Page 137 of Fostering Chemistry
He laughed softly, holding me closer. “And I definitely like where you are now. In my arms and in my bed.”
That was so sweet that it made the tears resume. I let my cheek rest against his chest again. We were silent for a long time as he held me, but I hoped he derived as much comfort from our closeness as I did.
Sometime later,I stirred, my face mashed against his chest. “Did I fall asleep?”
“Yes.” Aaron smiled down at me. ”But we’d better get up. I think breakfast is waiting.”
I sat upright, pulling the sheet to my chest. A scent in the air made my mouth water. “That smells incredible.”
Aaron was already climbing out of bed and pulling on his pants. “Diego makes the best pancakes in the world. You’re going to love them.”
He waited, looking away when I pulled on my robe and fastened it around my waist. He was back in “gentleman mode,” which was kind of sweet. But I hoped I hadn’t seen the last of the more abandoned side that had come out to play last night.
When I was ready, he held out his hand, and we walked barefoot across the thick, plush carpet toward the kitchen. Nobody was at the large dining room table, but Diego was sitting at the small table inside the kitchen.
Wait—Diego was sitting there?
What?
My jaw dropped as I entered the kitchen and took in the scene. There were a skillet and several pots on the stove, steam rising from them, and a bunch of serving bowls and platters on the counter. One held golden-brown croissants. In the center of it all was Cody.
Cody?
He turned when he saw me, a genuine smile lighting up his face. “Morning, beautiful. Sausage or bacon?”
All I could do was stare. And when words finally came, they weren’t about breakfast meats. ”I have so many questions,” I said, trying to pick my jaw off the floor.
Cody waited, his head cocked, and finally said, “Okay, both sausage and bacon.”
Aaron and I made our way to the table, where Diego looked as stunned as we were. While Cody was turned toward the stove, we had a silent conversation, expressing our surprise.
Then Cody brought over a platter with omelets on one side and eggs sunny-side up on the other. Diego got up to fetch plates while Aaron poured coffee. I just stood there, stunned, trying to wrap my head around this revelation.
When I sat down at the table, Cody appeared out of nowhere and pushed my chair in for me.
I smiled up at him, catching his hand and squeezing it briefly. He went back to the stove, and Aaron and Diego sat down.
Aaron whispered, “What the fuck?”
“I know, right?” Diego shook his head. “I just can’t believe it.”
And all of a sudden, I got the giggles. I put my head in my hand and started shaking with laughter.
“What?” Aaron hissed.
I couldn’t stop. Diego put his hand on my shoulder, giving me a little shake. “What, Mia?”
I finally looked at them. “So you guys were perfectly okay with group sex last night, but Cody cooking is what you can’t wrap your head around?” It was so absurd that I couldn’t stop laughing.
Aaron and Diego exchanged a look. And then they were laughing, too.
“What?” Cody said, bringing over another serving platter.
When he turned back, I caught hold of his arm, tugging gently. “This looks amazing. Please sit down and eat with us.”
He surveyed the counters and stove, and I was half worried that he might make a few dozen more courses, but then he nodded and sat down at the fourth chair.
“Wow. Bon fucking appétit,” Diego said, wonder and admiration in his voice.
