Page 68 of Connected By Love
Max is on his kitchen stool stirring pancake mix with Sophia wearing his race car pajamas. His hair is sticking up in all directions from tossing in his sleep. She hands him the chocolate chips to pour in, popping one in his mouth first, causing him to giggle. Her hair is in a messy bun, and she has her leggings on with my t-shirt from last night. The sight of them making Sunday morning breakfast together fills another piece of my heart that was missing.
“Looks like someone is having a good time in here.” I laugh at the pancake flour mix all over the kitchen counter. Max’s hands are coated in white powder as he stirs the mix. I walk over and rub Max’s head. He grins up at me, and I chuckle when I see the powder on his cheek.
“Sophia and I are making chocolate chip pancakes! She had a sleepover with us last night, and we were extra quiet this morning, so you could sleep in.”
I look over at Sophia, and she beams at me. “Max had a little trouble opening the bag, and it busted open before I could find the scissors in the kitchen.”
I reach out and brush the flour off the tip of hernose before coming up behind her and wrapping my arms around her. “You should have woke me up. I could have helped.”
She leans her head back on my chest and smiles. “Max and I wanted to surprise you. Didn’t we, Max?”
“Uh-huh. Sophia said you don’t ever get to sleep in, and we should let you sleep.”
“Well, that’s very thoughtful of her.” I lean down and kiss her neck. “Thank you for taking care of Max this morning. It’s nice not having to do it all on my own,” I whisper in her ear.
“You’re welcome. I love doing it.” She leans her head to the side and looks up at me, grinning. “Now that you’re up…”
I laugh before she can finish the sentence. “I’ll make us some coffee.” She giggles, and I silence it with a quick kiss before walking over to the big stainless steel machine on the countertop. “What’s your plans for today?” I look over my shoulder at her.
“I have some papers to grade for tomorrow, but other than that, I don’t have anything planned.” She pours the batter into the pan on the stove while Max runs to the kitchen table where he left his cars.
“How about I drive us over to your apartment this afternoon and you can grab your work and a few things you’ll need. I know you need to get your phone, too.” I stir in a little creamer just the way she likes it before handing it to her.
She smells the coffee and sighs before taking a sip. “A few of my things?” She asks, setting the mug down before flipping the pancakes.
“Well, yeah. The bathroom drawer was just the beginning. I’ll make space for you in my dresser and closet, too. Or better yet, I’ll just buy another dresser for you.” I grin at the surprised look on her face.
“I don’t think I need a whole new dresser.” She removes the cooked pancakes and pours some more batter in.
“If you move in, you do.” Her eyes dart to mine, and I try to gauge her reaction. I remove the distance between us and run my hands up in her hair, cupping the back of her head. “I’m all in, wildcat. I know you still have a few months left on your lease, but I’ll talk to the landlord and see about getting out of it. I want you with me.” I kiss her on her neck. “Here.” I kiss her on her cheek. “In my bed, every night.” I graze her lips with mine. “I don’t want to be separated from you. You belong here. With us.” I back her up to the counter, shielding her with my body from Max as I deepen the kiss before pulling away and looking into her eyes. “Say you’ll stay.”
She nods her head slowly before a smile breaks through that gorgeous face of hers. “I’ll stay.” She shrieks when I lift her up and twirl her around. Max comes over, laughing and jumping up and down.
“Do me, Daddy!” I set Sophia down and grin like a kid who just got permission to keep his favorite toy before turning to Max and hauling him over my shoulder. I spin him as he giggles in my arms.
“Time to eat, you two,” Sophia says, laughing and grabbing the plates from the cupboard. I plop Max in his chair and help her set the table. I can’t keep the grin off my face as we have breakfast together like a family.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Sophia
I pullout some clothes from the closet to last me for the next couple of days. I’ll be going back and forth for a while until I’m all moved in. I shouldn’t be surprised that he already asked me to move in. When Travis Montgomery wants something, he gets it, and I just happen to be what he wants. I should be worried that it’s too soon or we’re moving too fast, but all I feel is peace. Peace and a deep knowing that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
Travis walks into my bedroom with another empty box that he insisted we stop and buy on the way here. He’s got a stack of them in my living room for when I’m ready to start going through things. He glances at the bookcases lining my wall that are full of books. “Do you want me to pack any books for you to take back today?”
“You may regret asking me to move in. Your house is going to become a library,” I laugh. I own a Kindle, but I always end up buying the actual book instead. I love the smell of a book and the way it feels in my hands…I love everything about them.
“I love that you love to read. It’s something you can do nextto me while I’m drawing.” I smile at the thought of reading on the window seat in his studio, curled up with a book while he works on his art.
“I just need the ones on my nightstand for now. We can get the others later.” He walks over and packs the books next to my bed while I fold my clothes and put them in my bag. I hear him chuckle and I look up to him holding my pink vibrator in his hand. “Are you snooping?” I can’t help the grin that escapes.
“Definitely. So this is what I was competing against?” He asks.
“You may be bigger, but it gets the job done,” I laugh.
“I’m definitely bigger, and I know I can get the job done better. It’s going with us.” He throws it in the box and grins.
“I thought you didn’t want me pleasing myself?”
