I’m working with limited resources. One of these days, I’ll be able to make you the real thing.”

And there it goes. The illusion is shattered as I swoon again.

Pathetic it is.

Fluffy, steamy pancakes sit on a platter beside him as I walk over, clearing my throat to collect myself. “How are you such a good cook?”

“My dad taught me when I was younger, and it’s something the military does in rotations. Every few months, you’re put on kitchen duty, so the basics stay with you.”

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