29

The sun’s warmth kissed my face as I slowly woke up from a peaceful sleep. Vincent ’s arms were wrapped tightly around me, holding me securely against his chest. I stayed as still as possible, not wanting to disturb the calm of the moment or wake him up.

I couldn’t help but gaze at him. His face was soft in slumber, a serene smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His dark hair was a bit messy, falling slightly over his forehead, making him look even more handsome than usual.

I traced a light path over his chest with my fingers, enjoying the feel of his solid form beneath me. Just then, I felt his hold on me tighten slightly, and his eyes fluttered open.

Vincent looked down at me, his sleepy smile instantly lighting up his face.

“Morning, beautiful,” he murmured, his voice low and full of warmth.

A rush of warmth spread through me, and I smiled shyly. “Morning,” I whispered back, locking eyes with him.

He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. “You look even more stunning in the morning light,” he said, his gaze full of affection.

My heart fluttered, and I couldn’t help but blush. “You’re just saying that because you’re half asleep,” I teased, my cheeks heating up even more.

He chuckled, the sound deep and soothing. “No, I mean it. You’re beautiful, Jennifer . Every moment with you feels like a gift.”

His words made my chest tighten in the best way, and I shyly looked away. “You always know how to make me blush,” I admitted.

Vincent gently lifted my chin, bringing my eyes back to his. “Good,” he said softly. “I love seeing that blush on your gorgeous cheeks.”

He kissed me again, this time lingering for a moment, a sweet, tender kiss that sent a wave of warmth through me. “How about I make you breakfast?” he suggested as he pulled away, his eyes still warm with affection.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What are you going to make?”

“Bananas Foster French toast,” he grinned. “I know it’s one of your favorites.”

My mouth watered at the thought. “I’m not going to say no to that,” I laughed.

He grinned and carefully untangled himself from me, sitting up and stretching with a content sigh.

“Alright, stay here and relax. I’ll have breakfast ready in no time.”

I watched him move with a quiet admiration, his movements graceful as he stood and pulled on a pair of sweatpants.

“Be good,” he winked at me as he left the room, heading toward the kitchen.

I chuckled and decided to take a quick shower. The warm water felt soothing against my skin, washing away any lingering fatigue. The scent of lavender soap filled the air, calming my senses as I lingered a little longer than I had planned.

Once I was done, I wrapped a towel around myself and wandered to his closet to find something to wear. After a moment of rummaging, I found one of his shirts, soft and oversized, smelling faintly like him. I slipped it on, the fabric falling to mid-thigh, and buttoned it up.

As I made my way downstairs, I heard Vincent ’s voice coming from the kitchen. Curiosity made me pause at the top of the stairs, listening in on his conversation.

“I need you to keep an eye on Jennifer while I handle a few things,” Vincent was saying, his tone serious. “I don’t want her left alone, even for a minute.”

I couldn’t help but smile to myself, touched by his concern. It was sweet, the way he always made sure I felt safe and looked after.

I tiptoed down the stairs, careful not to make a sound. Vincent must’ve been on the phone, and I didn’t want to disturb him.

“Make sure the perimeter is secure,” he said, his voice steady but firm. “If anything happens, you contact me immediately. Understood?”

There was a pause, likely while the person on the other end responded. Although I couldn’t catch the details of their conversation, his next words were unmistakable.

“Good. I appreciate it, Anthony . I’ll be back as soon as I can. Just make sure she’s safe.”

I couldn’t help but feel a warm flutter in my chest at his concern for me, but there was also a pang of guilt for eavesdropping. I inhaled deeply and continued down the stairs, trying to appear casual as I approached the kitchen.

When I stepped inside, Vincent looked up from his phone. His gaze softened when he saw me.

“Hey there,” he greeted, ending the call and slipping his phone into his pocket. “You look good in my shirt.”

I felt my cheeks flush, a mix of embarrassment and pleasure. “Thanks. I hope you don’t mind me borrowing it.”

“Not at all,” he replied, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “It looks better on you anyway.”

I walked over to the kitchen island where he was preparing breakfast, the rich scent of caramelized bananas and cinnamon filling the air. My stomach growled, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Who were you talking to?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though curiosity got the best of me.

Part of me wanted to know who he thought needed to keep an eye on me. It annoyed me, honestly. I didn’t need a babysitter—I’d been taking care of myself for years. My parents had always been too busy with their careers to notice anything about me, beyond making sure I was still breathing.

“Just one of my guys,” he said, effortlessly flipping a slice of French toast in the pan. “You’ll meet him soon. I’ve got a few things to take care of today, and I want to make sure you’re safe while I’m gone.”

I nodded, appreciating the gesture, though I still couldn’t shake the feeling of annoyance at the assumption that I needed someone looking over me.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, pressing gently.

He looked up at me, his expression serious. “I’m handling it. Don’t worry.”

I tried to let it go, offering him a small smile. “Okay.”

I wished he’d tell me more, but if he didn’t now, I knew he would soon enough. Or, if not, I’d find the answers myself. I was good at that.

He slid a perfectly golden slice of French toast onto a plate and handed it to me with a grin. “Here, try it.”

I smiled and took my seat at the island. I slathered the toast in syrup, cutting a bite and savoring the sweetness.

“Wow. Ten out of ten, for sure,” I said, letting out a soft moan of approval.

“Good,” he said, his smile widening. “I’m glad you like it.”

As I ate, Vincent leaned back against the counter, watching me with that easy smile of his. There was a comfortable silence between us, a moment of peace before he made himself a plate and joined me.

For a brief moment, I let myself pretend we were just a normal, happy couple.

Except, I knew we weren’t.

I ignored the voice in my head that told me this relationship was complicated, that eventually, the world might tear us apart. But that was a problem for another day.

Not today.