Page 16 of Only His Girl

Sensing my presence, he glances over his shoulder and nearly drops the spatula. His gaze rakes over me hotly, lingering on my bare legs. "Christ, Willow, are you trying to kill me?"

"Who, me?" I ask innocently, slipping onto one of the kitchen stools. "I'm just here for the pancakes."

He mutters something that sounds like "tease" under his breath and turns back to the stove. A few moments later, he slides a plate piled high with food in front of me.

"This looks incredible, Heath. You've outdone yourself." I pick up my fork and dig in, moaning at the first delicious bite. "Oh my gosh, this is so good. I think I could get used to you cooking for me."

"I plan on cooking for you a lot," he says, dropping a quick kiss on the top of my head as he rounds the counter to take the stool beside me. "Among other things."

The heated look he gives me promises all sorts of delicious wickedness to come. I shiver in anticipation.

"What's on the agenda for today?" I ask around a mouthful of eggs, trying to distract myself from the growing ache between my thighs.

Heath shrugs one muscular shoulder. "I cleared my schedule. I'm all yours."

The simple statement thrills me more than it probably should. The idea of having Heath all to myself, even if only for a day, is beyond tempting.

"Careful, I might hold you to that," I tease, jabbing my fork in his direction. "I have big plans for you, mister."

"Oh yeah?" His lips quirk. "Do these plans involve clothing? Because I vote no."

I roll my eyes even as a laugh bubbles out of me. "You're insatiable."

"Only for you, sweetheart." His gaze gentles, turning serious. "I can't get enough of you."

My heart stutters in my chest. I set my fork down and reach for his hand, winding our fingers together. "I feel the same way. I've never...it's never been like this for me before."

"Me neither." He lifts our joined hands and presses a kiss to my knuckles. "You're something else, Willow. Something special."

Special. There's that word again. And he's right - this thing between us, it is special. Precious. Worth fighting for.

Worth taking a risk on.

"This is nice," I say softly, glancing around the cozy kitchen, the remains of our breakfast spread out before us. "Just being with you like this, talking, having a normal morning together."

"I know what you mean." He strokes his thumb over the inside of my wrist, his touch sending tingles up my arm.

I scoot my stool closer so I can rest my head on his shoulder. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me tighter against his side.

"Thank you for not giving up on me," I murmur into the crook of his neck. "For making me safe enough to let you in."

"You make it easy, Willow." He drops a kiss on my hair. "Easier than I ever thought it could be."

We sit like that for a long moment, just holding each other, savoring the quiet intimacy.

"You know, as much as I'm enjoying this," Heath says eventually, a smile in his voice, "I seem to remember a certain someone promising to have her wicked way with me. I'd hate for you to break your word..."

A surprised squeak of laughter escapes me, and I lean back to look at him, one eyebrow arched. "Why, Mr. Donovan, are you trying to seduce me?"

The heat is back in his gaze as it drops to my mouth. "Butterfly, when it comes to you, I'm all about following through."

And then he's slanting his lips over mine, kissing me with an urgency that steals my breath and sets my body on fire. Breakfast sits forgotten as he boosts me onto the countertop, stepping between my parted thighs...

A strange metallic creaking sound suddenly draws my attention upward.

"Did you hear that?” I ask.

Heath glances up too just as a spray of water bursts from the fire sprinkler right above us. I yelp in shock as the icy deluge hits my skin.