face. He works efficiently, dropping batter onto a skillet.
“You’re making me pancakes?”
His head comes up, and a grin spreads over his handsome-as-sin face as he takes me in from head to toe.
“I thought you’d be hungry,” he says.
“You thought right.”
I could sit on one of the stools at the island, but instead, I walk around and hug him from behind, pressing my cheek to the center of his back.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning,” I reply before letting go and walking over to the coffee machine to brew myself a cup. He’s quiet while he flips pancakes, and I pour cream into my coffee. When I turn around, I find him staring at me. “What?”
“You look good in my kitchen.”
I grin as I boost myself onto a stool and watch him as he puts the finished pancakes into the warm oven, then pours more batter onto the skillet.
“How do you feel this morning?” he asks.
“Fine. Not hungover like I thought I would be.”
He nods. “That’s good.”
I narrow my eyes, watching him. Finally, he sighs and looks me square in the eyes.
“Why is this awkward?”
“I don’t feel awkward.” I tilt my head. “Do you regret last night?”
“Not even a little.”
“Is it weird because of my age?”
He blinks at me and then smirks. “No. Not even a little.”
Well, at least there’s that.
“Then I’m not sure what the issue is. Amazing, consensual sex is nothing to feel awkward about.”
His shoulders relax, and I immediately jump off the stool and circle the island to stand next to him.
“Wait. Did you think you took advantage of me because of the whiskey?”
He shrugs a shoulder. “I know you had your wits about you. You weren’t that drunk, but I wanted to make sure that you’re still okay with everything that happened.”
I find myself softening toward him more every day. Shawn is a thoughtful man.
I boost myself up onto the countertop and fist his shirt, pulling him between my legs. My hands glide up his chest and over his shoulders, and then my fingers dive into his hair as his head lowers to mine.
“Coworkers with benefits is the best idea you’ve had since I met you,” I say against his lips.
His arms encircle me as his mouth plunders mine. Without breaking the kiss, he reaches over and unplugs the skillet, making me grin.
“I didn’t give you permission to wear this,” he says.
“Oh, sorry.” I slip the shirt over my head and set it on the counter next to me. “I’ll be sure to ask next time.”
But he’s no longer listening to me. His green eyes are the deep color of grass on a rainy day as his gaze roams my chest, and then moves farther down. His hand glides up my thigh, and then two fingers are suddenly and expertly inside me. I gasp and hold onto his shoulders as he moves his hand.
“Ah, shit.”
“Watching you get worked up is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” His voice is Irish when he’s turned on, and it only turns me on more. “That’s it, love. I fucking love it when you flush like that. Just for me.”
He kisses my neck, drags his tongue up to my ear, and I’m helpless to do anything but ride his hand.
I fumble with the shirt next to me, and when I find the condom, I hold it up to him.
“Fuck me, Shawn.”
He growls, deep in his throat. “Good girl.”
He can’t tear it open fast enough, and when he’s finally sheathed, he pulls me to the edge of the countertop and easily slides inside me, making us both moan in delight.
“Like a damn fist,” he mutters.
I can’t respond. I can only hold on as he fucks me—on his countertop. And when we’re finally sated and catching our breath, he takes my face in his hands and looks me deeply in the eyes.
“For as long as you’re here, you’re mine. Understand?”
“Yeah. Back at you.”
He grins and kisses me deeply, then tugs the shirt back over my head.
“If you stay naked, I’ll keep fucking you, and we’ll never eat.”
Mom: Hello dear. I haven’t heard from you in a couple of weeks, so I thought I would check in.
I read the text and roll my eyes. I love my mom. We get along great, and since my dad died about five years ago, we’ve grown even closer. She’s awesome.
But she’s also fabulous at guilt trips. The phone works both ways. If she wants to talk, all she has to do is call.
Rather than text her back, I dial