CH.69

I was awakened by Karl peppering kisses all over my face the next morning.

"Mmph...good morning to you too," I grumbled, trying to burrow further under the covers.

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!" he crooned against my cheek. "Time to start the day."

I groaned in protest. "It's barely even light out yet. Give me like, five more minutes?"

Karl chuckled against my ear. "Alright, alright, you get a short snooze extension. But only five minutes!"

True to his word, Karl was back trying to rouse me what felt like thirty seconds later, nuzzling along my jawline.

"Okay, up and at 'em now, baby. Don't make me resort to more...extreme wake-up tactics," he warned playfully.

I cracked one eye open and glared at him halfheartedly. "Ugh, you're the worst. I'm getting up, I'm getting up!"

He grinned unrepentantly before hopping out of bed. "I'll jump in the shower first if you want to sleep a little longer. Just don't go back into a coma on me."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be up before you're done," I