Page 22 of Wallflower in Bloom

Morning sunlight hit her through the window, burnishing her auburn hair. He had never seen a prettier picture than Violet in her sleep shorts, ridden up high enough on her creamy thighs to show the curve of her ass, and a loose tank top with no bra on. Her breasts spilled out the sides of the loose armholes and deep V of the neckline.

He’d never been jealous of his cat before, but he’d trade places with him in a heartbeat to be on top of her right now.

Fuck. He’d need to go upstairs and handle his cock if he didn’t rip his eyes away soon.

“Morning,” he growled out.

She sat up suddenly, causing Todd to scurry, and clutched a throw pillow to her chest. Curls exploded from her top knot, and a few fell on either side of her face. She pushed up her glasses that had slipped down her nose and grasped her coffee mug like a shield in front of her.

“I didn’t think you’d be up this early.” Her voice was low and throaty in the morning.

File that away for later.

He leaned on the countertop in the kitchen, looking into the living room. “Todd likes you. He doesn’t like many people.”

Her face softened as she looked at his best furry mate rubbing himself on her legs. “Todd is the most handsomest of boys. Isn’t that right, Sir Toddrick?” She scratched Todd’s chin, and his purr motor started up.

“Sir Toddrick? He’s been knighted overnight?”

“He did a valiant job of finding a cricket driving me nuts this morning.”

“Knighthood was necessary then. So, Toddrick of Vancouver. Well, technically, Devon; he’s been with me since I left the UK.”

“Oh, Todd. You’re an old gent.” She leaned a hand down as Todd smashed his face into it for maximum pets and then hopped up to her lap. As he curled up, Jack envied Todd’s ability to take what he wanted.

Picking a piece of bacon off the plate, he dangled it over his mouth. The hot, sizzling juice ran down his fingers.

“I can fix you a plate. Can I get you coffee? Water?” Violet said, bustling into her kitchen and pulling out a plate. She’d unfortunately pulled a sweater over her tank top and the excellent view of her tits.

“You’re not my servant, Miss Parker.”

Violet burst into giggles.

“What? Never been called Miss Parker?” He poshed his tone up as much as possible, sounding like Lord Eagleton.

Violet burst out laughing. “No, I’m sorry. That’s a first for me.” She invaded his space as she grabbed for a spatula, and his hands twitched with wanting.

Danger, man. You’re in danger of doing the one thing you can’t do. She ladled eggs and waffles onto a plate for him.

“Oh, no waffles for me. Thank you.” He slapped his stomach. “The costume requirements for the show are demanding, and I can’t run enough miles to work off whatever that goodness is.”

“Not even half?” Violet’s innocent, hurt look had his stomach growling and his hands wanting to push her wispy curls out of her face.

“Oh, go on then. Half.” He’d do a couple of extra miles around the neighborhood later today. She reached into the cabinet, and he saw a Beyond the Manor Walls mug peek out of her top shelf.

“Think I should use this mug since it has my face on it?” He reached up, angling over her to grab it. It featured a heart-shaped picture of his face with the words “The Future Mrs. Eagleton” under it.

They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“I’m going upstairs to crawl into a hole. See ya.” Violet turned around, face red with shame.

“Oh, I think it’s rather cute. Lord Eagleton would be lucky to have you for his lady with waffles like these,” he said around a mouthful of buttery melt-in-his-mouth goodness.

Violet busied herself, cleaning up where she’d cooked, but the air became tense between them. “Do you know what they’re saying about you in the fan groups online?”

“That I’m a degenerate? That the network will soon part ways with me?” He poured coffee into the mug with his face on it. He snickered at how ridiculous his life could be sometimes. “That I’m on the ‘last strike’ list after last summer’s scandal?”

“When you had three girlfriends?”

---