Page 34

DANIEL

I think I am in heaven. I sigh and nuzzle my head in her breasts. “ Tch .” Anya groans. “Stop moving,” she says.

I look up at her smiling. “Why?”

“You feel amazing in my arms,” she says as she tightens her arms around me. I chuckle.

I like being the big spoon while cuddling, but I guess Anya brings out this new side of me that even I did not know about. I can’t help but smile at her words, feeling a warmth spread through me as I nestle closer.

“Now, stop staring,” she whines, her eyes still closed. I snigger.

“I told you already: I can’t get over how beautiful you are,” I state.

She finally opens her eyes and tilts her head downwards to look at me. Sunlight hits her brown eyes, turning them gold. They look like pools of honey. Soft and warm and kind.

“Don’t lie.” She huffs. “My hair is a mess. I have puffy eyes. And my cheeks feel like they are on fire. You find me beautiful even now?” She frowns .

“Especially right now. ” I kiss her collarbone. “You are always beautiful. Even when you are not trying. Even if you drowned in a pool of garbage, I’d still find you beautiful.”

Her face twists in disgust. “Why would I be in a pool of garbage, Daniel?” She cocks an eyebrow.

I ignore her and continue kissing her collarbone, working my way up to her neck. She lets out a soft moan, her head tilting back in pleasure.

She pushes me away. “I am hungry.” She pouts.

“I have something you can snack on, Firecracker,” I tease, winking at her. She rolls her eyes, but a slight blush spreads across her cheeks.

“I meant real food, you idiot,” she retorts, but there’s no real bite in her words.

I laugh. “Fine, fine. I’ll go make us something to eat. How does a homemade breakfast sound?”

“Delicious.” She grins and gives me a double thumbs-up. I chuckle, getting up from the bed. I put on my sweatpants. Anya’s lips dart out and she bites her lower lip. I smirk.

“Can you take these flowers and put them in a vase?” Anya asks, her voice sultry. I nod. “Before that, can you give me one flower from your bouquet? I want to preserve it.”

“How will you preserve it?” I ask, genuinely confused.

“I will put it in a book. It will dehydrate the flower. Then I can always keep it.” She smiles.

“You don’t have to. I will give you flowers every day if you want,” I say.

“I know, but I want to keep these. So, choose one flower from your bunch and give it to me.” She sits up, stretching her arms. I pick out a bright daisy from my bouquet and hand it to Anya. She takes it with glee.

She is holding the daisy like it is the most precious thing in the world and it makes me grin like an idiot. I can’t help but think how easy it is to want to give her everything. I grab the pancake mix from the cupboard and set to work. I give her a quick peck on her nose, pick up the bouquets, and make my way to the kitchen.

The pan sizzles as I pour the batter onto it. I glance over my shoulder and catch Anya walking into the kitchen. I turn around.

“Is that my hoodie?” My eyes rake over her body. She looks so pretty, the sleeves too long for her, completely dwarfing her small frame. My heart skips at the sight of her in my clothes.

“Yeah. You don’t mind, do you?” she asks.

“Do you want another one or two?” I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her.

“No, I am fine with this one.” She hugs me back and sighs.

“Too bad. I would have loved to see you submerged in my clothes.” I rest my chin against her head.

“Shut it.” She swats my back. “Return to your work, captain.” She pushes me away.

I chuckle as I step back to the stove. “Yes, ma’am!” I say, saluting her playfully.

As I pour another round of pancake batter into the pan, I can feel her watching me. “So, what’s your favorite pancake topping?” I ask over my shoulder, trying to keep the conversation going.

“Definitely maple syrup,” she replies without hesitation. “But I wouldn’t mind some whipped cream and cherries.”

I laugh at her delightful enthusiasm for food. “Alright, we’ll make it a pancake extravaganza. Syrup, whipped cream, and cherries coming right up!” She laughs, the sound musical to my ears. I can’t help but beam as I flip the pancakes; her laughter is contagious.

I stack the pancakes high on a plate, the warm, sweet scent filling the kitchen. “Look at this masterpiece!” she exclaims, grinning widely.

“Dig in, Firecracker,” I say, pouring syrup over my stack.

She follows suit, dousing her pancakes in syrup and adding a dollop of whipped cream and a handful of cherries. I can’t help but laugh at how serious she looks as she meticulously arranges everything.

“Now, this is a breakfast,” she says, taking her first bite. Her eyes go wide and a smile spreads across her face. “Oh my god, Daniel! These are incredible!” She does a happy dance, and I laugh. “I can never get over your pancakes.”

I take a bite of my own and nod in agreement. “I might just have a future in culinary arts,” I say sarcastically.

She laughs. I watch her as she eats her pancakes, carefree, unaware of the rest of the world. It is embarrassing that I am jealous of her food now.

Anya picks up a cherry, its deep red skin gleaming in the light. She holds it delicately between her fingers. As she takes a bite and I gulp. I extend my hand. She cocks an eyebrow. “Spit,” I command. “The seed.”

She smirks as she holds the seed between her teeth and leans down to drop it in my palm. She kisses my finger and looks up at me as she sucks at the syrup on my thumb.

I shiver. “Firecracker.” I groan. “Do not tease me.”

She raises her hands in surrender and straightens up. “Apologies, captain.” She grins. I shake my head, trying to hide my smile. What am I going to do with this woman?

“I have a question for you,” she says, chewing her pancake. “I saw this reel on Instagram. The girl asked her boyfriend if he would kiss her for $1 or kiss Emma Watson for $10,000. What would your response be?” She tilts her head, narrowing her eyes at me. I chuckle.

“That is a very simple baby.” I push my plate aside and lean forward pecking her lips. “I would pay $10,000 to kiss you,” I say, my mouth still hovering over hers.

She gasps and blushes furiously. “What is wrong with you?!” she exclaims. I chuckle, taking a seat. I love seeing her so red.

She leans back in her chair, avoiding my eyes, and cuts the pancake. She brings it to her mouth slowly, sighing as she takes the bite and closes her eyes.

“Are you full?” I frown.

Her eyes flutter open. She gives me a small smile. “I can manage.”

“No.” I take her plate. “I know you do not like wasting food,” I say softly. “I will finish it for you.”

“How do you know that?” she whispers, her eyes wide.

“I don’t know. I just picked it up. You never once wasted anything we ate at the cafe or your place or mine, even when you were struggling.” I shrug. “Although, I would like to know why you do it.” I tilt my head as I study her.

“My mother always says we should be grateful for what we have, so I try to gobble up everything.” She chuckles. “Back in India, we used to get leftovers packed and we gave it out to the homeless.”

“That’s nice.” I smile. “So, if I promise to always make pancakes, will you keep letting me take your leftovers?” I ask, trying to keep the mood light.

She chuckles, shaking her head. “You’re so ridiculous, Daniel. But I wouldn’t mind as long as they’re this good.”

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