Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
A slow smile spread across his face.
“Well, that’s good.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want it to end either.”
Something inside me seemed to loosen then. Some tight knot of fear I hadn’t even realized I was carrying began to unravel.
Kor leaned forward and kissed my forehead.
“Now that we’ve established neither of us is going anywhere, can we move on to more important matters?”
I frowned.
“More important matters? Like what?”
“Breakfast.”
I laughed.
“Breakfast?”
“Absolutely.” He nodded solemnly. “A man can’t survive on love alone.”
“You can’t?”
“Nope. A man needs waffles.”
“Specifically waffles?” I asked, delighted at his playfulness. Carter had never been playful. He’d never been anything but cranky and disapproving.
“Specifically waffles,” Kor agreed. “Though pancakes are also acceptable in emergencies.”
I laughed again.
“I’ve never had a pancake emergency.”
“You’re lucky—a pancake emergency can turn into a very sticky situation. Because of all the syrup, you know,” he said, totally deadpan.
I swatted at his arm.
“Kor!”
“I know, I know—sorry for the Dad joke.” But the laughter in his warm brown eyes told me he wasn’t sorry at all.
“Well, since we don’t have a pancake emergency, I vote for waffles this morning,” I said.
His eyes lit up.
“Excellent choice, sweetheart. I just happen to be the foremost waffle chef in this entire area.”
“Meaning the area including the house?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.
He grinned and nodded.
“Exactly.”
I laughed and swatted at his arm again. I loved his sense of humor—I loved being with a man who made me laugh instead of making me cry. It was such a new feeling, and I couldn’t get enough of it—or of Kor.
A little while later we were downstairs in the kitchen together. Morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows, turning the granite countertops gold. I found myself smiling as I gathered ingredients while Kor rummaged through cabinets looking for the waffle iron.
“Found it!” he announced triumphantly, holding it over his head like a trophy.
“You know, most people would have looked in the pantry first,” I pointed out.
“Where’s the fun in that?” he asked.
“The fun is not emptying every cabinet in the kitchen.” I shook my head as I put the blender back where it belonged.
He shrugged.
“I was conducting a thorough investigation.”
“You were making a mess,” I said with mock severity.
“I prefer the term strategic exploration.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You sound like a little boy.”
“Excuse me, I’m a very large boy.”
That made me laugh so hard I had to put down the mixing bowl I’d been holding so I didn’t spill it.
Kor grinned at me.
“There it is.”
“What?”
“That laugh.” His expression softened. “I like hearing it.”
I felt myself blush and looked down at the batter.
“Come on now, don’t say sweet things to me when I’m trying to concentrate.”
“Sorry,” he murmured.
“You’re not sorry.” I pointed the whisk at him and nearly dripped batter on the floor.
“No,” he admitted with a naughty grin. “I’m really not. I like making you blush…and making you laugh…and making you moan.”
That made me blush even harder as I remembered the way he’d made me moan the night before. My whole body felt alive this morning—as though his touch had woken me up somehow.
By the time the batter was mixed, Kor had the iron heated and ready to go.
“You know,” he said thoughtfully, “This is the first time I’ve ever made waffles with a beautiful woman.”
I rolled my eyes.
“You’ve dated before.”
“Sure. But I’ve never made waffles with anyone I dated.”
“That’s oddly specific,” I remarked.
He shrugged.
“It’s an important milestone in any relationship.”
“Is it? Waffles are a relationship milestone?”
“Of course. Everyone knows that,” he said.
I narrowed my eyes.
“I think you made that up.”
“Maybe.” He grinned at me—that warm, sunny grin that was pure sunshine. I felt warm all over when he looked at me like that. I loved cooking with him—loved our silly banter. He felt like more than a lover—he felt like a friend. And the Goddess knew, I hadn’t had many of those in my lifetime.
The waffles turned out perfectly golden and crisp. While they cooked, Kor sliced strawberries and simmered them with sugar until they became a thick, syrupy sauce.
When he finally set a plate in front of me, I stared at it in amazement.
The waffles were golden and steaming. The strawberry sauce glistened ruby-red in the morning sunlight. And he’d even found a can of whipped cream in the fridge that was still good to top each waffle with a light and airy cloud.
“Kor,” I said. “This looks incredible.”
“Taste it before you compliment,” he said. “It’s been a while since I made waffles—they might be awful.”
“I doubt that,” I said, laughing.
I cut off a bite and popped it into my mouth—my eyes nearly rolled back in my head at the heavenly taste. The waffle was light and buttery and the strawberries were sweet and bright. The whipped cream added just the right amount of creaminess.
“Oh my Goddess,” I breathed.
His whole face lit up.
“Good?”
“Good?” I took another bite. “Korwyn Jamison, if this Alpha Pack Leader thing doesn’t work out, you could open a restaurant.”