The smell hit me first. Warm. Sweet. Vanilla with a dash of rebellion. I blinked awake, sheets tangled around one ankle, hair sticking up like I'd fought a minor hurricane in my sleep, and found myself nose to mug with a steaming cup of coffee. Held by one very smug, very awake Annie. She was already dressed. My black dress shirt knotted at her waist, loose pants, damp hair dripping down her shoulders. Barefoot. Glowing. And smiling, really smiling. The kind of smile that climbed her cheeks like it belonged there.
I squinted at her, groggy. "What is this? You bribing me? You know you don't have to—"
She kissed me. Not quick. Not polite. A slow, full kiss that tasted like roasted hazelnuts and every promise I'd ever wanted. When she pulled back, she pressed the mug into my hands like a prize and signed: Good morning, lover.
I stared. First at the coffee. Then at her. "You're flirting before I've even opened both eyes?"
She nodded. Beamed. Her hands flew again. You look like chaos. I like it.
I made an affronted noise. "I will have you know this chaos is curated. Takes work."
Lie. She grinned. Then added, Thank you. For yesterday. Her smile softened, just a breath, just enough to undo me. That look that said: You saw me. And that mattered.
I set the coffee aside, cupped her face, thumb brushing her cheek. "You don't have to thank me for loving you," I murmured.
She leaned into my hand, kissed my palm, then signed: Let's do something fun. Just us. Something ridiculous.
I arched a brow. "Ridiculous? Darling, you wound me. I was born ridiculous."
Her grin sharpened. Let's do something absolutely insane.
I blinked. "This is coffee, right? Not ambrosia spiked with regret?"
She nodded solemnly. Then signed: I want to get my runes from Vitaria and Maximus.
I froze mid-sip. Nearly choked. "Wait, now?"
Her grin was answer enough. Maximus will be easy. Vitaria… we bring her in.
I eyed her slowly. "Bring her in?"
She pointed to herself with both hands, did a spin, and signed with full diva energy: I am a sexy piece of work.
Then pointed at me. You are… meh. Okay.
I dropped my head back into the pillows with a groan. "Rude."
Her shoulders shook with silent laughter. "Seriously?" I asked, peeking up at her. "Maximus and Vitaria?"
She nodded, eyes bright with mischief. I groaned. "Gods. Maximus will monologue. There will be velvet. Grapes. Probably a lecture on decadence while he feeds me wine I don't like."
You like drama.
"I like me being the dramatic one. Not that prancing peacock of debauchery out-dramaticing me."
She arched a brow. "And Vitaria…" I sighed. "She's only entertaining when she's furious. If she starts in on fertility rituals, I'm walking into the sea."
Annie's grin turned wicked. You love it.
"I love you," I shot back. "Them? I tolerate."
Perfect. Then let's go. She leaned in close, lips brushing mine, fingers spelling it out slow and sinful: I am breakfast.
I froze. Blinked. Choked on absolutely nothing. I grinned slow and sharp, like a storm deciding which city to level. "Oh gods," I breathed. "We are definitely going to hell."
Her smirk said she'd already booked the chariot. I set the coffee down reverently and prowled toward her. "You're breakfast?" My voice dropped, low enough to make the air thrum.
She nodded once. Cocky. Daring. Something inside me snapped. I moved. One arm around her waist, the other catching her wrist mid-sign, pinning it above her head as I tossed her back into the sheets. She gasped, but didn't have time to catch her breath before my mouth was on her throat, my hand sliding beneath her shirt, my body pressed flush.
"You said you were breakfast," I growled against her collarbone, nipping at her skin. "Don't be surprised when I eat with my hands."
Her body arched. My groan followed. "You're quiet," I murmured, heat dripping from every word. "But your body? She never lies."
Her thighs parted. My mouth followed. No words after that. Just sounds. Just touch. Just worship and wickedness wrapped together until she was sprawled beneath me, lips kiss-bruised, hair wild, body humming like I'd rewritten her bones.
I kissed her hard, slow, tasting sin and satisfaction. "You were right," I whispered. "Best damn breakfast I've ever had."
She tapped my chest, fingers signing one word against my skin: Again.
I laughed, low and wrecked. "Greedy," I muttered, nuzzling her neck.
Always, she signed again, fiercer.
Gods. I looked at her, at that smirk, that spark, that shameless hunger, and nearly lost myself all over again.
"You," I murmured, pressing another kiss to her throat, "are going to be the death of me."
She shrugged like it was her plan all along. I kissed my way up her jaw, slower now, softer. Anchoring myself in her. "We still have to seduce Maximus and Vitaria," I teased between kisses. "Remember?"
Her fingers traced lazily across my shoulder: Later.
"Later?" I gasped, mock-offended. "Woman, you've corrupted me. I had plans!"
She tilted her head sweetly, lashes batting. I melted. Of course I melted. "You are worse than chaos," I muttered against her smile. "And you know what?"
She lifted a brow. I kissed her again, deep and slow, my grin curving against her lips. "I wouldn't survive a single day without you."