Atzi hates it more than anyone else. I’m not surprised when she looks up, narrowing her gaze.
“What?” I ask innocently while setting the travel mug in front of her. “That’s usually what they call you when we go to Starbucks.”
“Not true. It’s been Lacy, Assy, Matzy.” She rubs her chin. “There was Liz, and let’s not forget the day someone called me Mazeltov. No one ever called me Jatzee.”
“I remember that, you almost murdered the guy.”
“I mean, there’s a difference between I changed a letter and let’s just fuck your name.” She glances at the bowl. “Breakfast is ready.”
I sit down next to her and proceed to eat the oatmeal I wasn’t expecting and am surprised it doesn’t taste like cardboard and chalk.
After I’m done with the fourth spoonful of oatmeal, I say, “You’re a good cook.”
“Not as good as you, but I try my best.”
I don’t add that maybe it’s because she only likes to work with recipes that include sugar. The only time she gives salt a chance is when she creates salted caramel chocolates.
I look at the time, trying to figure out how we will organize the day. “Did you get groceries?”
“Mm-hmm,” she says, turning her attention to her phone.
“Did you use my card at least?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Nope,” she says cheerfully. It’s good to see the playful smile on her face, though. It’s a glimmer of the normal Atzi underneath whatever mood she’s in this morning. I have yet to figure out how she’s feeling.
I sigh but don’t hassle her. I accepted a long time ago there were some battles I’ll never win, even when it comes to letting me take care of her. She only allows me to do so much. Speaking of which, we have to discuss the logistics.
Sure, we agreed on how much I’m allowed to touch her while her grandparents are here, but there are more important things.
“How do you want to do this?” I ask.
She glances at me with a confused look and then takes a spoonful of her oatmeal.
“You remember that I promised your grandparents I’d keep the surprise from you.”
She swirls the spoon around her bowl before saying, “We’ll tell them I ruined it when you asked for their phone number to confirm their flight.”
That’s a great option, but there’s a second one. “Or…”
The corner of her lip lifts, and she looks at me expectantly. “There’s an or? This is so unlike you, Mr. Spearman. Are we trying to live dangerously?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “No, but we could send Owen to pick them up.”
“It’s the weekend. I don’t want to impose.”
“It would be better. It’ll make things less awkward.”
She tosses her arms around my neck. “You’re right. You’re the best fake fiancé in the world.”
I wiggle my eyebrows. “You should show me how grateful you are.”
“So all this is in exchange for sexual favors, huh?”
“Exactly, and maybe after breakfast, I’ll set you on the kitchen counter and eat you.”
She gives me a conspiratorial smile. “I might have some ice cream stored in your freezer.”
I kiss her nose. “You might be my favorite person.”
“I wish I could say the same, but if this FF operation doesn’t work, you’ll be on top of my most wanted.”
I shiver. “No one wants to be there. You’re a cold woman when you’re upset.”
“And don’t forget that.”
It takes four trips to move Atzi’s kitchenware from her place to mine. It barely fits but she finds places to stuff them in. The closet is a different story. Her leggings fit perfectly in one of my drawers. All her silky tank tops hang next to my shirts. She only owns two pairs of jeans—the fabric is too uncomfortable for her. Her tiny shorts find places to hide in my credenza.
She sets all her toiletries in my bathroom. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my place so colorful and full. It’s like she filled the emptiness in just a few hours.
“We have to get a new comforter,” she says, staring at my bed.
I arch an eyebrow, and suddenly, I wonder if she’s about to set up a flowery pink comforter in my room. “What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s blah.”
I stare at the bedding. Yeah, she wants to change it. “Black. It’s black,” I correct her, playing along. “The K isn’t silent. I’ll never understand why in romance languages they delete letters so arbitrarily.”
“That’s insulting.” She glares at me.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. You’re just complaining about my bedding. I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
She looks from side to side and then lowers her voice. “It’s ugly.”
“I think I’ve allowed one too many concessions for today.” I wrap one arm around her waist and the other around her shoulders.
“What are you doing?”
I stare down at her, grinning. She sighs dramatically, sliding her arms around my neck. I lean down, taking her lips. This is a slow, sensual kiss.
The one you give to your lover as you’re about to leave or after a long trip. I push past the elastic of her shorts, patting my way between her legs. She doesn’t push me. No. She opens them wider. Atzi holds on to my neck as I begin to play with her pussy.
“Heath.” Her voice is tenuous, almost trembling. “We just—”
“You want it,” I say, my heart thumping fast. I want her to fall apart before I fuck her against the wall. I’ll probably have her on top of my bed, her hair spread on my pillow.
The slow pace transforms into an urgent race. I push her shorts and panties down with my other hand as my fingers continue teasing her. She’s getting hot and wet.
I take her lips again, tasting the chocolate she ate while we were at her place. Savoring her desire. I push two fingers inside her. I curl them, hitting her spot. I want to make it good for her—really good. She grinds me as I thrust my fingers in and out. Faster. Harder.
She’s so fucking wet for me.
“Good girl,” I praise her, running my lips along her jaw. “You’re ready for me, baby.”
“Please, fuck me,” she begs.
I don’t think twice. I push her against the credenza, unbuttoning my jeans. I pull out my hard cock, about to explode.
Atzi watches as I press my length, inching my way in. My finger rubbing her clit. She groans, shattering me. I can’t get enough of her. I doubt I ever will. I push hard, pull out, and dive back in. After the night we’ve had, this should last longer, but my balls are pulsing, and my stomach tightening.
I continue circling her clit with one hand. The other grips her hip firmly. There are so many perfect moments in life. This is the one that might change my entire trajectory. I just don’t know how.
A growl comes out of my throat as I finally explode inside her. I seek her mouth, kissing the most exquisite wildflower. My chaos and my home.
My Atzi.
Chapter Twenty-Five