“Same goes for you.” I work to keep my tone cool, hoping he can’t see how deeply his words affect me.
He doesn’t just want to be with me—he wants me exclusively. This is the antithesis of my last relationship, his insistence a baseline of assurance I didn’t even know I needed until now.
“Naturally.” He tugs me closer, placing a kiss on the top of my shoulder. With his lips still pressed into my skin, he murmurs, “I’m serious, angel. I don’t share. I crave control. I need to be the only man in your bed.”
With a nod of understanding, I cuddle deeper into the crevice of his shoulder. “That will never be an issue for us, I swear.”
We’re both quiet, reveling in the newness of what we’ve just committed to.
Fighting back a smile, I peek up at him again. “This is real,” I whisper.
“So real.” Lips tipping up, he shakes his head like he can’t believe his luck. “Come on, angel. I have nowhere to be this morning, and you need sustenance. Time for me to figure out what you like for breakfast.”
As it turns out, I like everything Alaric makes for breakfast. He prepares a small feast for us that includes scrambled eggs, buttered toast, fried potatoes, and fresh fruit.
I gorge myself, enjoying seconds of each dish, which brings him an obnoxious amount of satisfaction.
“It’s a little concerning how closely you watch me while I eat,” I tease, finally pushing my plate away.
He grins, leaning over the countertop, still shirtless. “You like breakfast foods.”
“Ilovebreakfast foods,” I admit. “Especially anything I can smother in syrup, ketchup, or chocolate.”
“Noted.”
Elation blooms inside me. I can’t remember the last time a person noted my likes, dislikes, or preferences. It’s nice to be considered.
No, not just considered.
Revered.
“I have an idea I wanted to float past you,” he says, carrying my plate to the sink.
I track his movements, appreciating the way the muscles in his back tense and stretch as he rinses the dishes. The urge to touch him isstrong, so I slide off the barstool and pad over to join him. Circling his torso, I attempt to hug him from behind, but he spins in my arms before I can get situated.
“What is it?” I ask, resting my chin in the center of his bare chest.
Today is my off day. I have a few ideas I could work on for A-Tizket A-Tasket, but I’m caught up on orders and don’t need to do much to prepare for my live stream this evening.
And I have a few ideas of my own I’d like to float past Alaric while we’re still enjoying the privacy of his hotel room.
He smooths one hand up my back but looks past me rather than focusing on my face.
Unease swirls in my belly. “Alaric?”
His chest expands under my chin as he sucks in a deep breath. “Come to Monaco with me. Early.”
I still, contemplating his words.
The Monaco Grand Prix is thirteen days away. I’m not scheduled to arrive in the principality for another week. While I have to check out of this hotel tomorrow, I planned to tag along with Mia and a few other friends and tour Spain.
I also planned to put in a lot of work for my business. Now that I understand the rhythm of my new job with Granata, I have some ideas about rescheduling my live streams and body-doubling sessions in a way that will make my life run a little more smoothly.
Alaric drags his fingers up my spine lightly, distracting me from my rumination.
“How early?” I ask.
He licks his lips, dark brown eyes smoldering. “Is tomorrow too soon?”
