Chapter 22
Tess
I woke up at my usual hour the next morning even though it was a Saturday.
My face exploded into a big grin the second I felt Liam next to me and I realized I was in his bed.
He was sleeping on his belly, completely uncovered.
How could he be so damn sexy? Those muscles in his arms and legs seemed sculpted, that ass…
damn, damn, damn. I barely kept from fondling it.
Along his shoulder blades he seemed stiff and cramped.
Hmm…I was concocting a plan to change that.
First things first, I had to get out of bed before I woke him up.
I tiptoed around his bathroom, carefully rinsing my mouth with toothpaste to get rid of morning breath.
I sprayed his deodorant on my armpits before sliding on yesterday’s jeans and sweater.
I turned the panties inside out and didn’t bother with the bra.
I purposefully didn’t look in his direction while sneaking out of the bedroom; I really didn’t think I could resist touching that gorgeous body.
Once I closed the bedroom door behind me, I darted right to the living room.
It was even more gorgeous in the morning.
The sun shone through the enormous windows, bathing half the room in light.
I loved the shades of blue everywhere. There were dark-blue pillows on the couch and a huge matching carpet underneath it, paired with silver accessories. It made me think of the ocean.
I eyed the marble kitchen island with the splendid hanging lamp over it.
Would Liam mind that I was wondering around his apartment on my own? I hoped he didn’t, because my plan was hinging on exploring his kitchen.
I discovered a well-stocked pantry and went to town on it, taking out half the ingredients and laying them out in front of me for inspiration.
Okay, I know just what this morning needs.
I found a pan and a spatula and got to work. I was really hoping Liam wouldn’t wake up until I was ready. That way, I could surprise him with breakfast in bed.
I poured milk in the pan, then the contents of three nearly empty cereal boxes.
“When did you wake up?” Liam asked, startling me.
“About twenty minutes ago.”
He was right in front of me, only wearing shorts. The counter was high enough that I could pretend he was naked. Oh, yum…
“You can’t stay there,” I informed him in a mock-serious tone. “Remember what happened last night?”
“We didn’t even make it to the kitchen. This is an actual improvement.”
“But only because I snuck in while you were still sleeping. Anyway, you look as if you’re naked, and it’s totally messing with my concentration.”
He looked incredulous for a split second before bursting out laughing.
Then he came over on my side. Yeah…did I really think this was the best strategy?
Having those sculpted muscles within reach was messing with me even more.
I wanted to reach out and feel that sexy-as-hell five-o’clock shadow against my skin.
I wanted to trail my mouth all over his abdomen.
I could have Liam for breakfast every single day.
By the mischievous smile on his face, he knew exactly where my mind went.
“Should I go out of sight completely, Ms. Winchester?”
“Yes, please.”
I thought his smile seemed rather smug as he disappeared from my peripheral vision, but I didn’t realize what he was up to until I felt him at my back. He palmed my ass with both hands before sliding them to my hips, pressing himself against me.
“Hey, you cannot pinch my ass while I’m cooking,” I warned Liam. “I could burn myself.”
I was holding the spatula like a sword.
“You don’t make the rules, Tess,” he whispered in my ear, fondling my ass some more for good measure.
Hmmm…clearly I needed another tactic.
“I’m about to charm you with my unparalleled cooking skills, so I need you to behave.”
It was a good thing he was behind me, because he couldn’t see the huge grin on my face. It bordered on suspicious, but I just couldn’t help myself.
Today was such an amazing day. For one, it was Saturday, which was my favorite day of the week. And the most important part: I was spending it with a delicious man. Could this get any better?
I loved his fondling, but I wasn’t lying. I was in danger of hurting myself, because his touch was messing with my focus.
“What if I do this?” He wrapped his arms around my waist tightly, kissing the side of my neck.
“Hmmm…if you promise to keep those hands right where they are,” I said, stirring the mix of cereal into oatmeal.
“You mean it’s not okay if I do this?” His voice was deceptively innocent. He slid one palm down past my navel. I swatted it away before wiggling my ass right against his hard-on.
He groaned and pulled back a few inches, just out of my reach.
I looked at him over my shoulder, wiggling my eyebrows. He stepped sideways, leaning against the counter and flashing me one of those gorgeous smiles that just made my heart—hell, my whole body—sigh.
“I’d admonish you for flashing me a panty-melting smile this early in the day, but I like it, so no harm done.”
He grinned devilishly, leaning in. “And you think that’s gonna make me keep my hands to myself?”
I giggled. “It was a mistake fessing up to that. I’m not that sharp without coffee.”
He looked at me with warm eyes. “I’ll make us some.”
“Yes, triple shot please.”
“Duly noted. I didn’t even know I had these cereal boxes,” he said, watching me sprinkle peanuts and pistachios in the pan.
“I picked them because they were nearly empty.”
“Why? I have some unopened ones too.”
“I know. I saw them, but I didn’t want these to go to waste.
I bought this book when we moved to New York about how to cook cheap but nutritious meals, and it had really useful tips about how to do a week’s shopping and how to make the most out of leftovers.
Mom was so happy when I showed it to her.
I’ve followed those instructions for so many years that they’re honestly second nature now. I hate throwing away food.”
“You manage to surprise me every time we’re together.”
“It was such a hard time for Mom. She’s always wanted to be financially independent after that. And I think I sort of learned that from her. My family often offered to finance store-related things, but I always felt like it could get messy.”
“I don’t think it would. Not from what you’ve told me about your family.”
“I know, I know. It’s just been this weird pattern thought I’ve always been fighting. Still am fighting.”
“Everything in due time, Tess. Did your mom remarry?”
“She did, actually, but only after we’d all grown up. Her husband, Mick, is an amazing guy.” He handed me a cup of steaming coffee, and I immediately sipped from it.
I felt him move up behind me again, hand firmly on my waist. Smiling, I plunked the cup back on the counter, pretending like nothing was happening, even as he slid his hands down my hips again. He was so naughty! And I loved it so much.
“Hey, don’t distract me. I told you I need to focus on this. I’ve lost practice at cooking. I practically live on takeout nowadays.”
He parted my hair, freeing the back of my neck and planting a kiss right there. I shuddered.
“So, you’re experimenting on me?”
I giggled again. What was it about him that kept making me giggle?
“I guess you could put it like that. All right, I’ve finished. Let’s put it on plates so it cools off a bit.”
Five minutes later, it was time for the big test. I was a little nervous, because I hadn’t made this in years. I just wanted to do something nice for him.
I took a spoonful and smiled while swallowing.
“This takes me right back to my childhood days. Pistachios were not in our budget, so we only bought those as a treat every two months. What do you think?”
“It’s very tasty. Especially the mix of jams.”
I was smiling from ear to ear now, super happy that he was enjoying himself. My plan was working! He seemed worried last night, and I was hoping the Tess Winchester treatment was going to get him out of his funk.
“Why are you so quiet?” he asked.
“Oh, just got lost in my head for a bit.”
“I could see that. Where did you go?”
I grinned. “Just mentally going through the plan for today.”
“Let’s hear it.” He took another mouthful of oatmeal, looking at me expectantly.
I dangled my feet under the table, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Well, the plan is adaptable. I was actually thinking more about the goal.”
“Which is?”
“You seem a bit tense.” I wiggled my eyebrows. “I’m going to do something about it.”
He looked at me as if I caught him completely off guard.
“How could you tell?” he asked.
“Your shoulders are a bit stiff. I felt that last night when I was exploring them.” With a wink, I added, “I double-checked this morning as well, while you were asleep.”
His blue eyes held a mix of playfulness and emotion I hadn’t expected. We both finished our oatmeal in silence and then cleaned up the table.
“I need another coffee,” I announced, heading with my cup to the coffee machine. “I want all my neurons to be awake while I put ‘the plan’ in motion.”
The sound of the beans being ground filled the space, so I didn’t hear Liam when he snuck up behind me. I didn’t swat him away this time, not even when he feathered his fingers seductively from my shoulders down over my breasts. My nipples perked up.
Since I didn’t have to be careful not to burn myself or the food anymore, I could let him fondle me all he wanted. That was part two of my plan.
“I’ve never had this,” he said quietly into my neck.
I froze a little, wondering if I crossed some boundaries, if I was being overwhelming.
“And you…you like it?” I asked, unsure.
He whirled me around, his gaze hard.