Page 10

I stepped nearer, yawning and stretching my arms up over my head. “I did, thank you. I can’t remember the last time I had such a good night’s sleep.”

It was the truth. I usually woke up exhausted, feeling as if I hadn’t slept at all.

Jules’ eyes tracked down my body. I extended my stretch a bit, making sure that my shirt rode up.

Enjoy the show, baby boy.

“Are you hungry?” He picked up the plate of pancakes and offered them to me.

“Yeah, I’m starving. I’ll go wash my hands real quick. Barney wanted a scratch.”

“Every morning,” Jules told me as his teeth worried his bottom lip in an attempt to hide his smile.

God, he’s so fucking cute.

I had a heavenly smelling pancake on my plate by the time I joined him at the table.

“Thank you, Jules. Seriously, that’s so kind of you. I would have been okay with a cup of coffee.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. You are my guest. I…is it not normal to feed your guests? Did I get this wrong? I’m not used to human customs, I—”

“Jules, hey.” I reached out and rested my hand on his for a moment. “You’re fine, okay? I appreciate it so much. I only meant that I didn’t want to cause any trouble for you.”

“You cause me no trouble, Nikolai,” he breathed.

I licked my lips. Damn, I wanted to do something stupid—like lean in and kiss him.

“You know I was prepared to fast. This is so much better.”

Steer the conversation back to safer ground.

“If I hadn’t found you in the forest?”

“Yeah. I was going to find water and shelter for the night. That was my plan.”

“It’s a good plan. A small stream runs through the woods, not far from where we met. And along its bed you can find plenty of dry spots to spend a night.” He tilted his head toward me. “You might have been cold, though.”

“I’m definitely glad I ran into you. That bed in your guest room is fantastic.” I took another pancake and spooned a thick layer of yellow jam onto it.

Five more pancakes later—and with a guilty conscience under my belt—I capitulated.

“I wished I had room for more,” I told Jules and leaned back in my chair to give my stomach more space. “But I think I’ve reached my limit.”

Eight

Jules

Withouthissportyzipperjacket, I could see Nikolai’s burly build, his broad shoulders and deep chest, strong arms, and a narrow waist. The play of his muscles under the tanned skin fascinated me.

I doubted that all humans werethisgorgeous, but this one? I could look at him forever and never tire of his beauty.

“Thanks for the pancakes, Jules. They were delicious.” He smacked his lips. “Did you make that jam, by the way?”

“I did. It’s one of the last jars of plum jam I made last year. It was a good year for plums.”

“Oh, I’m sorry I ate so much of it. I usually don’t.” He patted his flat stomach. “But it was so delicious. Reminds me of the jam my mum makes.” Nikolai gave me a half smile that made my stomach swoop.

You can have all the jam in my cellar if I get your smiles in return.