Page 45 of The Decoy

“Sup, buddy,” I say, setting down my coffee mug. I reach over and scratch him behind his floppy ear. “Is our girl up? Is that why you finally got out of bed?”

Oshie waits patiently behind Buck, her tail thumping against the floor.

It’s been nearly three weeks since the playoff loss, two weeks since the dinner at her parents’, and a new routine has been settled over my life like a tailored suit.

Since my off-season has officially begun, Ellis stays with me three to four times a week. She and Oshie usually drive in from the city wearing a tired smile, kicking her heels off at the door before sinking into my chest on the couch. Sometimes, I drive into the city and pick them up and bring them back to my place when she doesn’t need her car, or she’s too tired to drive.

I stand and walk toward the stairs, climbing them until I reach my master suite. The door is cracked open an inch, letting out the faint scent of vanilla and cedar. Our combined scents.

I push the door open quietly and lean against the frame, crossing my arms over my chest.

Ellis is buried under the duvet in the center of my bed, still fast asleep. Only her dark hair and one bare shoulder visible above the sheet. The room is dark, the blackout shades keeping the morning at bay, but faint light from the en suite windows highlights the line of her delicate jaw.

Her body is definitely changing now. It’s almost as if the minute she told her family, she popped. Her hips are slightly softer, breasts fuller, and her belly is bigger and draws my hand like a magnet every night before we fall asleep.

I step in and walk quietly to my side of the bed, crouching down on one knee.

I reach out, my calloused fingers gently pushing a lock of hair from her cheek, and rest my hand there. She stirs at my touch, a soft hum escaping as her eyes flutter open.

“Morning, Princess,” I mutter, my voice soft.

Her eyes are a bit glassy as she looks at me, a lazy smile spreading across her lips. “What time is it?”

“Just past six,” I say, leaning in to press a lingering kiss to her forehead. “You don’t have to be downtown until later this morning, right?”

“Mhmm. I have a meeting at noon with the creative team,” she mutters, turning her head into my palm. “Did the dogs go downstairs?”

“Yeah, they just came down, so I thought you might be up. I’ve been up since five, though,” I reply, running my thumb over her cheekbone. “I’ll start breakfast if you’re ready. I can make some eggs, avocado toast, and that decaf berry tea you’ve had a craving for lately.”

Ellis sits up, letting the duvet fall from her body, exposing her breasts. She looks at me for a minute, her eyes searching my face with a look that makes my chest tighten in the best possible way.

“That sounds amazing,” she says, reaching out to trace the dark stubble lining my jawline. “But aren’t you supposed to be resting your body instead of waking up at five to play chef for me?”

“I’m good. Besides, resting my body is boring,” I grunt, capturing her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. “Taking care of you isn’t. Get up, let’s eat, and I’ll take you back into the city.”

“Brody, you don’t have to drive me to Midtown every time I have a meeting. I can call our driver.”

“I know you can,” I say, looking into her eyes. “I just prefer knowing you’re safe, especially when the roads are icy. Besides, it gives me an excuse to spend time with you before you’re swallowed up in meetings for the day.”

Ellis stares at me, the warmth in her gaze deepening until she leans forward, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me into a deep morning kiss. Her lips are soft and warm.

“Okay,” she breathes against my lips. “Feed me, then.”

A few hours later, we’re in my truck on our way to Manhattan. The winter sun is high in the sky, casting a pinkish orange glow across the Hudson River. Beside me, Ellis has her laptop open on her lap as she reviews a deck for her afternoon meeting. Normally I bring the dogs, but today I was going to head back home after dropping her off.

I keep my left hand on the steering wheel, but my right hand rests on her knee, right next to her laptop, my thumb absentmindedly stroking against her wool pants.

“So,” I speak up, breaking the quiet. “I forgot to tell you, but your mom called me yesterday.”

Ellis’s head snaps up from her screen, her eyes widening. “Molly, my mother? Called you directly?”

“Yep,” I chuckle, my eyes fixed on the road. “I was just finishing up my workout, and my phone kept buzzing. I thought it might be my agent.”

“Oh God,” Ellis groans, slumping back against the headrest. “What did she want? Please tell me she didn’t say something outrageous again.”

“No, though now that you mention it, she did ask if I eat enough leafy greens,” I smirk, glancing over at her. “Mainly she wanted to make sure we were still planning to come over next weekend. She said you aren’t answering her calls, and she has three different interior designers flying in from London and Paris with fabric samples for the nursery, and she wants to make sure we’re there for the initial mood board reveals. Whatever that means.”

Ellis covers her face with both hands, letting out a long, dramatic sigh. “I’m going to throttle my mother. I told her we’re coming, but I just want a relaxing weekend with them so they can get to know you.”