Chapter Five
Waking up to a five year old crawling over me was not something I was used to.
“Kait! Get up!” Sam yelled in my ear. No, yelling would have been good. He was screeching at the top of his lungs.
“What time is it?” I mumbled, trying to bury my head into my pillow. Glancing at the alarm clock, I groaned loudly when the numbers 7:15 flashed back at me. “Sam. It’s too early to get up.” I snuggled back into my comfy blanket.
“Hey, wait, what?” I jumped up and clutched onto the floral blanket as it was being ripped off my body by Sam. I was moments away from being naked. I made a mental note to sleep in some pajamas from now on.
“Okay! I’ll get up.” Sam, satisfied that he’d won, ran out of the room cheering. I felt like a zombie as I forced myself out of bed, pulling on some tracksuit pants and a top. I stumbled out into the kitchen, heading straight for the coffee machine. Sam had already turned the television onto the cartoon channel.
“Couldn’t you have just put the TV on and let me sleep some more.” I grumbled as I poured fresh water into the coffee pot. I slumped onto the counter while I waited.
Coffee in hand, I slumped onto the couch next to Sam. For the next two hours, he watched cartoons as I struggled to keep my eyes open. Time was dragging – and I mean dragging – along. By ten o’clock, I was on my third coffee and all I wanted to do was slip back into bed, when the doorbell rang.
“Seriously, who the f*ck visits someone this early?” I mumbled under my breath. Slipping my feet into my slippers, I went to open the door.
Devon. Of course.
Who else would it be when I was looking like I’d just rolled around in a pig trough?
“Hey, did I wake you?” He eyed my appearance, his hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans.
“No, you’re three hours late to have woken me.” I grumbled. “Apparently, the best cartoons start at seven.” I explained, seeing his confused expression. He laughed. Well I was glad someone found my getting up at seven amusing. “Coming in?” He shrugged and nodded.
“I was just checking on the kids.” He explained. “How are they going?”
“You’re not in your usual suit.” I instantly regretted my comment. That suggested I’d paid way too much attention to his attire the last two times I’d seen him. He smiled, as if he was thinking the same thing.
“No. Day off today.” And he spent it coming here? Interesting…
“Do you always get up so early on your day off?”
“Early?” He snorted. “Let me guess, unless absolutely necessary, you’d probably never even see morning. Am I right?” I poked my tongue out at him. “I knew it.” He said triumphantly, amusement shining in his eyes.
“Shut up and sit down.” I ordered. He grinned at me as he sat on the couch next to Sam, who didn’t even look up.
“Hey Sam.”
Sam mumbled a reply, his eyes glued to the TV. Devon laughed. He stood up, joining me in the kitchen. I struggled to focus on the coffee making with Devon leaning on the counter across from me. A smile played on his lips as he watched me. I could feel a flutter in my stomach, as I wondered what it would be like to kiss him. He owned the sexiest pair of lips I’d ever seen, so red and full. I wanted to feel them on mine much more than any self-respecting girl should.
“What are you thinking about?” His question threw me off, for obvious reasons. I wasn’t about to tell him the truth. “What?” He pressed, amused.
“Nothing.” I blushed. “What are you up to today?” I said, averting the conversation.
“I have a birthday thing on.” He replied. “And don’t think I didn’t notice the change in subject there.” I was about to reply when Neri walked in. She looked mildly surprised to see Devon standing in the kitchen.
“Hi.” She said frowning, looking from Devon, to me, and back to Devon.
“He just dropped by to see how you guys are settling in.” I quickly said. I could see the wheels turning over in her mind. “I was roped into watching cartoons at seven.” I added, rolling my eyes at Sam. Neri giggled.
“Sounds like Sam alright.” She grabbed the glass of juice I’d poured for her.
“Hungry? Eggs? Pancakes?” I asked Neri, slipping a coffee across the counter to Devon.
“Pancakes sound awesome.” Devon grinned, raising his eyebrows.
“I was talking to Neri, not you.” I poked my tongue out at him.
“Pancakes do sound good.” Admitted Neri, smiling. I flipped Devon the bird as he chuckled.
“Kait!” Sam stood at the end of the counter, horrified by what he’d seen. I clapped my hand over my mouth as his own dropped open in shock.
“You did the finger.” His eyes grew wide.
Devon and Neri both fought back laughter. If he was upset with that, wait till he heard some of the language that came out of my mouth.
“I’m sorry Sam. I shouldn’t have done that. It was very, very rude of me.” Sam nodded, his little face creased with concern.
“You should say sorry to Devon.” He finally said. I turned to Devon, who was waiting for his apology, thoroughly amused. He raised his eyebrows expectantly.
“Sorry.” I murmured, making sure he knew I was not in the slightest bit sorry.
“What was that? I didn’t hear you.”
“Sorry.” I repeated icily, knowing full well he’d heard the first time.
“Are you really? Because I’m not feeling it.” He chuckled as I threw him a look. Sam looked satisfied and went back to his cartoons.
“I hope you’re not expecting pancakes.” I muttered to Devon. He laughed, pushing himself off the counter.
“What if I make them?”
“You?” I repeated doubtfully, as he wandered around my side of the counter. He brushed up against me as he reached for the mixing bowl.
“Yes, me.” He murmured. Neri raised her eyebrows and grabbed her juice.
“I don’t think I need to see this.” She announced, heading for the couch. I felt my cheeks color.
“You blush a lot, Kait.” Devon cocked his head and grinned at me. Which, of course, made me blush more. “Imagine if you actually had something to blush about.” He whispered in my ear.
I pulled back in shock. Was he hitting on me? I drew in a breath, and backed out of his way. He winked at me, and set about preparing breakfast.
I had to admit, the pancakes were pretty damn good. Much better than my slightly rubbery discs would have been. They were even better once they were drizzled with a decent amount of butter and maple syrup.
“If you can cook like this, you’re welcome for breakfast anytime.” I joked.
“Really?” He raised his eyebrow and grinned. My eyes widened when I realized how that sounded.
“Oh no, I didn’t mean-“
“I know exactly what you meant.” He interrupted me. I froze as I felt his hand brush over my thigh under the table. Aiming my foot over his, I brought it down. Hard.
“Holy sh…aker.” Devon cried, reaching under the table to massage his injured foot. I smiled at him sweetly.
“Holy shaker? What does that mean?” Sam looked at Devon, confused.
“It means your sister is nasty.” He muttered, shaking his head at me.
“Which one?”
“When have I ever been nasty, Sam? Obviously he means Kait.” Neri rolled her eyes at her brother. Sam nodded in agreement.
“What did I do?” I cried, annoyed that I was instantly the nasty one.
“Oh, you know.” Devon narrowed his eyes at me.
“Well if I did anything, I’m sure you deserved it.” I smiled sweetly. “Shouldn’t you be heading to your birthday ‘thing’?”
Devon opened his mouth, and then thought better of it. Nodding he stood up. “I guess I had better be going. Thanks for breakfast.” A slow, suggestive smile spread across his face.
“Why thank me? You made it.” I grumbled, following him to the door. He leaned behind me, to grab the jacket off the hook. I held my breath. He was so close, I could feel his breath on my cheek.
“I’ll see you soon.” He murmured in my ear. I felt myself nodding. I had enjoyed this breakfast thing much more than I wanted to admit.
Back in the kitchen, Neri eyed my suspiciously. “You look weird.” I shrugged my shoulders. “And you’re acting kinda funny.” She added.
“No idea what you are talking about, Neri.” I gathered up the dishes and began loading them in the dishwasher. Neri stood staring at me for a moment.
“Okay.” She shrugged, wandering off.