She entered the open-plan kitchen and walked over with determined steps to this sexy man, sitting at the table, just about to take a bite from his partially burnt toast. He held it still mid air to his mouth and studied her as she climbed onto his lap, straddling his strong thighs.
Her palms covered his beard, and she leaned in to give him a sweet kiss on his full lips. She held his gaze. “Just so we’re clear. This was great and all—”
“Hmmm. Just great, eh?” he said while grabbing a stronger hold of her bum.
“Yeah. Wasn’t it?” she shrugged.
“It was more than great, Lips. And because I realize I’ve spooked you last night with what I said, I won’t repeat my words. I’ll tell you this, however; I never expected an eleven year younger filly—”
She held her fingers against his lips. His eyes grew wide before he narrowed them.
“Just… enjoy this. Stop talking about whatever feelings you think you have.”
He swatted her butt as to motion for her to stop her line of thinking.
“It’s true. It’s a very good possibility I’ll be leaving for good. You said you wouldn’t get in between me and dancing.” She raised a brow and held his eyes.
He swallowed and nodded once.
“Okay then. Let’s eat.”
She climbed from his lap after giving him one last peck and sat next to him at the kitchen table.
“So, what are we having?” she said with clasped hands against her chin, glancing around the full table, growing more and more enthusiastic by so much mouthwatering smelling food.
He cleared his throat and blinked once before shaking his head.
“Uhm, yeah. I figured one couldn’t go wrong with a simple toast and fried eggs and bacon, but just in case, I’ve also made a bowl with some fruit for you. I hope you like bananas, apples, and blueberries? That shit is good for you.”
She smiled at his last statement. Who knew this burly, older man could be so soft and sweet? He was just like a stuffed animal. From the outside, he was a wild beast, but he was all squishy and soft on the inside. She chuckled and shook her head.
“What?” he said with a smile in his voice.
“Nothing, just…” She shrugged. “I like you.” She said before she could stop herself. She trained her eyes on her plate. As she smeared butter on her toast she said, “But I’m still going to Jersey.”
He hummed but said nothing back. So she risked a glance next to her and directly met his blazing eyes. She shot from her chair. She opened the fridge and asked, “Do you want some orange juice?”
He huffed a breath and said, “Yeah. That would be great.”
She scanned the fridge from top to bottom, but came up empty. “You’re outta luck, there’s none left.”
When she closed the fridge and walked back to the table, she halted mid-step when he was in the middle of pouring a second glass of OJ with a shit-eating grin.
“What the fuck?” she spat at him.
“Well, it stood right in front of you, Lips. But I guess you—” he started. But she would not stand for him calling her out on running from him after admitting she liked him.
“Ah, shut yer handsome face. I just woke up. Give a girl a break, will ye?” she said as she plopped down next to a smiling Brennan.
“Talkin’ like a true Irish lass. Pops would be so proud of ye.” He laughed.
Thankfully, he was smiling again. She didn’t want to risk having a Broody Brennan at this table and held her tongue while she ate her toast.
“Since we’re both free today…” he said while picking up a slice of apple, “Maybe we could do something together?”
He studied her reaction as he put the whole slice in between his juicy lips. Her thighs clenched at the memory of these same lips pleasuring her last night.
Just before she wanted to tell him no, he held up his hand and said, “Just as friends… with benefits. Does that work for you?”