Page 66 of Relentless Pursuit

“Nothing.” He glanced over her shoulder. “Can we eat? I am hungry and everything smells delicious.”

“It will be better served hot.” She kissed his cheek. “Have a seat.”

“Are you telling me what to do?” He pulled on her ponytail.

“Yes, I am.”

“I’m too tired to argue.”

She plated the pancakes and bacon while he poured the coffee and juice, taking a seat at the island when he was finished. Admiring her every move, he realized how much he liked having her there with him. It seemed natural to have her maneuvering around his kitchen. He needed her presence just as much in a normal capacity as he did in his bedroom. When had the dynamic shifted?

“You’re staring at me.” She placed the dishes on the counter. “Didn’t you think I could cook?”

“I’m sure you’re capable of many abilities I’m not aware of, but we’re going to rectify that going forward.”

She took the high-top seat next to him, slowly picking up her fork, but she didn’t dig into the sweet smelling pancakes.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I can’t abandon Connie. She’s my friend.”

Not as much as you think.He didn’t want to create drama. He was confident he had shut Connie and her advances down. They were a product of a bad night. There was no need to discuss it any further.

“I think you should distance yourself for a bit, but I won’t tell you what to do. You can still text her, but until she’s certain Tim is out of her life, you don’t need that mess in my opinion. Focus on your new job and on me.” He smiled as he cut into the stack of pancakes. “I should be your main priority.”You’re definitely mine.

“You’re overbearing and demanding.” She drizzled syrup on her plate. “Controlling too.”

“Isn’t that what you like best about me?”

“Maybe.” She sipped her juice. “I’ll agree to table this conversation for a few days. I’d still like to contact Connie, but you’re right—”

“What was that?” He playfully tugged at her hair again. “I didn’t hear you.”

She rolled her eyes, but then shot him her signature flirty grin. Yes, he’d be taking her back to bed very soon, but not to sleep.

“Thank you for seeing it my way,” he said.

“Did I have a choice? You’re relentless.”

“Being relentless is how I got this far with you. I won’t apologize.”

“How’s breakfast?”

“Fantastic. Thank you for preparing it.”

“My pleasure.” As she swirled the spoon in her coffee he detected the faint hue of a blush in her cheeks. When she abandoned the spoon to push the food around her plate, he wondered what had her so edgy.

“Is there something else you’d like to discuss?”

“Huh?” She looked up at him, clearly disrupted in her preoccupation. “Yes.”

“What is it? Do you have questions or concerns about what we did last night?”

“No, I really liked that. I couldn’t believe how soundly I slept once we went to bed.”

“I didn’t like leaving you.” There had never been a time he could recall being so attached to anyone the way he found himself with her. Maybe he should call his friend Martin sooner rather than later to see if he had any advice.

“You’re back now.” She nibbled on a piece of bacon. “My parents are coming to the city in two weeks.”