Page 5 of Blissful Vixen

I made pancakes, bacon, and eggs, and I made a fruit bowl. It wasn’t until the coffee was brewing, did she come out of the room. She looked groggy and half asleep but so damn magnificent. Emberlynn wore her hair short, it had a little bit of a spike, but I knew she gelled it down into the waves she had yesterday. Her satin sleep set was emerald, with black lace along the edges, and she wore a black robe. Her slippers were black slide-ins that sparkled from all the bling. Emberlynn was a woman made to be devoured in pieces. All those curves of hers weren’t to be played with. I could tell from her expression that she wasn’t easy to conquer. The other thing? She wanted me just as much as I did her. I couldn’t help but get that from the way she watched me. Then why had she seemed distant yesterday? It was almost like she wanted to bury the possibilities and wasn’t haven’t that.

“I thought that we could start over. A fresh beginning. I made coffee as our truce.” I set a mug in front of her as she sat at the table. “Cream or sugar?”

“Just cream, thank you.” She smiled as politely as she could. Her glossy lips had been the extent of her attempt this morning. Too much for me. I wanted to see her completely undone and bare.

“You’re welcome.” I placed the cream on the table as well as an empty plate. The spread was already on the table except for the fruit I was also carrying.

“I’m sorry about last night. I thought I was just taking a small nap. I didn’t expect to sleep until now. Not sure how much longer I would have if you hadn’t woken up my stomach.”

“I’m glad that it smelled good.” I sat across from her. “If you need water, I’ll get it.”

“No, this coffee will do just fine to get my brain moving.” She closed her eyes as she took her first sip. “God, that’s good.”

“Thank you. Eat up, though. I don’t want your food to be cold when you try it.”

Emberlynn nodded and filled her plate. Unexpectedly, she layered her eggs and bacon between her pancakes, put whip cream on top, and then smothered it in syrup. I had to admit, it looked damn good, just like her.

“How tall are you?” I asked her.

“Six feet even,” she said after swallowing. “What made you ask?”

“You’re tall. Probably the tallest woman I’ve ever dated,” I admitted. “That’s not a bad thing. Just a fact.”

“We’re not dating, though,” she corrected.

“I never agreed to that.” I slicked my forkful of pancakes through the thick syrup before eating them.

“You said deal!” She all but pouted.

“To you helping me find a therapist. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?” I peered at her until she lifted those pretty browns at me. “Too long.”

“Hardison, listen, there’s something—”

“I don’t want to listen to another thing about me dealing with scars. I know I have some healing to do. Doesn’t mean that I don’t want company on this journey.”

“One thing at a time, please.” Emberlynn sighed softly, and somehow, I had a feeling there was more going on here.

“Yes, we’ll focus on breakfast and go from there.” Except… “One question.”

“Anything.” She placed her hands on her lap and gave me her undivided attention.

“What do you want for Christmas?” I watched as her shoulders slumped.

“Nothing,” she mumbled.

“Well, you’ll have two weeks to think about it. But, Emberlynn…”

She raised her eyebrow slightly.

“You’ll give me an answer much before then.”

Emberlynn studied my face as if she was trying to figure out something about me. “What’s your sign?” she asked.

“Why?” I frowned at her, wondering what it had to do with anything that I’d just said.

“I want to know.” Curious eyes wouldn’t let go of her question.

“Capricorn.” I folded my arms and leaned back into my seat. “What’s that mean to you, Virgo?”

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