Rolling my eyes, I hid my face at the crook of his neck. Another chuckle left him at my bashfulness.

“Don’t hide yourself from me. I love when you turn all red because of me.” Pulling away, he grazed his fingers across my cheek. His intense gaze roamed my every feature as a breath left his lips. “I’m still wondering if you’re real. If you’re really here in my arms, in my bed with me.”

My heart tugged at his words. I snaked my arms around his neck. “It’s real. We’re real. And I’m not going anywhere. Never again.”

Placing his forehead on mine, he peered into my soul. “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this moment. I didn’t know if I’d ever be lucky enough to have you in my arms like this. But you fulfilled that dream of mine. And I can’t thank you enough for giving me this chance, baby. Thank you so much for forgiving me. I promise I’ll make it up to you for the rest of our lives.”

Something fluttered into my chest. Rest of our lives?

A happiness bloomed inside me. He wanted a future with me just as much as I did.

“I love you,” I whispered, my eyes burning with emotions slamming into my chest.

He kissed me deep. “I love you more.”

I wanted to argue, but the grumble of my tummy decided to interfere, turning me beetroot.

Pulling away, he laughed. “Come on, let’s get you freshened up. Then I’ll cook something for my Rosebud.”

I didn’t complain when he scooped me into his arms again and took me to the bathroom.

“Pancakes?” he asked, once done with the egg scrambles.

I nodded, chewing on the slice of apple he had cut for me to eat until he made some breakfast for me. I offered to help, but he denied and said I shouldn’t move much due to our wild activities last night. Though I wanted to say I was fine, I enjoyed the pampering. So, I let him have his way.

Dangling my feet from the kitchen counter, I watched him move around the kitchen with utmost ease. The way his back muscles flexed along with his movements had my mouth water. Not to forget those delicious abs.

While mixing the batter, his gaze kept flickering to my exposed legs. The T-shirt he made me put on reached my mid thighs. After he gave me a warm shower, surprisingly, he didn’t try anything naughty other than feeling my chest once. And seeing his lingering gazes, I could tell he was enjoying the view very much.

“Eyes on the batter, mister. I want my pancakes to be perfect,” I teased.

He raised a brow. “And what should I tell you? Eyes on the apple?”

He noticed me staring at his abs?