AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m okay.” Mrs. Czerski was flushed but talking.
A few settled back into their chairs, but Mikah moved toward a closet. “I’ll get a broom.”
Piper dropped her napkin on the spreading red wine, but she needed a towel. She stepped over the puddle and hurried to the kitchen and grabbed the cup towel from the stove handle. She checked the cupboards by the stove. The cheery orange box of baking soda was right in the front. She snagged the cleanser and walked back while ripping open the lid. Other napkins had been tossed onto the spill. Piper dropped the dishtowel to mop up what she could and then dumped out the baking soda to soak up the wine before the liquid stained their marble.
“Very resourceful,” Mr. Czerski praised Piper.
Francesca’s face was pinched. “She knows her wine.”
Oh jeez, that was a jealous look. There was plenty of cleaning to do. She’d let her have at the paste with the mop after the soda did its absorbing. Piper returned to the kitchen and washed her hands. The scrape of glass against marble meant Mikah was sweeping. She lingered, and he joined her, adding his soaped-up hands with hers under the warm water. The image of them in a shower flickered through her, warming her up. She tilted her head up to his.
Mikah flicked a bubble at her, winked, and grabbed extra napkins. They returned and took their seats. They were a good team.
Francesca wore a pout. “I would have gotten to her. Your technique. You have to be careful with people’s ribs.”
Mikah put his hand on the back of Piper’s arm and gave a supportive squeeze. “Piper did a great job.” He sounded sincere.
Him. She liked.
* * *
After dinner, they were going to check out what was on TV. Piper bowed out, pleading jet lag that she didn’t have.
Mikah walked her upstairs. “You’re tired?”
Tired of his people. “Thought I’d watch a movie cuddled under a blanket and wind down.”
“I could watch a movie.”
Warmth flickered through her. Sometimes he phrased things which such an odd cadence, and she couldn’t guess his intent. Most guys would just be like, I’m in. “You want to hang?”
He nodded easily. They crawled onto the guest bed and scrolled through the options and snuggled together to watch a suspense flick. She was comfortable, hyperaware of him, and confused.
* * *
Morning light shined in, making her blink and pulling her gaze to the window overlooking the water. Gorgeous. Last night, she had no clue why they lived here. Today the blue lake sparkling through the window answered that question.
“Hey.” Mikah’s deep-voiced murmur came from beside her.
Piper’s heart thudded, and she rolled toward him. Dang, he was handsome. Messy hair. Morning scruff added sharp definition to his handsome features. He looked like they were having the morning after a naughty night. Too bad they hadn’t. Resisting the instinct to roll against him, she settled back against the pillow. “Hey.”
He stroked the side of her face. She shivered.
He leaned forward and kissed her, a light, wonderful good morning. Chemistry shimmered through her body, and she shifted closer.
Mikah followed, leaning his weight against her. He felt so good. This was the first time they’d gotten horizontal together. Piper put her arms at his waist and tugged on the hem of his t-shirt so she could tunnel her fingers underneath. Mikah’s body responded to her every touch with a flattering responsive tensing.
Sexy.
Piper parted her lips, and the kiss deepened and grew needier. She alternated between flattening and caressing her palms against his abdomen. His physique awed her and invited further exploration.
Mikah cupped her head with one hand and roamed his fingertips from her jaw, down her neck, over the fabric of her sweatshirt. He gently squeezed her breast.
“Mmm.” His touch buzzed through her nerve endings.
Mikah pressed against her.
Piper moved to her back, letting her legs separate to cradle him.
