CHAPTER 17

Rise and shine, meathead!”

Groan. “You know this is human torture, right? You should be arrested. No one wakes up this early.”

“Yes, they do, meathead,” Samantha said as she flung the curtains open. Red light streaked in like captives set free and landed on a fine, fair face. The face was instantly hidden under a duvet.

“Oh, come on, you big baby. It’s 6AM already. The whole of New York is up by this time.” Samantha cooed at the face. It grumbled and squeezed the duvet.

“No, they’re not.” Richard grumbled.

Samantha chuckled and lifted the duvet. “Perhaps you’re right. Still… you really should get up. The pancakes will get cold.”

Richard groaned and turned over. The duvet came away from his head slowly. Samantha crowded his vision. Puckered lips and perfect, golden hair, like the wheat he always fantasized about as a child. Wide, seeking eyes… and was she wearing his shirt?

Oh, he loved this woman. “Come here.”

“What?”

“I’m going to kiss you,” he said, grabbing her by the waist. She sq