CHAPTER
TWENTY-SIX
Madison shot out of bed as her alarm went off.
Kyle squinted up at her, laying a hand on her arm. “You hate waking up on schedule. What’s going on?”
She remembered the reason while rubbing her tired eyes—and instantly sank back down into the covers next to him. God, she loved him naked and warm and sleepy. “Nothing against the little guy, but he usually drags you out of bed before I’m fully awake with his wholeI need to pee and play with ballroutine, so I thought if I woke myself up early, we’d have a shot at a little more alert morning time.”
He pulled her tightly against him and kissed that place he knew she loved, where her neck and shoulder met. “Is Spike cramping your style?”
She snuck her hand between them, caressing his chest. “No, but he’s like a kid in some ways. He’s got needs. I get that. But so do I, and right now, I really need you.”
Last night, her universe had shifted. Nanine knew about Dassault, and she was going to keep insisting Madison take another head chef position so she could win a star. Madison feared Nanine was probably right.
Where did that leave her with Kyle?
He was needed here in Paris—he ran theParisRoommates Group. Their friends needed him; he was their general manager, continuing to help them with their dream businesses. And now he was opening a new restaurant with her mentor.
She had to face facts.
Their time as a couple might be coming to an end.
So she showed him how she felt in every slow, drugging kiss. Every tantalizingly wicked touch. His baby blues always seemed to peer directly into her soul. Sometimes he would smile as she teased him and took him to the edge of his control. Other times he would groan and completely lose himself. She loved all of his responses, and from now on, she planned to savor them.
Finally, she was able to completely fall into the moment with him. He was good at making her lose control too, and when they heard the little barking at the door, they were lying tangled up in each other’s arms, bodies replete with pleasure.
“Admit it.” She cupped his rough jaw and kissed him slowly. “My alarm idea was genius.”
He rolled until she was under him. “Of course it was. You’re a genius in everything. You’re going to need a nap, though, or you’ll be snoring at the table during Sunday dinner.”
Where they would see Nanine. Her loose-limbed body locked up immediately. “Hey! Speaking of. I know you said you won’t talk to Nanine about you-know-what unless she initiates, but I’m just reminding you that all of this is hard for her.”
“I know. It’s hard for you too.”
Her best friend was suddenly looking back at her. “Jeez, I didn’t mean for this to turn emotional.”
“How could it not?” He heaved out a sigh as Spike gave a high-pitched whine. “I’ve got to go let him out. Maybe we need a doggie door.”
“This is Paris! There are a million rats by the last count in this city. We do not want a tiny door on their level like we’re someL’Hôtel desRats.”
Spike gave another whine. “I’m coming,” Kyle called, kissing her hard before hustling out of bed. “Your argument wins. No Rat Hotel.”
Sitting up, she watched the love of her life—yep, that’s what he was—pluck his pants off the floor where she’d thrown them last night and dress quickly. Spike started barking, sensing someone was coming.
The moment Kyle opened the door, he launched himself at his legs before taking off toward the bed. Since Madison wasn’t usually super awake in the morning, all she usually managed was a limp arm off the bed to give him a noncommittal rubdown. So when the little dog saw that she was wide awake, he started barking noisily. Kyle finally did his alpha thing and ordered Spike out.
So hot.
She fell back onto the bed as he left, but snoozing wasn’t a remote possibility. Her mind was spinning. Flinging herself out of bed, she headed to the bathroom to take a shower and get dressed.
They still weren’t back when she made her journey through the Romance Shrine carrying their single spoon and empty ice cream container. Kyle had continued lighting the candles, his training with Spike a master class ofyou obey my rules.She had to give him credit for the thoughtfulness as much as his determination. Yeah, that was him. Determined. He deserved a treat for being so Kyle.
Breakfast. She’d make him a special breakfast. But what else?
He loved BBQ, but it wasn’t like she could whip that up right away. What kind of breakfast was in the BBQ universe?
She hated to pick up her phone on a Sunday, but she needed to do a quick search for inspiration.
