Page 137 of Naughty November

Everything was different.

We’d kissed.

And touched.

And fucked.

We exchanged “I love yous” but what did that mean for us?

Kieran halted in the doorway. “Iggy, you’re awake.”

“Umm, yes. I was making breakfast.”

“Cereal?” He placed the paper bags in his arms onto the counter, came around the island, and kissed me. “I was hoping I’d get back before you woke up. How are you feeling? Are you uncomfortable?”

I squirmed. Oh, not a good idea. Hopefully, it didn’t show on my face. “It’s not too bad.”

“You can take some ibuprofen. Did you?”

I shook my head.

“Don’t move.”

He ran up to the bedroom and returned with two pills and a glass of water. “Here you go.”

My heart melted. He was so caring. What did it matter if I woke up alone this morning?

“Thank you.” I took the pills and swallowed them down with some water. The pain wasn’t unbearable, but I’d sooner not feel like I’d taken a bulldozer in my ass.

“I bought you a fruit parfait.”

He had bought me more than a fruit parfait. The aroma of warm croissants, coffee, and assorted pastries filled the kitchen, and my stomach growled.

“This looks so good.”

“So I can take this away?” He took up my half-eaten bowl of cereal.

“Yeah.”

He kissed my bare shoulder. “Stealing my shirts again?”

“Hey, after last night, whatever’s yours is mine.” Oh shit. We’d just had sex, not gotten married. What the hell was I saying?

He grinned. “Sounds good.”

He dumped the cereal into the trash. “Anything else of mine you’d like?”

“A hug?”

“Oh, baby.” He enveloped me in his arms, in the warmest hug I could ever ask for. It was like a warm fire after being out in the cold. The rainbow after a thunderstorm. I buried my face into his chest, taking in a deep breath, and…a sob came out.

Kieran went rigid. “Iggy?” He tried to pull back, but I clung to him. “Iggy, what’s wrong? Did I do something?”

“I woke up alone.” The words tumbled out of my mouth despite my desperate attempt to keep my feelings under wraps. “I didn’t like it.”

Good god, what was wrong with me? I released him and scrubbed my face. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right.”

“But it’s how you feel, isn’t it?” He brushed the tears away with the backs of his hands. “I didn’t mean to leave you alone, I promise.”