Page 42 of Hounds Ascend
“Good morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?” he asks.
“Mmhmm,” I hum my agreeance, my eyes closing tight as I think about justhowgreat I slept.
“Hungry?”
“Starving.”
Cass puts eggs and bacon onto a paper plate that he just pulled from one of the many grocery bags and sets it on the bar for me. While he fixes his plate, I grab a bottle of orange juice for him and the bottle of milk for myself. He thought of everything we would need for breakfast.
I set his drink down next to mine and sit down at the bar and begin scarfing down the eggs and bacon he made for me. They’re perfect. Just the way I like. Scrambled and extra cheesy. He sits down beside me, and we eat our breakfast in the most comfortable silence I’ve ever endured.
“Thank you for breakfast,” I say when I’ve finished every last bite and downed the last of my milk.
“You’re welcome, baby.” Cass kisses me in the center of my forehead. I lean into his shoulder, resting my head there for a moment before I sit up, looking at him curiously.
“Where did you get a pan to cook in?”
“The same place I got the food. At the store down the street.”
“Oh. I can’t believe I didn’t hear you leave this morning. What time did you wake up?”
“Around six. I couldn’t sleep, so I figured I might as well do something useful.”
“You arealwaysuseful, baby,” I purr, my hand slipping down the center of his chest. I’m already picturing myself tearing his shirt off, followed by those sexy as hell blue jeans when an unfamiliar dinging noise has me fumbling my hands and jumping.
Cass laughs at me as I look around in a state of confused curiosity.
“That, my love, would be the sound of our doorbell. Better get used to it,” he chuckles and walks toward the front door. I’m right behind him, even more curious now.
“Why is someone ringing our doorbell this early?”
“Because they’re here with our things so we can actually move into our home.”
“They?”
Cass opens the door and on the other side stands Scott, Snapper, Leo, and Shorty.
“Hey guys!” Cass welcomes them as they all walk inside.
“Hi, y’all.” My greeting is much quieter and less enthusiastic than Cass’s but it’s still early and they had just interrupted my morning. Myfirstmorning in my house with my sexy man. I suppress the sigh that I desperately want to huff out, mostly because I sound like a selfish bitch.
Outside, there’s a box truck parked in the driveway, filled with what I can only assume are mine and Cass’s belongings. Inaddition to the moving truck, there’s one other truck, loaded with furniture in the bed, and two motorcycles. The sound of laughter draws my attention, and I walk in the direction of it. The guys are gathered around the island and bar in the kitchen, talking and eating. I was so caught up in Cass this morning that I failed to notice all the extra food he’d made.
“What do y’all think of the house?” Cass asks, munching on a crispy slice of bacon.
“It’s fucking badass, man,” Snapper says.
“You did good,” Shorty says through a mouthful of eggs.
“It’s a great house, but I think it would’ve been better if it weren’t so far out,” Scott adds, standing up and walking around.
“That’s the point,” Cass counters.
“I didn’t want to be way the hell over there anymore. Besides, I got a damn good deal on the placeandI knew Lilly would love it. Ain’t that right, baby?” he asks, pulling me under his arm.
“Hell yeah. I couldn’t have hand-picked a more beautiful, perfect place to call home with you.” I smile, looking up at him as someone makes a gagging noise.
Without looking in their direction, I flip the bird to whoever made the noise and tiptoe until my lips press into Cass’s.
