The mug is perched at her lips and her butt almost hits the chair beside me before she shoots up. “Eggs,” she says. She skirts by me, her coffee forgotten on the table as she restarts her busy fussing in the kitchen. I stalk up behind her, lift her up and carry her to the table. I settle her into my lap, locking her against me despite her squirming.

“I was going to make breakfast,” she whines.

I shake my head, handing her the coffee mug.

“Sit still and drink your coffee.” She crosses her arms and glares at me. I let out a long sigh. “Just take a breath. I want five minutes of peace to enjoy my first morning with my girlfriend.” I kiss her cheek and nuzzle against her neck until she finally relents.

“Fine. Five minutes.” She relaxes into me and we drink our coffee together in blissful silence. “This is nice.” I grunt in acknowledgment.

She lets out a long, happy sigh, then downs her coffee and pops up with the indomitable spirit of the first daisy in spring. She steps between my thighs, kicking my knees out wider. One hand on her hip and the other palm up, right in front of my face, she demands, “Now, give me my panties back. I’ve got places to be.”

I keep my eyes locked on her, take a slow sip of coffee and smirk. “No.”

Both hands are on her hips now. “Yes,” she says, her tone stern.

“No.”

“Yes!” She narrows her eyes and purses her lips in mock indignation.

I set down my coffee and interlock my fingers behind my head. I cock an eyebrow and repeat, “No.”

She crosses her arms, trying to maintain a frown while a playful grin emerges on those pink lips. “Why are you obsessed with the word no? It makes up half of your vocabulary.”

I wrap my arms around her and pull her down into my lap again. I take a deep breath, her usual sweet vanilla scent replaced by the smell of my soap and the lingering hint of sex. “Maybe I like making you scream yes.”

She slaps my chest with a soft chuckle. She drops her forehead to mine, shaking it. “You’re such an animal! I can’t believe I’m in love with you.”

Every muscle in my body tenses. I turn to a lump of cement. What the fuck did she just say? She lets out a gasp when my arms tighten around her.

“Holy shit. I said that out loud this time, didn’t I?” She leans back, shooting her hands up to her mouth and clamping down like she’s afraid of what else might come pouring out.

My heart’s raging in my chest, trying to break out. Break free. I lock my jaw and breathe quick, shallow breaths in and out through my nose.