Page 42 of Accidentally Yours
Wait. Is it morning? Am I still at Ethan’s?
A sharp jolt of panic hit her chest, and she shifted slightly, becoming aware of the plush rug beneath her as she realized two things—
One, she was still in Ethan’s office.Two, she was spooning Queenie, who was snoring like a tiny chainsaw.
Paige sighed, disoriented, but . . . peaceful.
She sank back against the pillow—where had that come from?—and tugged Ethan’s hoodie tighter around her, curling her fingers instinctively into the sleeves. It was warm, worn-in, and smelled like him. Cedar. Spice. Something woodsy and adventurous. A scent she wasn’t sure she could ever get enough of.
Paige smiled to herself.
She must’ve dozed off sometime between her third glass of wine and passionately debating the alien origins of the pyramids. She couldn’t remember who won. They’d have to pick that one up again later.
Around her, the room was still. The corner bookshelf was nearly empty, its contents strewn around the room in haphazard piles. A crumpled chip bag lay abandoned on the rug. The last time she looked at the clock it was almost two a.m. When was the last time she’d stayed up that late?
From somewhere toward the front of the condo came the faint clink of dishes. A few moments later, footsteps.
When Ethan appeared, carrying a serving tray, she abruptly propped herself up on an elbow, forgetting she was curled around a sleeping pup. Queenie woke, giving Paige a deeply offended side-eye. Paige offered a sheepish shrug, but the sight of Ethan required her full attention.
Standing in the doorway, bathed in soft morning light, his hair was rumpled in the most unfairly attractive way. His wrinkled T-shirt hung just so over his low-slung gray sweatpants. And the smile he gave her made her heart do something it absolutely should not do.
Was she dreaming?
“Morning,” he said, his voice low and scratchy, confirming he was real.
“Hey,” she replied, rubbing sleep from her eyes as she sat up. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to zonk out in your office.”
“Me, either.” He grinned and crouched beside her, balancing the full serving tray. “I haven’t slept on the floor since middle school slumber parties. I also didn’t realize how comfortable this rug is.”
“It really is.” Paige ran a hand over the plush pile, sitting with the knowledge that they’d slept here, in the office . . . together.
He set the serving tray on the floor and sat next to her. “I woke up at some point and got us pillows. Didn’t want to risk neck injuries.”
She gave him a grateful smile. “I appreciate that.” Paige ran a hand over the back of her neck and then her hair, combing through wild curls, hoping she didn’t look like a Brillo pad.
“I was going to order you a car service to take you home, but you looked so comfortable. And Queenie had clearly claimed you.” He nodded toward the pup, who had already curled up again, tucked tight against Paige’s thigh in a puppy donut.
“She’s an excellent little spoon.” Paige grinned at Queenie. “Which works, because I like being the big spoon.”
“Good to know,” Ethan replied, catching her off guard. Her gaze jerked to his, and heat crept through her chest as she pictured cuddling with Ethan. And how much she’d like that. She might even allow him to be the big spoon. Maybe.
Clearing his throat, Ethan angled the tray toward her. “I wasn’t sure what you liked in the morning . . . so I made a few options. Coffee. A latte. Hot water, in case you wanted tea.”
Paige blinked at the offering. Steaming mugs, set alongside a pot of cream and sugar, and a row of tea bags neatly lined up. “That’s so thoughtful.”
“In the morning, I’m a coffee with cream and sugar guy,” he said, and she mentally took note.
“I usually am, too, but that latte looks delicious.”
“Handmade. Barista Ethan at your service.” He offered her the mug and their fingers brushed. The spark was immediate. Warm. Familiar. “I hope you like it.”
“Thanks,” she murmured, curling her hands around the mug, letting the warmth seep into her fingers. She took a sip, closing her eyes for a beat, savoring the sweet foam. She licked her lips, and when she opened her eyes, Ethan was watching her.
“Good?” he asked.
“Perfect.” She pressed her lips together, and his gaze dipped to the hoodie which hung on her frame. He smiled faintly.
“Looks better on you than it ever did on me.”
