“Thank you for sharing that with me,” I said.“I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for you.”
Carter turned off the stove and shifted to face me.“It's why I pushed you about seeing Mel.Why I reacted the way I did when I realized you were in pain.The thought of you suffering like that…”
He shook his head.I stepped closer, winding my arms around his middle.He tensed for a moment before relaxing into the embrace and resting his chin on my head.
“I'm okay,” I murmured against his chest.“I have a good doctor, thanks to you.I'm getting help.It's not the same situation.”
His arms tightened around me.“I know.Logically, I know that.But seeing you in pain, it brought everything back.”
We remained like that, both reluctant to let go.The only sounds were the quiet hum of the refrigerator and our steady breathing.
“You know,” I said eventually, pulling back enough to look up at him.“You claim not to be a good cook, but these pancakes smell amazing.”
A lopsided smile creased the corner of his mouth.“Well, pancakes are my specialty.It's about the only thing I can make without burning down the kitchen.”
“I'll have to expand your culinary horizons.How about next time, I teach you how to make my famous apple pie?”
“Next time, huh?Getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren't we, Sunny?”
“Oh, I don't know.I think after tonight, you owe me at least one more home-cooked meal.Even if I have to do most of the cooking.”
“I suppose that's fair.”He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.“Now, let's eat these pancakes before they get cold.I worked hard on them, after all.”
As we settled at the small kitchen table, plates piled high with slightly misshapen but delicious-smelling pancakes, I marveled at how much had changed in one night.Carter had shared a painful part of his past.He’d been vulnerable with me, letting me see the man behind the grouch.
I reached over and took his hand.“Thank you.”
Carter intertwined his fingers with mine.“For what?The mediocre pancakes?”
“For letting me in.”
His eyes softened, and he tightened his grip on my hand.“Thank you for listening.For understanding.”
After I watched Carter pour an obscene amount of syrup on his stack, we ate in comfortable silence.It wasn't just pancakes we were sharing—this was a whole new kind of intimacy.It was both exhilarating and a little scary.
* * *
I wokeup with Carter Cassidy in my bed.
I woke up with Carter Cassidy in my bed and his mouth on my lady bits.
My moan startled Pete who was lying on my pillow, curled around my head.He gave a disgruntled woof and leaped off the bed.Carter didn't miss a beat.His tongue traced intricate patterns, sending shivers through my body.I buried my hands in his dark hair, urging him closer.
“Good morning to you too,” I gasped, arching my back.
He hummed against me, the vibrations intensifying the sensations.His hands gripped my thighs, holding me in place as he worked his magic.
I glanced down.The raw desire in his eyes made my breath catch.This man who'd been so closed-off was now utterly focused on my pleasure.
“Carter,” I moaned, my hips rocking against his mouth, “I'm close.”
He redoubled his efforts, alternating between broad strokes and pinpoint precision.The tension built, winding tighter and tighter until it snapped.I cried out, waves of ecstasy washing over me.
As I came down from my high, Carter kissed his way up my body.His stubble scraped deliciously against my skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.When he reached my lips, I tasted myself on his tongue.
He hovered above me, weight braced on his forearms bracketing my head.“Good morning.”
“That's one way to wake up.”I stretched my limbs and nipped at his lower lip before my eyes shifted to my alarm clock.
