Page 88 of Best Frenemies

“Hold up,” he says, and a little frown makes his mouth crease down at the corners. “What are you doing?”

“Sitting down?”

“Without coming over here and giving Big Mack a kiss first?” He shakes his head. “Get over here, Katy Cat. Give me some sugar.”

“Oh my God, you’re so cheesy.”

“Andkiss-less.”

When I don’t make a move to get up, he sets his spatula down and raises both of his hands in the air. “These pancakes are relying on you, babe. The longer you hold out on the kiss, the more likely they are to burn.”

“You can’t be serious,” I huff.

“Only you can save them from their fiery torture.”

On another huff, I slowly push myself off the barstool and walk over toward him on purposefully heavy feet. Once we’re mere inches from each other, I stare up into his green eyes and purse my lips. “You don’t think you’re being a little dramatic here?”

“Nope.” He shakes his head, and strands of his hair shuffle across his forehead. “Now, give me that sweetness,” he adds and taps his cheek again.

I stand up on my tippy-toes to press my lips to his skin, but he surprises a squeal out of me when he wraps his arms around me and lifts me up and into his arms via his big, strong hands on my bare ass.

I don’t even have the ability to complain because his mouth covers mine in a slow but sweet kiss.

“You’re a little trickster,” I say against his lips, and he squeezes my ass as his chuckle vibrates against my chest.

“And I have zero regrets about it,” he says. “How else would I have proof that you’re still panty-less?”

He kisses me again, deeper this time, and I fold like a deck of cards. My lips match his lips’ movement, and my tongue eagerly entwines with his.

By the time he sets me down on the counter, a safe distance away from the hot stove, I’m a little out of breath and a lot horny.

“Thank you,” he says and picks the spatula back up. “Now, I can finish these pancakes.”

I roll my eyes at him, but I also giggle too.

“So…I guess I kind of passed out last night, huh?” I ask, once he manages to move three fully cooked pancakes over to a plate and adds more batter to the skillet.

“Both you and Gracie fell asleep on the couch halfway through the movie.”

“I don’t even remember going from the couch to your bed.”

He winks at me. “That’s because I carried you in.”

“Seriously?” I question. “You should’ve just woken me up.”

“And missed all that adorable snoring? Hell no.”

“I don’t snore,” I retort, and he points the spatula at me.

“You snore, babe, but it’s a cute snore. A soft little snore like a kitten.”

“I swear, if you start calling me Katy Kitten, I’ll slap you.”

“Don’t tempt me,” he jokes, and I reach out with my hand to shove his bicep lightheartedly.

“What can I do to help you with breakfast?” I ask, choosing to change the subject before it leads to awful nicknames and violence.

“You can set the table,” he instructs as he flips the pancakes over.