Because this moment? This is so damn sweet, so damn powerful. He said I shatter him, but he's the one who shatters me.
When he can breathe normally again, he lifts his head and looks at me, presses his lips to my forehead. "Stay."
I close my eyes and nod. "Okay."
Chapter Twenty
Ava
"Good morning, sleepy head."
"Ugh. Too early, you sex fiend." I start to turn away from Lucas's cheerful greeting, but then smell coffee. "Is that … ?"
"Yes."
I open my eyes. The first thing I see is him-freshly showered and in a casual white cotton shirt and old faded blue jeans. His dark gaze is soft and bright, and the morning light hits the beautiful, straight blade of his nose and the sharp angles of the cheekbone I can see. My breath catches. I've never experienced waking up with him. And I like it. Too much so.
Suddenly shy and discomfited by the thought, I sit up and extend a hand for the coffee. I inhale the deep aroma and take a sip. It flows over my tongue like an elixir. "This is really good."
"Only the best for my girl." Lucas sits next to me. "As much as I'd like to have you sleep as long as you want, it's already ten. And you have a spa appointment at eleven."
"Ten? I never sleep that late."
He grins at me, entirely too happy. "Well, I kept you up."
I take another sip. "And I kept you up. Insatiable beast." As I shift, my body protests, making every little ache and soreness known. Still I can't complain. It was for a good cause, and I feel like I just conquered Mount Everest.
I get out of bed carefully, holding the mug. "I'm going to finish this coffee and take a shower."
Lucas checks out my naked body, scraping his lower lip with his teeth. Even though the heat in his look sends a pang of lust through me, I wag my finger.
"Remember the appointment at eleven?"
He sighs. "You might want to shower first. I ordered room service about ten minutes ago."
I nod and chug down the coffee as quickly as I can while starting the water. Steam fills the bathroom. Placing the empty mug by the sink, I hop into the shower and wash efficiently. The moist heat helps loosen my muscles, and I feel much better.
By the time I'm out and finish applying some lotion to my skin, I hear dishware rattling around outside. Gotta admire Japanese efficiency.
"Food's here," Lucas announces from the living room.
I go out, tying the sash around my robe. "What did you get?"
"A couple of egg omelets and ham and sausage."
"A man after my own heart. And croissants too?"
"Of course. And apricot jam." He pulls out a chair for me.
Taking my seat, I give him a small smile. "How did you know?"
"When we were flying, you didn't touch anything except the apricot jam with your bread and croissants." He sits across from me and twists the jar open.
"I won't have much time to linger over our meal."
"If you're calculating travel time, don't. The spa's inside the hotel."
I give him a stern look. "Do you have any idea how much it costs to go to a hotel spa?"
"Do I look like the type to care?" His smile is completely unrepentant. "Now, say thank you and enjoy your meal."
"Thank you. But you really didn't have to." I lower my eyelashes. "I could cancel it and spend the rest of the morning in bed with you … "
"Much as I appreciate the gesture, I'm not letting you cheap out on me." He reaches over and takes my hand. "I want to spoil you, Ava. I haven't been able to do anything for your birthday or holidays in the last two years. So let me."
Gifts. Things. I can't help but feel sort of blah about them. "Okay."
I can sense him withdrawing at my rather tepid response. Oh come on. He's trying. And isn't this what you wanted? Give him a chance. He isn't like your father.
I muster a high-wattage smile. "A spa does sound like fun." I take a bite of the egg omelet, which is excellent-fluffy and light, almost like a soufflé. "But now I have to think about what I'm going to get you."
Relaxing a bit, he says, "You don't have to give me anything."
"But I haven't gotten you anything for your birthday for two years either."
He gives me an odd look. "It's enough that you're with me."
Surprised, I study him. It's obvious he means what he said. It's sweet, but it won't be enough for me personally. If we apply this logic, then being together should be enough for both of us. I'm not sure why I'm so reluctant to just accept all his extravagant gifts, but somehow I am.
"Be gracious and say thank you, Ava," he says with mock sternness.