"I'm not used to… this. Waking up with someone. Not having to sneak away before dawn." She looked up at him, her expression serious. "I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop."
"There is no other shoe." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just this. Just us."
She took a breath, visibly gathering herself. "In that case… good morning."
"Very good morning." He leaned down and kissed her, slow and sweet. "How do you feel about breakfast?"
"Depends. What are you offering?"
"Pancakes. Or I could make you breakfast in bed."
Her lips curved. "I've never had breakfast in bed."
"Then you're long overdue."
He started to extricate himself from her embrace, but she pulled him back over her.
"Don't go yet." Her hand slid down his back, nails lightly scraping. "I had other ideas for how to start the morning."
"Oh?" He smiled against her neck, nibbling at the sensitive skin there. "What kind of ideas?"
She reached between them, freeing his rapidly hardening cock from its sheath. "This kind of idea."
"Very good idea," he managed, his voice rough. "Excellent thinking."
She guided him to her entrance, already slick and ready for him, and he sank into her with a groan. There was nothing rushed about their lovemaking this morning, nothing frantic. Just the slow, sweet slide of bodies that knew each other now, that had learned each other's rhythms and responses.
She was making soft, breathy sounds beneath him, her hips rising to meet his thrusts, and he thought he'd never heard anything so beautiful.
"I'm close," she whispered, her hands gripping his shoulders.
He reached between them to circle her clit with his thumb, and she shattered around him, her body clenching and pulsing. The sensation pushed him over the edge, and he followed her into pleasure, spilling himself inside her with a shout of her name.
Afterwards, they lay tangled together, catching their breath.
"Now I'm starving," she said.
"Then I'll get started on breakfast. Unless you're going to delay me again?" He gave her hips a teasing nudge, and her eyes widened.
"Again? Are you really that insatiable?"
"I'm a satyr, remember? I have a reputation to maintain." He kissed her forehead. "But no, I'll be a gentleman. This time."
Her laugh followed him out of bed, and he felt like he could conquer the world.
Breakfast was a leisurely affair. They ate in bed, sharing pancakes and conversation, and he discovered that Marigold inthe morning sun was even more delightful than Marigold in candlelight. More relaxed. More open. More willing to laugh.
"I can't believe you've never had breakfast in bed before," he said, feeding her another bite of syrup-drenched pancake.
"Who was going to bring it to me?" She rolled her eyes. "My mother doesn't like to get up before noon."
"Your mother sounds… interesting."
"That's one word for it." She took the last bite from his fingers, her lips closing around his thumb in a way that made him suddenly reconsider his gentlemanly intentions. "She's not a bad person. Just… scattered. Impulsive. Always looking for something better."
"That's rough."
"It's life." She shrugged. "And I'm here now, in Harmony Glen, with my own shop and my own life. So it worked out." She hesitated. "I know your mom is gone, but do you have any other family?"
