I stand there, holding Jessica, in no rush to let her go, and take strength from her presence. Her steady breaths anchor me to the moment instead of my upcoming surgery.
Her stomach grumbles and I step back, frowning.
“Have you not eaten?” I ask.
She shakes her head.
“Sweet girl, you need to eat.” I take her hand in mine and tug her into the kitchen, pointing to the breakfast bar before swatting her arse. “Go, sit.”
“Yes, sir,” she says, saluting me and sliding onto a stool, her palms resting flat on the breakfast bar.
“Keep it up, you know how much we love it when you call us sir.” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively.
Her cheeks heat and I can’t help but laugh and for the first time in days it doesn’t feel forced.
I rub my hands together. “Now, what do you want to eat?” I ask, not allowing her to change the subject.
“I’m fine Noah,” she replies, slightly exasperated, as her stomach growls again.
I point to her. “The monster sounds coming from your belly would say otherwise.”
She looks down at her hands and I sigh, walking towards the kitchen island and reaching out to take both her hands in mine.
“Come on, what will it be?” I ask.
Flicking her gaze back to mine, she chews the inside of her cheek.
“Jessica, just because I’m not allowed to eat, it doesn’t mean you can’t. I’ll feel better going into surgery knowing you’ve at least eaten something.”
The pads of my thumbs brush over the back of her knuckles.
“Noah.” She sighs.
I shrug, having zero remorse. She needs to take care of herself and not eating is non-negotiable.
“So, what will it be?” I ask, letting go of her hands. “How about peanut butter and jam on toast, and a cup of tea?” Ever since Avery insisted Jessica give it a go, she’s been obsessed.
Her eyes light up so I don’t bother waiting for her response as I pop some bread in the toaster and flick the switch for the kettle. I reach for one of the mugs River got for us as wedding gifts, hers reads,Because one dick wasn’t enough!Caleb and mine both read,I’m greedy, I eat arse and crumpet!
To be fair, he also got us ones with our wedding date and our surnames, but I think that was more Lily than River.
Jessica prefers the novelty mug.
Once I’ve spread the peanut butter and jam, I cut each slice in half before carrying it over, along with her tea, and slide onto a stool beside her.
“Eat up, sweet girl.”
“Thank you,” she says and picks up her toast, nibbling the crust before she eats the middle. I lean on my elbow and rest my chin against my palm, watching her eat both slices and then slowly drink her tea.
“Nice?” I ask once she’s finished.
She nods, licking her lips. “Perfect, thank you.”
Leaning over I press my mouth to hers, my tongue teasing her lips. She opens up to me and I kiss her like it’s the first time, the last time, and every other time in between.
I savour every caress of her tongue, the way she moans against my lips. She grips the nape of my neck with one hand, the other in my hair, her fingers tugging on my short strands.
It’s only at the clearing of a throat do I finally pull away. Jessica’s lips are swollen, her eyes glazed over.
