Page 71 of Mr. Red

I remove the covers from her body in a swift lift, pick her up, and carry her over my shoulder. I’ll just take her out to the kitchen so I can have eyes on her.

“Matt! What the hell?” she screams.

We head into the kitchen where I plop her on the couch. I ignore her death stare and make coffee. She has her head leaning on the edge of the cushion with her eyes closed. She’s going to fall asleep on me.

I hand her the vanilla latte she loves. “Wake up, Scarlett. Smell the coffee.”

She opens her eyes and takes the mug. “Since when is it necessary to wake up before the vacationer is ready? We just went to bed.”

I go to brew my own cup of coffee. “No girlfriend of mine is complaining, especially when there are numerous fun activities instore for her today.”

Before she can hide her reaction, she gives a goofy smile at the sound of “girlfriend.” This is going to be fun. I’ll play my own little game: how many times will Scarlett smile when I call her my girlfriend?

I sit next to her once my coffee is done, putting her legs over mine as we sip from our mugs. Once my coffee is empty, I get things going.

“Come on, sweetheart, let’s get ready for the day.” I tap her legs. “We’ll start with breakfast.”

“It’s not right to be so cheerful in the morning.”

“How can I be anythingbutcheerful around my girlfriend.” I wink.

She blushes and rewards me with another goofy smile. It’s too easy. She doesn’t stand a chance.

I pick her up bridal-style and start towards the bedroom to get dressed.

“Matt! You can’t just manhandle me whenever you want becauseyouwant to do something.”

“I just did.”

“You’re absurd! I’m an adult, you know.”

“Oh, I hadn’t gathered that. Thanks for clarifying.”

After I plop her on the bed I choose anactualbikini. Nothing like whatever she had on the other day. Then I pick some shorts and a tank top, which I throw at her as a cue to get dressed. She does with a series of humphs and ughs.

“Keep making noises and see what ends up in your mouth,” I tease.

“That would waste more time.”

“Smartass,” I mumble.

She smiles, looking triumphant.

I push her towards the garage once she’s dressed, then drive us towards a little town with a few options to eat.

I parallel park and pull up to a small breakfast place with vegetarian options galore. The patio is on a deck overlooking the ocean.

“Okay, breakfast first.” I take her hand to help her out of the car and lead her towards the restaurant,Breaking Eggs.The potato pancakes are my favorite. Each table has a checkered tablecloth and a flower in the middle.

A waitress with blonde hair pulled back in a low bun comes over once we sit. She’s wearing the standard uniform here—black pants and a white shirt. “Goodmorning! What can I get started for you?”

Scarlett is still looking over the menu. I’m about to piss her off right now, but I’m sure she’ll thank me later.

“We would like a coffee, a vanilla latte, an order of the potato pancakes for my girlfriend, and an order of bacon and eggs plus a side of potato pancakes for me, please.”

Yep, dagger eyes are pointed right at me. The girlfriend comment didn’t work this time. Shit. This woman has to argue with me about everything. I love it.

I thank the waitress as Scarlett reluctantly hands over her menu.