Page 116 of All for Love

KODY

Mercedes and I woke up together the next morning, and I loved the feel of her hot body next to mine in my bed. It was the first time we were waking up without the weight of our secret on our shoulders and I had to admit, it felt really fucking good.

I smiled as I turned my head to kiss the top of hers. She was lying on my chest, her hair fanned out across my arm and shoulder. It was the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen in this bed, and there had been some hits.

As I thought about it though, I realized that I really was happy she was the only woman who was ever going to be in this bed again. Hopefully, anyway.

I didn’t know how to do this, but I knew I wanted her and I was determined to figure it out. Just a few months ago, I hadn’t been able to see the allure of a relationship at all, and now here I was, a little nervous at the prospect of it not working out rather than being freaked about how much I wanted it to.

Stretching out my free arm, I grabbed the remote from my nightstand and hit the button to open the electric blinds. As they rose, the sun was out in full force and it was almost blinding with all the snow on the ground and the rooftop.

I winced and tossed my arm over my eyes, and Mercedes giggled as she turned her head into my chest. “Well, that was a rude awakening.”

“You’re telling me,” I said. “It looks like even the weather is happy for us, though. I was wondering if it was only that miserable because we were.”

“That’s one way of looking at it, but it is good to see the sun again.” She rolled over to face me, smiling sleepily as she made patterns with her index finger on my bare chest. “We’re staying in bed today, right?”

“Yep. That’s the plan. We may need to get up to make breakfast, but we’re coming right back here when we’re done eating.”

She giggled. “Sounds good. Is that something I need to know about you, then? You don’t like breakfast in bed?”

I considered the question for a moment before I shrugged. “It depends on what I’m having for breakfast. If it’s you, I’ll take it any place I can get it, but if it’s actual food and it comes with crumbs, that’s a no from me.”

Those green eyes filled with barely restrained laughter as she nodded. “Agreed. Beds were not made for eating anything that has crumbs. Favorite breakfast?”

“I’m a traditional guy. Bacon and eggs. Done. Yours?”

She thought it over. “Eggs Benedict if I can get it, but otherwise I’m with you on bacon and eggs.”

I took her hand, winding our fingers together and admiring our joined hands, her slender fingers and how small her hand was compared to mine. Yet, she’s got my whole heart in them.Un-fucking-believable.

“What about dinner?” I asked. “Favorite day-to-day. Not special occasion dinner.”

This time, there was no hesitation. “Spaghetti and meatballs or mac and cheese.”

“You’re a carb girl, huh?”

“Definitely. Why, please don’t tell me you’re one of those who doesn’t eat carbs in the week?”

“I’m not.” I rested our hands on my chest and tucked in my chin as I looked down at her. “My favorite day-to-day is Chinese takeout. Pork chow mein, to be exact.”

“How many times a week do you get takeout?”

I widened my eyes at her. “That’s not a question to ask a gentleman.”

“I wouldn’t ask a gentleman, but I am asking you,” she joked. “Fess up, Wagner. How many times a week?”

“Uh, five. Five-ish. If I’m at home at night, which I obviously will be a lot more often from now on.”

Her brow furrowed as she gaped at me. “Do you ever cook?”

“No. Does anyone?”

Mercedes swallowed a laugh as she shook her head. “I do, but maybe I’m the exception. I don’t know. Would you be willing to cut down on that?”

“If you’re going to be cooking for me, hell yes. If it means I have to cook, no. But only because I don’t really want to poison you.”

She laughed. “I’ll teach you. It’ll be fun.”