Julia
The aroma of bacon assaulted me as I emerged from the bedroom after getting ready for another fun-filled day of promotional events. This time, I had a day packed with influencer meetings, as well as a book signing later in the afternoon. I was already exhausted just thinking about all the “people”-ing ahead of me.
But when I walked into the kitchen and saw Lachlan moving bacon around a frying pan, all my negative thoughts about today quickly disappeared. I hadn’t expected him to make me breakfast. The steak last night was a treat. But two meals in a row?
“A girl could certainly get used to his,” I remarked, sauntering toward him. “Keep it up, and I’ll have to get you an apron of your own.”
“Would I have to be naked underneath it, too?” He waggled his brows.
“Well, that’s a given.”
“I like the way you think, Julia Prescott.” He lowered his mouth to mine. I curved into him, running my fingers through his silky hair.
“And I like the way you taste, Lachlan Hale.”
Groaning, he deepened the kiss, his tongue swiping against mine briefly before he pulled back.
“Don’t distract me, or I’ll ruin the bacon and the pig would have been slaughtered in vain.”
“We can’t have that now, can we?”
“Certainly not.” He winked. “Now, how do you like your eggs?”
“Unfertilized, thank you very much.”
He laughed as he used a pair of tongs to flip the bacon. “I like this side of you.”
Glancing over his shoulder, he met my smile as I made my way to the opposite side of the island and hoisted myself onto the barstool, a glass of orange juice and a steaming cup of coffee waiting for me. To my surprise, it was prepared precisely how I liked it. It was only our second morning together, yet he remembered how I preferred my coffee. Such a little thing. Something most people wouldn’t think a big deal.
But for me, it meant he paid attention.
That he listened.
That he cared.
“But seriously.” He lifted his eyes to mine. “Over-easy good for your eggs?”
“Perfect.”
He beamed, then re-focused on the stovetop, flipping the eggs in the pan with ease.
Bringing my mug to my lips, I took another sip of coffee as I admired him. There was something so normal and domesticated about watching him cook me breakfast. For a moment, I allowed myself to consider what it would be like to have this every day.
To wake up in his arms. To lose myself in him first thing in the morning. To shower together while he treated me to another mind-blowing orgasm. Then to get dressed while he made us breakfast.
The image in my mind was so clear, as if it were reality.
But it could never be mine.
Not with my past.
I wasn’t destined to have a happily ever after, especially with someone like Lachlan.
Even if it weren’t for Nick, we were at two completely different stages of our lives. I’d already been married. Had a teenage daughter. Could I really expect him to be okay with that? To sacrifice having a family of his own?
He may not think so, but he deserved the life he’d always dreamed of.
He’d never have that with me.