Page 45 of Cider
He froze, his hands on my stomach. “Cid?”
“You heard me.” I tilted my head forward, getting my hair wet.
Billy turned me, keeping me from slipping, and his lips crashed into mine. His teeth bit down on my lower lip, sucking on it.
I whimpered as I clutched his forearms. He didn’t let me up for air until I almost passed out. He’d just about kissed me unconscious. His arms were the only thing keeping me upright.
“I love you, too.” His voice was raspy with emotion. “I can’t believe how fast I’ve fallen for you, but I have.”
I ran my hand along his jaw. “Billy,” I paused when the bathroom door opened again. Titus leaned against the doorframe.
“Now this is a beautiful sight to wake up to.” His arms were crossed over his chest in a tantalizing view. “As much as I would like to continue watching, Cider, you’re going to be late for work, are you not?”
I blinked. “My alarm just went off. I should still have an hour or so.”
“That was your third alarm.” His amusement was palpable. He laughed as I cursed loudly.
“One of these days I’ll not have to scramble!” Shampoo and conditioner took an extra few minutes while Billy stepped out of the shower to give me the space I needed.
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Billy chuckled as he wrapped a towel around his waist. “I’ll make a quick breakfast.” He pushed Titus out of the doorway and they left me to the rest of my shower.
Jack was still asleep when I came out of the shower. He looked peaceful. I didn’t want to wake him.
Yet, if I had to work, so did he.
With a quick jump, I pounced on top of him. “Wake up, sleeping beauty!” My hands bounced on his chest a few times as he grunted.
“Ah!” He sputtered. “Cider!” He groaned, rubbing his head. “Why?”
“We have to go to work.” With a roll, I was off the bed and searching for something to wear. “No sleep for you!”
“I’m already late.” Jack pulled the comforter over his head after looking at the clock. “Five more minutes won’t make a big difference.”
Shaking my head, I finished dressing. I pulled on my favorite sweater for a boost in confidence that I knew I’d need come closing time.
“You must be really tired. Missing me being naked and jumping on you.” I yanked the comforter off the bed with a cackle of glee. “Up! Up! Billy made breakfast we can eat on the go!”
Jack’s messy hair stood up on end as he glared over his shoulder at me. “Payback. Woman, there will be payback.”
Snorting, I placed the comforter on the end of the bed. “Promises, promises.” Leaning forward, I gave his ass a quick smack and ran out of the room laughing to his curses.
Billy was plating scrambled eggs as I skidded into the kitchen. He still wore a towel around his waist and his hair was wet. Can I just say yum? His chest hair was so enticing as it led the eyes downward.
“Up here.” Billy flicked my nose gently. “None of that until later tonight. I’m only working a half day today, so I can be there when you close up.” He passed me a plate with eggs with salt, toast on the side, and the ketchup bottle.
Egg sandwich with ketchup. Perfect. Tasty and easy to eat. I was scooping up the eggs with my fingers onto a piece of the toast when Titus came inside from the front door. He paused when he saw me, his eyes intent on my fingers.
“Cider,” his voice was velvety smooth. “Why aren’t you using utensils? We don’t play with our food.” There was a tiny tick in his jaw.
Huh. What do you know? My vampire mate had a pet peeve. Oh, how I would use that, and as often as I could. I should be annoyed with him, but the knowledge it bugged him was worth it.
I offered him a shrug, feigning innocence. “Billy didn’t give me a spoon to use with it.”
“Hey! Don’t blame your heathenness on me!” Billy laughed. He knew how my mind worked. He was well aware that I was already plotting to annoy the hell out of Titus.
I shook the ketchup up, squirting it on the eggs. Titus’ nose wrinkled a little and I fought not to laugh. He didn’t say anything though.
“This is one of my all time favorite things. Thank you, Billy.” I took a very large bite of the egg sandwich, making sure the ketchup pushed over the sides a little bit.
