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I tossed the bag onto the floor while he turned down the blankets. “No. Just manifesting what I want by speaking it into existence, and I want you.” I gestured to the bed and said, “Now, let’s get to cuddling.”
“God, you’re bossy.”
“You like it.”
Abe cupped my face and lowered his head. “I love it.”
We shared a long, languid kiss that left us boneless and breathless. I reluctantly pulled back before we could get something started. “Get in.”
“So bossy,” he grumbled as he slid between the sheets.
I turned off the lamp, eased in after Abe, and spooned around him, wrapping an arm around his waist, kissing a path along his neck, and nibbling on his earlobe.
“I never knew love like this existed,” Abe said, his voice a husky timber in the dark that made my toes curl.
I placed a kiss on the back of his neck and said, “Me either.” Abe rolled over in my embrace to face me. A shaft of moonlight shone through the parted curtains, making his blue eyes glitter with an inscrutable expression I read as doubt. “I’ve loved before but nothing like this. All love isn’t created equally, and what we have is special.”
“It’s scary,” Abe admitted.
“But we’re worth the risk, Abe Beecham.” I brushed my hand along his cheekbone and trailed a finger over his lips.
“Hell yeah, we are,” he whispered huskily before pressing his lips to mine. We kissed and touched until neither could keep our eyes open. Bliss enveloped me when I finally gave in to exhaustion.
Abe
Slow to anger, slow to rise. That was my mantra. I didn’t like to lose my temper, and I really resented early mornings. The idea of waking up in Lio’s arms was enough to change my opinion about the latter, but opening my eyes to find him missing put the former in jeopardy as well. For fuck’s sake, it was still dark outside, and his side of the bed was cold. He hadn’t made a quick trip to the bathroom. Hell, had he even been there? Had kissing and cuddling with Lio been nothing more than a dream?
I turned on the lamp and saw the indent in his pillow. I lifted it to my nose and inhaled deeply. Lio had definitely slept beside me. I’d recognize the scent of his shampoo anywhere. Then I spotted his overnight bag on the chair in the corner of the room. My disappointment ebbed about the same time I smelled bacon frying. Breakfast was a consolation prize I’d gladly accept, though I’d prefer to share it in bed with Lio. Hushed voices coming from the other side of the cabin cast serious doubt it would happen. I reluctantly rolled out of bed and put on a pair of jeans, a thermal shirt, some socks, and my flannel from the previous day. After stopping at the bathroom to brush my teeth and relieve myself, I padded down the hallway to see who else was up.
Lio and Allen stood in the kitchen, talking quietly and working together to make breakfast. Jeremy was nowhere in sight, so he was either sleeping in the guest room or had left. I leaned against the archway and observed Lio turning strips of bacon in Lucinda’s large cast-iron skillet while Allen whisked eggs in a bowl. A pot of coffee brewed on the counter next to the sink. Lio and Allen were dressed similarly in sweats, long tees, and running shoes. The backs of their shirts looked damp, so I figured they’d gone out for an early morning run. I wished Lio had woken me, but I understood why he hadn’t. Slow to rise and all that.
“Abe likes peppers, onions, and cheddar cheese in his eggs,” Lio said. He was always looking out for me in big and small ways, and it stirred warmth in my gut.
“Sounds great to me,” Allen said.
“I diced extra last night when I made chili.” Lio set the metal tongs on the stove and turned toward the refrigerator. That’s when he spotted me leaning against the wall. A slow smile spread across his face. “Creeper,” he teased. “How long have you been standing there?”
I straightened and strode across the kitchen to reach him, then cupped the back of Lio’s neck and kissed him. The embrace was short and chaste but necessary as if I needed to prove I could kiss him anytime I wanted.
“Good morning,” Lio said.
“It could’ve been a great morning if you hadn’t gotten up so early.”
“Um, hello,” Allen said. “You’re not the only two people in the room.”
Lio and I exchanged smiles before I faced our friend. “Good morning to you too, Allen.”
“Good morning,” he replied cheerfully. His approach to early mornings was drastically different from mine. “Peppers, onions, and cheese,” Allen said to Lio.
“Coming right up.”
I reluctantly released Lio and retrieved four coffee mugs from the cabinet, setting them next to the pot. Allen whistled as he and Lio continued making breakfast. I eyed the coffee, knowing I’d need a full pot to myself.
Lio nudged me with his elbow. “Go ahead and make a cup. Mornings aren’t your strong suit.” I didn’t dispute his assertion or decline his suggestion, but I did pour mugs of black coffee for them too.
“You’ve got toast duty,” Allen told me.
“French or regular?” I asked.
