Page 66 of A New Chapter

Chapter 32

Emma awoke the next morning to find Zack’s handsome face peering down at her, and it took her a moment to get her bearings. “What time is it?” she muttered. She was definitely not a perky morning person.

“Unfortunately, it’s time for me to go,” Zack said.

Emma forced her eyes open a little wider and realized that he was poised above her on all fours, looking fully alert and well-rested. “Go? Why? What time is it?” she repeated.

“It’s nine o’clock, and Gracie is due home at ten.”

“Oh, ok.” She didn’t try to hide the disappointment in her voice.

“I wish I could stay longer, but Alicia has some event to go to, so she has to bring Gracie back early. I have an idea though. Why don’t you come over and have brunch with us in a little while?”

Emma perked up a little at the invitation. “Really?”

“Yes,” he said and chuckled.

“Why are you laughing at me?”

“Because you’re adorable in the morning,” he replied, and he started to go in for a kiss.

She quickly turned her head to the side so that he caught her cheek instead. “I probably have horrible morning breath,” she explained.

“Let me be the judge of that.” Zack forced her head back to center and covered her protests with his mouth.

His warm, wet, delicious mouth tasted minty fresh, and when they broke apart, Emma swatted him on the arm. “No fair. You already used mouthwash!”

Zack chuckled again and hauled himself out of bed. Apparently he had removed his shirt sometime during the night, and Emma was treated to a daytime view of his gorgeous body. Zack’s sweats hung low on his hips, and she admired his backside as he bent down to retrieve his shirt. She continued to admire his form while he pulled the shirt over his head and then ran his hands through his hair as if to tame it. Emma wished that her hands were in his hair instead, or on his biceps or his abs or his…

“Em? You want to walk me to the door?”

“Yeah, sure,” she replied, and she sighed when she crawled out from under the covers.

He trailed her down the stairs until they stood by the front door. “What time will you be over?” he asked while twirling a lock of her hair.

“What time do you want me?”

Zack’s eyes lit up with desire. “All the time.”

Emma took a step closer to him. “You could have had me last night, but you wanted to cuddle instead.”

“Ugh. Did I use the word cuddle?”

Emma giggled. “Not specifically, but you get my point.”

Zack pulled her against him and buried his head in her neck. “I won’t make that mistake again,” he murmured against her neck.

Emma pushed her hips against his to remind him of what he had missed out on. They kissed for a few more minutes before reluctantly parting.

“Come over soon, ok?” Zack said on his way out the door.

An hour and a half later, Emma was greeted at Zack’s house by a very exuberant four-year-old.

“Daddy, Daddy, she’s here,” Gracie called while she led Emma into the kitchen.

“Well, good morning, Emma. Nice to see you up and about.” He winked at her over their shared secret.

“Daddy’s making waffles,” Gracie exclaimed.