Page 35 of Captivating Anika
I pull the truck up in front of the fire station and put it in park.
Then I unclip my seat belt and turn to Anika.
“For the record; Greek yogurt with blueberries is not breakfast, it’s barely a snack.”
She twists in her seat, an amused sparkle in her eyes.
“I beg to differ. It fills me up until lunchtime. No need to clog my arteries before noon.”
When I got downstairs first this morning and scrounged for something to make for breakfast, there wasn’t a strip of bacon, slice of cheese, or potato in sight. Hell, even the bread I found in the freezer looked more like something you’d stick in a bird feeder instead of a toaster.
“How can it? There’s no substance to it.” I challenge her.
But it wouldn’t be Anika if she didn’t have an answer for everything.
“Not true; I sprinkled on hemp hearts.”
“Are you talking about the teaspoon’s worth of those little crunchy bits? They were about as filling as half of a peanut.”
I can tell she’s fighting the smile tugging at her mouth.
“I’ll have you know; those hold a lot of nutrients.”
Shaking my head, I reach for the door handle. I know when I’m beat—this woman is as stubborn as they come—but I’m getting a kick out of this silly banter.
Instead of exiting the truck to get into the driver’s seat, Anika clambers over the center console to slip behind the wheel. I’m still standing in the open door, enjoying the hell out of the show.
“You’re gawking,” she accuses, giving me the side-eye.
“Admiring,” I counter. “Big difference,” I add, taking a step closer.
Then I reach in and brace a hand on the steering wheel. But before I can duck my head into the cab for a kiss, she swings around in her seat and loops her arms around my neck.
“For that, I may buy you some bacon for breakfast for next time.”
I grin. Next time sounds pretty good to me.
I slide my arms around her waist and pull her a little closer, leaning in to let my kiss convey my gratitude.
A loud wolf whistle behind me has Anika rock back and glance over my shoulder. The way she goes rigid in my arms, I know whoever whistled, Bodhi is likely standing right beside them.
“Sweetheart,” I get her attention without bothering to turn around. I’ll clear the air with Bodhi later. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, yeah?”
Her eyes come back to me and she awards me with a little smile.
“Yeah.”
“Don’t forget to take breaks today,” I urge her, giving her lips one more brush before stepping back from the truck.
“I’ll try. You, please stay safe today,” she imparts before she closes the door.
I’ll be damned if that doesn’t give me a warm feeling in my chest.
I watch Anika start backing away from the firehouse and drive away.
Then I turn around and come face-to-face with Sumo’s wide grin and Bodhi’s scowl.
CHAPTER ELEVEN