CHAPTER10
Derek
Iwake up with a yawn and the early morning light in my face. I crack my neck and stretch one arm over my head, feeling the pull of the muscle down my shoulders and back.
Only one arm though, since my sweetheart is sleeping on the other. Her head rests on my bicep. My arm’s sore and stuck under her weight, but I don’t want to move.
She looks so innocent in her sleep. She’s too beautiful to disturb, too peaceful.
I lay my head back and stare at the ceiling. I’m such a selfish fuck.
But she feels so good. So right.
I know I’m not any good for her, but I’m not willing to just let her go. I know what it feels like to lose her. I don’t want to feel that ever again. I’ll lie, cheat, steal, whatever the fuck I have to do to keep her.
I’ll make it up to her. I’ll keep all the bad shit at arm’s length and as far away from her as I can.
I can do that for her.
I turn my head back to her and gently kiss her hair. She sighs softly, nestling into me.
A small smile hits my lips. I can’t help what she does to me. Just being with her makes me feel like a better person, like I can be a better man. She’s always made me feel that way though, even now when I know I can’t.
I gently pry her off of me, scooting away as quietly as I can. She responds with a soft moan of protest in her sleep before rolling over.
I wait with bated breath as she turns her back to me, restlessly settling into the comforter trying to get comfortable until she’s still and her breathing steadies.
I’d love to watch her all day, but I need to feed my sweetheart. I want to keep her happy and make sure she doesn’t regret this.
I’m quiet as I sneak out of the room, careful not to disturb her more than I have to. I take one last look as I carefully open the door, the soft creak making her stir in her sleep.
The only other person in the house is Ma. I’m used to making the two of us breakfast, although lately she hasn’t had much of an appetite. The thought makes me feel uneasy as I make my way down the stairs.
Ma’s room is much closer to the kitchen than the upstairs bedrooms; I’m sure she’ll hear me as soon as I start cooking. I get the pans out, making as little noise as possible. Heating up the first skillet, I grab butter and eggs and get to work. It’s not long until I hear a noise behind me, before I can even get the first plate ready.
I turn to look over my shoulder as I crack another egg on the side of the pan.
I thought Emma was beautiful in her sleep, but the way her hair is gently mussed, making her look well-fucked, combined with the sleepy look still in her eyes... she’s more radiant now than I’ve ever seen her.
I could wake up to her every morning. “Do you eat?” I ask her.
She huffs a small laugh, tucking her hair behind her ears as she leans against the wall to the doorway and finally looks up at me. “Yeah, I eat.” There’s a small smile to her lips that makes my chest swell with pride.
I give her a cocky smirk as I say, “I thought you might.”
I turn my back to her, getting back to the eggs and flipping them. “You want to grab the bacon out of the fridge, Sweetheart?”
I hear the soft pad of her feet as she walks behind me on the tiled kitchen floor. I can’t get over this feeling that she’s going to leave me. That I’m not good enough, and I need to work harder to keep her. I don’t know how to make it go away.
“Are you going to cook for me?” Emma asks with a hint of humor. I turn to see Emma close the fridge door by pushing it with her hip.
“I like to cook.” I shrug as I answer her. It’s true. It’s always been a hobby of mine. Ma says she used to watch the cooking channel when she was pregnant with me. She couldn’t get enough of those shows. She thought I was meant to be a chef. I don’t know about all that, but I fucking love food. Who doesn’t?
“Well, I could definitely get used to that,” Emma says as she puts the package of bacon on the counter. She stands there next to me for a moment without saying or doing anything, just looking at me. I can tell she’s a little uncomfortable, wondering where all this is going.
“Could you now?” I ask her playfully, trying to put her at ease. She looks up at me with those beautiful eyes of hers, a soft smile on her lips.
“It depends on what you want in return.” Her voice is breathy and flirtatious, making my dick stir in my pants. I have to readjust myself and ignore the pan to turn and face her. Damn, the things she does to me. There’s just something about a good girl being bad for me that makes me want to move the world for her. But I don’t have time to respond. Instead a noise behind us distracts both of us. It’s Ma.