Page 58 of Jenna's Protector
“That was awful.” I groan at the terrible pun, swatting him playfully on the arm.
“Yeah, well, so is this bacon.” He pokes at the blackened mess with a spatula, sending another puff of bitter smoke into the air. “Officially ruined.”
“I should open some windows.”
The fan over the stove struggles to clear the billowing black smoke. Already, it fills the room. I wave my hand in front of my face, trying to clear the air.
“I think it’s safe to say breakfast is a bust.”
“I wanted to make you something nice, and instead, I nearly set your kitchen on fire.” Carter turns to me, his expression softening. “But, I have to say it was worth it.”
“Definitely worth it.” My hand lifts to rest on his cheek. “The thought was sweet, but the kiss… That kiss was…”
I trail off, heat rushing to my cheeks as I remember the warmth of his lips pressing against mine, the way his hands tangled in my hair, sending shivers down my spine, and the delicious thrill that coursed through me.
Best damned orgasm ever.
“Just the kiss?” Carter’s eyes darken, his gaze dropping to my mouth and then further down.
“Well, the kiss and the…”Do I tell him?
“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue? Or is this my woman pretending she’s shy about what we just did.”
His woman? I like the sound of that.
Shy? Not shy exactly, but he just had his head buried between my legs and his mouth… His mouth and that decadent tongue were phenomenal. It’s not shyness. I’m simply not used to talking openly about sex.
His heated gaze makes me tremble. For a second, I think he’s going to kiss me again, and my heart kicks into overdrive, but then he clears his throat, stepping back slightly.
“How about I take you out for breakfast instead?” He brushes astrand of hair behind my ear, his touch lingering. “There’s a great little diner down the street.”
As tempting as the offer is, the thought of abandoning my café for even longer sends a pang of guilt through me.
“Actually, I need to get to the café. I’ve been neglecting it, and I don’t want to leave Malia in a lurch again.”
Carter’s shoulders relax, but a flicker of disappointment flashes in his eyes. An idea strikes me, and I reach out to take his hand.
“But why don’t you and Max come with me? I’ll make you a coffee. We can have scones, and we can sit and talk before the morning rush hits.”
“That sounds perfect.” His face lights up, a genuine smile spreading across his handsome features.
Warmth spreads through my chest. The significance of his willingness to join me at the café fills me with a sense of contentment.
“Great. Just let me get changed, and we can head out.”
Taking a look around, I see the mess we’ve made—the burnt food, dirty dishes, and the general chaos of my usually tidy kitchen—and I don’t mind it one bit.
The air remains charged with the palpable chemistry sparking between us. A glimmer of something new, something precious and fragile, is blooming between us.
I have a pep to my step and a new vitality surges through my body. It’s strange how Carter has this effect on me. He turned an ordinary morning into something extraordinary.
This thing between us—feels real, like the beginning of something more than a fling. My heart flutters at the thought, and excitement bubbles up inside me.
However, the urgency of getting back to reality and back to work helps me focus. I slip into the bedroom, pulling on my usual attire—a pair of comfortable jeans and a soft, loose-fitting cotton shirt that somehow always smells faintly of cinnamon and vanilla, the signature scents of my café.
As I brush my hair, I take a moment to look at myself in the mirror. I can’t help but smile.
The reflection shows a woman transformed, her eyes sparklingwith a newfound excitement. My face has a radiance, a glow that wasn’t there before.