Page 36 of Blood Sugar

Blood rushed out of my brain and headed south, and I had to take a calming deep breath. “That sounds good—maybe in a bit? Right now, I’m thinking… coffee? Do you want a shower?”

“Yeah, I should shower,” she said, perching on the foot of the bed. “Did you say something about clothes?”

“Amelie keeps a stash of clothes in my guest room. Want me to get you something?”

Tilting her head, she regarded me, that dimple reappearing in her cheek. “I think I can pick out my own clothes. I’m not sure I trust you with that yet.”

“We slept together last night, and you don’t trust me?” I huffed.

Sadie raised one manicured eyebrow.

“I mean, we slept in the same bed,” I amended.

A lyrical chuckle trailed behind her as she sauntered from the bedroom. My cheeks burned. Shaking my head, I stumbled out of bed and headed to the bathroom, taking a five-minute shower. When I emerged in only a pair of sweatpants, Sadie was waiting for me at the kitchen counter.

Her blonde curls were pulled into a fluffy bun, and her face was scrubbed clean of makeup. If anything, she was more beautiful, her wide eyes bright and her beautiful mouth soft.

She wore a simple sweater and a pair of black yoga pants. Luckily, she was about the same size as my sister, even if she had to cinch the waist because the bottoms were too roomy.

What would my sister think of Sadie? What would my dad think of her? My stomach lurched at the idea of Sadie meeting the rest of my family. They’d love her, of course. Who wouldn’t?

“You’re staring,” Sadie said, her hands grasping the collar of the sweater nervously.

“Sorry,” I said. “You’re beautiful. It’s hard not to.”

Crossing the living room, I stooped to kiss her forehead. Her hands brushed my stomach but fell away.

“You’re such a flirt,” she muttered.

I froze mid-step. “Do you know how hard it was to keep my hands off of you? Even when I was so frustrated, still, all I wanted to do was grab you and kiss you senseless.”

“Oh,” Sadie said, her fingertips pressing to her mouth. Her gaze traveled the room, her index finger tapping that lush, bottom lip. After a moment, she turned, her brows pinching in guilt. “I kept wearing cute outfits, knowing they got your attention.”

“That was intentional?” I said, laying my hand flat on the counter and leaning forward so I could look down at her.

She swallowed. “Yeah, I couldn't help it. I was hoping I could have my cake and eat it too.”

“Sadie.” Her name was a prayer as I buried my face in her hair, my hands gathering her to me. “You absolutely destroyed me.”

“Sorry,” she whispered, but I could hear the smile in her voice. Her lips trailed the softest kisses over my collarbone.

“Don’t apologize,” I murmured. “Breakfast.”

Peeling myself away from her, I focused on the task at hand. I rarely made myself breakfast, but I had eggs, bread, milk, and parmesan. That was enough to make something for us. Hopefully she’d be impressed.

Sadie watched from where she sat, her head resting in her palm with her elbows on the counter, as I cooked. The familiar motions felt special when I was cooking for her.

The creamy eggs slid on the plates beside the toast. “Here, it’s not much, but it should taste good,” I said.

“Rowen, this is amazing. I never get nice breakfasts like this.” Grabbing the fork I offered, Sadie dove into the food, leaving me frowning over her words.

Settling beside her, I ate my own food. In the past, I wouldn’t worry about breakfast, but I was hoping to feed Sadie with my blood, so breakfast was now a priority.

She sat back, coffee cup in hand, and watched me finish my meal. “So what now?”

“We have a few deliveries to make, but they can wait until the sun goes down. I suppose we have nothing to do for the next three hours.”

“You don’t have to go down to the bakery?”