Page 47 of From Grumpy to Forever
I was so lost in her, that I’d almost forgotten the entire reason for the kiss in the first place.
Behind me, Jacob cleared his throat loudly. “Bacon’s going to burn.”
“Oh!” Avery pulled back, and I instantly missed her lips on mine.
So much for trying to get my raging desire for this woman under control. My dick was once again fully awake.
I took the opportunity to give her one more kiss before stepping back and turning my attention to the bacon—which was not, in fact, going to burn—on the stove.
“Sorry, man,” I said over my shoulder. “Forgot you were here.”
“Uh-huh.”
I grinned to myself. Hell, maybe I was going to like this little game after all. Pretending to be Avery’s husband, first at the wedding and now, right here at home, definitely had perks. A whole lot of perks.
Avery had recovered from my unexpected greeting and had hopped off the counter. “Coffee, Reid?”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” I turned to take the cup from her and gave her another kiss. “I just can’t keep my hands off her,” I said to Jacob. “You know how it is, right? When you find that person you just can’t stay away from.”
Judging by the look on his face, Jacob did not know what it was like. I leaned up against the counter and sipped my coffee for a few minutes, letting the silence grow.
After a few minutes, Avery moved past me with a platter of toast and bacon. “Breakfast is ready.” She set the food on the table and looked at me expectantly.
The last thing I wanted to do was leave Avery alone with this asshole, but I had a busy day ahead of me. Besides, I knew she’d be able to hold her own. “I’ll take mine to go, sweetheart.” I gave her an apologetic smile. “I promised Grayson I’d be at the store first thing to pick up our lumber order. And then I’m going to head over to the shop and get a few things set up there this afternoon. I was hoping to take you over and…”
“Sorry.” Her lips dipped down, but I stopped her before it could turn into a frown.
“It’s not your fault.” I winked at her. “Unexpected houseguests are just that—unexpected.” I moved to the table and built myself a breakfast sandwich with two pieces of toast, some bacon, and a fried egg from the plate. “How long are you planning to stay, Jake?”
“It’s Jacob.”
“Whatever.” I shrugged and took a bite of my sandwich. “The airbed can’t possibly be very comfortable.”
Truthfully, it wasn’t terrible. But compared to the warm coziness of Avery’s bed, it might as well have been a slab of concrete.
“It’ll do,” Jacob said. “For now. But we’re going to have to order some guest beds if we plan on?—”
“We don’t plan on anything.” The spatula still in her hand, Avery crossed her arms and glared at her cousin.
Oh yes, she’d be able to handle herself just fine.
“Reid and I have a plan to finish the renovations and get ready for a grand opening,” she continued. “You don’t need to concern yourself with any of it, Jacob, because the inn is mine and not yours.”
“For now.”
“No.” She jabbed the spatula in his direction. “Forever.”
My phone vibrated in my pocket. It was Grayson. Shit. The order had arrived early.
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry.” I held up my phone. “I can tell him?—”
“No. Go. I’ve got this.”
I gave her a questioning look that I hoped told her I would change every one of my plans if she needed me to.
“Really, Reid. I can handle this.” She waved the spatula, which was starting to look like a weapon. “Besides, there’s nothing to handle. The inn is legally mine whether he likes it or not. Jacob probably just wanted to come to see it one last time before he accepted that as fact. Isn’t that right, cousin?”
Damn, Avery was good. She knew what buttons to push, and she’d done it with that sweet smile on her face.
