CHAPTER
SEVEN
Kyle had never been happier to wake up with someone’s hand resting across his face.
Madison’s hand.
He eased away and turned onto his side, feeling a surge of love for the woman spread out next to him, taking up much of the bed. She slept like she lived. Bold. Passionate. Undeniable.
Last night, he’d discovered she loved the same way. Once they’d decided they were going for it, that was that. They’d crushed their lips together, ripped off each other’s clothes, and barely made it to the bed, only to feast on the melting ice cream.
Spoon optional, as Madison had wickedly said.
Laughing from pleasure as much as a sugar high, they’d gotten tangled up in the sheets with the delicious scent of cinnamon and vanilla on their skin. The rest of the night had been a roller coaster of passion, discovery, and connection he’d never experienced before.
God, what a night.
She was sleeping so deeply her breath was audible. They’d finally called it when she couldn’t keep her eyes open.Now her black hair lay in wild tufts, stark against the white pillow. He imagined his hair didn’t look much tidier—not that he cared. She liked having her hands in his hair, and he sure as hell liked it too.
“Any idea what time it is?” she murmured sleepily.
“Nope,” he simply answered, giving in to the urge to nibble the line of flesh connecting her collarbone to her arm.
“Any idea what the weather’s like?” she followed up, eyes still closed.
“Not a clue.”
“That’s what I thought. Zombies could have taken over Paris, shuffling around with someone’s leg in one hand and a croissant in the other, and we wouldn’t know.”
“You’re so funny.” He kissed his way up to her neck and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I didn’t know you like zombies.”
“What’s not to like? They cause havoc and eat people’s brains. Some people could use having their brains sucked out. I’ve always figured they’d provide an important community service.”
He slid closer, inhaling the intoxicating smell of warm, sleepy woman.
Ten years from now when they were celebrating this anniversary, he was going to sweetly recall how he’d woken up with her hand across his face, surrounded by the scents of cinnamon and vanilla andthem, and she’d talked about zombies.
“Is it any wonder I’m insanely in love with you?” he murmured, kissing the underside of her jaw.
“You got laid last night—insanity pretty much defined everything we did.” She finally turned on her side to face him, meeting his gaze with her golden eyes. “The ice cream was an inspired addition.”
“Glad you liked it.” He wrapped his arm around her, testing the morning waters, but she stayed put, all warm,willing woman, looking at him with that directness he enjoyed.
“Definitely one of your best ideas, and you have tons.” She rubbed the five o’clock shadow on his face. “I like this scruff. You look even sexier than you did last night when I walked into the Romance Shrine.”
He chuckled at her description. Setting up said shrine had given him some worried moments. He’d wondered if the candles would freak her out, or if she’d think everything was too cheesy. But he’d still wanted to do it. Candles might not be her love language yet, but ice cream shipped over the pond clearly was. “We can light more tonight if you’d like.”
Her laughter was infectious as she pressed her face into the pillow and shook her head. “I feared I’d catch on fire as I passed by them since I’d squirted on too much perfume.”
He crinkled his nose playfully. “I’d wondered what had happened there.”
“Lesson learned. Me and perfume are like heat and basil.”
More insights into her mind. She was an open book today. Last night had bulldozed the last of the walls between them. Or so he hoped. “Because heat kills basil’s flavor, right?”
“And makes the leaves wilt.” She tugged at the sheet around his waist. “Wilting isn’t a problem you’ll ever have. Not that I’m surprised. You pack as much of a punch in bed as out of it.”
Tracing her cheekbone, he knew a crazy grin was spreading across his mouth. “We’re well matched that way, not that I’m surprised.”
