Page 102 of All I Feel

Mom gasped. “I was just thinking about that!”

Dad and Luke grumbled under their breath, but I didn’t pay much attention. Tipping my chin up, I looked at Ace, grinning.

His eyes were shining as he smiled back.

TWENTY-SIX

TESSA

“I don’t meanto alarm you, but we have multiple problems now.”

How I could be in my current position, feeling as physically and emotionally wonderful as I did, and still believe there was anything to complain about was ludicrous. I was entirely aware of that reality. But I couldn’t ignore the few things that were bugging me, and there was only one person I needed to address those issues with.

Seemingly confused, since I was naked, sated, and curled up beside him, Ace asked, “What could possibly be wrong when we just had the morning that we did with each other?”

I sent him a knowing smile. “I agree that this morning’s… activities would lead any sane person to believe that there couldn’t possibly be anything wrong. But in case you were unaware, it’s now currently past the time I’d usually get out of bed to be able to do all that I need to do and still get to work on time.”

“Mmm,” Ace hummed. “I see how that could be a problem. But you won’t be late today.”

My fingertips drifted lightly over his pecs, and I hoped it made him feel the same that I did when he brushed his fingers along my spine or hip. “I love what we have between us now, Ace. The physical intimacy is wonderful, and it makes me feel so good in more than one way. So, it’d be very easy to forego other responsibilities. The problem is that I like what I do, and I don’t want to start showing up to work late when I’ve worked so hard to make that the one area of my life where I’m responsible with my time.”

Ace leaned forward, pressed a kiss to my forehead, and squeezed my hip. “I can assure you that won’t happen, Tessa. You’ve been staying with me for just over a week now. I’ve taken notice of how long you need to get ready in the morning, and there’s still plenty of time for you to get ready and be to work on time.”

I shouldn’t have been surprised by that, but for some reason, I was. Ace had quietly observed my morning routine and noted the time it took me. It warmed my heart to know he’d been paying attention for years—he knew so many things about me from the time we were young and never forgot any of them—and now that we were together, he was continuing to put in extra effort.

“It astounds me that you’ve gone to such lengths,” I shared. “And I can see why you’d say there’s plenty of time. But even if I can get myself ready for work on time, there’s still one small detail you’re overlooking.”

His brow furrowed. “What is that?”

“I won’t have time to make you breakfast like I was supposed to yesterday,” I pointed out.

Ace chuckled, reached for my thigh, and hitched it over his leg in order to shrink the space between our bodies. His hand drifted up to my ass, where he cupped me firmly, before he said, “I don’t think that’s a problem, though. Yesterday’s impromptu breakfast with our parents went so well, and I’m glad we shared the news of our relationship with them.”

“I agree with you on that. But I still want to make you breakfast, and there’s no way I’m going to be able to do it now.”

A mischievous smile spread across his face. “You did give me breakfast this morning when I had my mouth between your legs. Technically, it is called eating, and if I’m honest, it’s my favorite thing to eat.”

Shooting him an unimpressed look, I said, “I don’t want to say anything that might make you think I’m diminishing what you did with your mouth this morning. It was utterly delightful for me.”

“Me, too.” He was wearing a massive grin.

“Right. But it doesn’t count, Ace. It’s not a meal.”

“It might not be a full entrée, but I would think thatyou,of all people, could appreciate just how wonderful appetizers are. Now that we’re together, and you have such a fascination for meal starters, I figure it’s important for me to acquire the same appreciation.”

I released a frustrated sigh. “I’m not going to win this argument, am I?”

“Do you really want to?”

Admittedly, it was foolish of me to even consider trying to talk Ace out of making it so we had a morning like this. Ithad been wonderful. He was happy and satisfied with it, and I was the same. “Not really,” I admitted. “I just want to make you breakfast one of these mornings.”

Ace gave me another kiss on the forehead. “You will. For now, for today, how about you just do what you’ve got to do to get yourself ready, and I’ll make breakfast?”

“We don’t really have any other option if I’m going to make it to work on time.”

“Speaking of work, sometime today, I should be getting the remaining parts I need to fix your car,” he shared. “My hope is to have all the repairs done on it by the end of the week.”

As relieved as I was to know I’d have my car fixed and at my disposal again, there was a small part of me that had enjoyed the extra time I had with Ace in the mornings when he’d been driving me to work. “You didn’t waste any time, did you?”