Mitch awoke, tangled in the sheets, Monique’s warm body draped over him.
If he could wake up every day like this he’d be a happy man. Satisfied and floating on a cloud of bliss and contentment.
He pressed a kiss to her head, her face shielded by the headful of dark, wild curls he’d always adored.
An early riser, his eyes opened long before sunlight streamed through Mo’s bedroom window. But it had felt so good to hold her and she’d been sleeping so blissfully. He hadn’t wanted to disturb her rest.
His phone rang from the pocket of his pants somewhere on the bedroom floor. He ignored it, but it rang again.
At this time of morning, it could only be one of two people. Neither of whom he wanted to talk to while lying naked in postcoital bliss with his best friend’s little sister.
When it rang a third time, Monique muttered against his chest. “Better get it.”
He groaned at the thought of bursting their haze of ecstasy.
Monique pressed a kiss to Mitch’s chest that woke up parts of his anatomy he’d tried hard to keep in check while she slept. Raising her head, she gave him a sexy, sleepy smile as she tucked hair behind her ear. “I’ll make coffee.”
She gave him a quick kiss and went to the bathroom, emerging a few minutes later in a short silk robe that barely grazed her hips.
“You’re killing me.” He dragged the words out, running a hand down his face. “Who needs coffee? I can think of a much better way to wake up.”
The corner of her mouth curled in an impish grin that made him want to stay there with her for the rest of his life. She leaned down and kissed him. “Down boy. Plenty of time for that. We’ve got nowhere to be all day.”
The phone rang again.
He wished that were true. “Promised my mother I’d help with the New Year’s Day meal at the house. The one you and Ray are invited to later tonight.”
“I forgot.” She rubbed her forehead, then sat on the edge of the bed. “Can’t one of your brothers or sisters do it?” She leaned down, planting kisses on his chest that followed the path to where he clutched the sheet around his waist. “I know I’m being selfish, but I swear I’ll make it worth your while.”
He pulled her on top of him and kissed her, gripping her firm bottom and pulling her tight against his growing arousal.
“You convinced me.” He kissed her again. “Now go make me some coffee, woman.” He slapped her bottom, exposed beneath the hem of the short robe.
“Yes, sir,” she said in an exaggerated Southern drawl as she climbed off him.
Mitch got out of bed, retrieved his phone and redialed the last caller’s number.
He couldn’t help smiling at the familiar voice, but his stomach quickly soured at the thought of doing something he hadn’t since he was twelve years old—lie to his mother.