Page 65 of Taste of Surrender

I shuffled back against the headboard, staying where he wanted me.

He walked over to my side of the bed and handed me the plate. “The bacon is a little extra crispy, but I wanted to make you breakfast in bed.”

A grin spread across my face. “Thanks. That’s so sweet.”

He arched a brow. “Sweet?”

“What? It is.”

“You can’t call me sweet.” He huffed. “I’ve got a rep to protect.”

I chuckled. “Sorry. This was super-badass-rock-star of you. Is that better?”

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips. “Much.”

When he pulled away, I grabbed a piece of bacon and took a bite. While I would have eaten it even if it was burnt, he’d actually done a decent job. “I think I like someone else cooking for me.”

He grunted a laugh. “Don’t get used to it. There are several overcooked eggs and burnt pieces of bread in the trash. I almost gave up and ordered delivery.”

“Maybe we’ll start those naked lessons soon then.”

“I won’t say no to that.”

After I finished eating, we hopped into the shower, where we spent time doing all the things we’d skipped the night before. It was nice he invited me over without any expectations, but I wasn’t about to leave his house without taking advantage of us being alone.

“I should probably head back to Jesse’s before they realize I’m not there,” I said as I got dressed.

“Yeah. Do you know what you’re going to say if he asks where you were all night?”

I shrugged. “Olivia was in her room when I left, so I don’t think she knows I took off. And I doubt Jesse’s even awake yet.”

When we were younger, Jesse rarely got up before noon when he didn’t have anything going on, and from what I’d seen on the road, nothing much had changed.

“True. He’s usually the last one out of the hotel on our travel days.”

I walked to the door, hesitant to leave but knowing it was time for me to go. One day, we wouldn’t need to hide, but Iunderstood Malachi’s reason for not wanting to tell everyone yet. He loved me, and I loved him, and knowing that meant I would wait as long as he needed me to.

Thankfully,Jesse and Olivia weren’t up when I arrived home, and I headed to the guestroom to change and then went to the kitchen to prepare lunch for them. My brother had told me I didn’t need to worry about cooking while we were in LA, but it was the least I could do for him since he was the reason I was even here and got the opportunity to reconnect with the man I thought I would never have again.

“Good morning,” Olivia greeted in a sing-song voice as she traipsed into the kitchen, Jesse hot on her heels.

I glanced at the clock on the microwave. “It’s hardly morning anymore.”

“Hope we didn’t keep you up last night.” Jesse laughed as he started making coffee for him and his fiancée.

“Gross.” I pretended to gag.

“How are you feeling this morning?” my brother asked.

“I’m fine. Just a little tired.” It was true but not for the reason he was likely thinking.

“What are you making?” Olivia peeked over my shoulder as I threw some pine nuts into the food processor to make a pesto sauce.

“Thought pesto pasta with chicken would be good.”

“I’m going to miss your cooking when you guys get back on the road.” She gave me a side hug.

I looked at her and furrowed my brow in confusion. “You’re not going to be with us?”