Page 68 of A Simple Love

“I’ll have to make more.”

I indicated the bowl of fruit and the unrolled crust. “Which you planned to do anyway.”

“Olly…” she hissed as I touched the crust of the one I wanted. “Stop it.”

I dipped a finger in, the filling still hot, and I let out a yelp.

“Serves you right!” she admonished, jumping up. “Now I can’t use that one.”

“Shame.” I blew on my finger. “I can help you dispose of that one.”

“You are incorrigible.”

I sidled up next to her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her back to my chest. I pushed her ponytail off her shoulder and kissed her neck, smiling against her skin as she shivered.

“But you’re going to give me that pie, aren’t you?”

“Fine,” she huffed. “Next time your costar calls you pudgy, remember this.”

I burst out laughing. “Maybe you can help me work off the calories,” I suggested slyly. “Burn off the pudge.”

“I should throw you out of the kitchen,” she muttered, but she leaned back into me, tilting her head to one side and exposing her neck again. I brushed my mouth along the column of her throat. She always loved that.

“Try,” I murmured, sucking her earlobe between my teeth and nibbling. “Hmm,” I groaned. “Never mind the pie. You’re so sweet, I’ll just eat you.”

She turned in my embrace and threw her arms around my neck. Our mouths crashed together, our tongues sliding and twisting in a dance we both knew well. I scooped her up to my chest and headed down the hall.

“The pies,” she mumbled, pressing hot kisses to my throat. “I only have about twenty minutes.”

I tossed her on the unmade bed. She was flushed, breathing hard, her eyes wide with desire.

“Not a problem, lovely. I only need ten.”

Then I was on her.

Kassie for breakfast and pie for dessert.

It was a banner morning.

We were in the reverse of last night’s positions. I was on my back, Kassie stretched across my torso, her head resting under my chin. I played with her hair, watching as the long strands slipped between my fingers. Her hair was soft and silky on my skin. I sighed in contentment. My body was beyond sated, my mind at rest, and I was totally relaxed. All three things were a rarity for me.

She lifted her head, her green gaze affectionate and happy. “Are you okay?”

I wrapped my hand around her neck, pulling her face to mine and kissing her. Our mouths moved together gently. Nothing rushed or frenzied. Simply being close, loving.

“I am, thanks to you.”

She smiled, resting her head back on my chest. I started stroking her head again. “Your hair fascinates me,” I stated.

“It’s hair,” she replied dryly.

“It looks caramel or gold in some lights. Red in others. Wheat-colored other times.”

“It’s always been an odd shade of strawberry blond.”

“Not odd,” I insisted. “Beautiful. I loved it back then. I love it now.”

She tensed a little, and I paused. “Sorry. I guess I shouldn’t bring up our past.”