Page 269 of Show Me

“Hey,” he says. There’s that stupid word again.

“Hey.”

His eyes drift down my bare legs before coming back up. The corner of his mouth lifts. “That’s my shirt.”

“You left it unattended.”

“Dangerous decision.” Squirt grunts impatiently and shoves his nose harder against Xavier’s thigh. “He’s harassing me.”

“He thinks you owe him breakfast.”

“He’s emotionally manipulative.”

I smile and tip my head toward the corner. “He also stole one of your socks.”

“What?” In the middle of Squirt’s bed is the missing sock. Xavier shakes his head. “I didn’t even know it was missing.”

I laugh again until the smell hits me. Eggs. My stomach turns violently. “Oh, God.”

Everything inside me drops instantly. I slap a hand over my mouth and stop short in the middle of the kitchen.

Xavier’s expression changes. Concern replaces warmth so fast it gives me emotional whiplash. “What’s wrong?”

“The eggs.”

His eyes widen. “The eggs?”

“Nauseous.”

That’s all it takes. He moves. Pan in hand, he kills the burner, shoves open the window over the sink, then dumps the entire pan in the trash can. Squirt gasps in absolute betrayal.

Xavier sprays something citrus-scented into the air, ties the trash bag, and carries it straight out the back door. By the time he comes back in, the kitchen smells like lemon cleaner and coffee instead of breakfast. Squirt follows him back inside.

“He threw away your eggs,” I tell him sympathetically.

“He’ll survive.” Xavier grabs another spray bottle. Squirt bumps his calf hard enough to make him stumble. “You’re so dramatic.” I lean against the counter, trying to let my stomach settle as Xavier walks over. “Better?”

“Yeah,” I admit. “A little.”

His shoulders relax. “Good.” He reaches for the coffee pot. “Decaf.”

I stare at him as he pours a cup. “You switched my coffee?”

“You’re growing a human.”

I roll my eyes. “Already bossing me around.”

Xavier winks. “You didn’t seem to mind last night.”

Heat rushes over my entire body instantly. “Oh my God, you didn’t just say that.”

His grin turns downright smug. And annoyingly, he’s right. I did not mind last night. Not even a little.

He steps closer and hands me the mug before leaning down to kiss me. No desperation. No hesitation. Just warm. Slow. Happy.

Squirt grunts loudly between us.

Xavier sighs dramatically against my mouth. “You’re ruining the mood.” He snorts again. “You’re not getting eggs,” he informs him. “But I’ll find you something else.”