Chapter 21: Good morning

By the time the oatmeal was ready, she had finished her coffee and rinsed out the mug. She dished two bowls of oatmeal, adding a little bit of sugar. She then slowly went down the hall to Oliver’s bedroom, carrying both bowls of oatmeal. She walked into the room, Oliver was awake and sitting uptight in bed, partially covered by his dark grey bedding. The lightning coming from the window cast gentle shadows across his face and upper body. His posture was slightly leaning back against the headboard. His shoulders are relaxing, and one hand lightly grips the edge of the blanket near his waist. His head is turned to the side, gazing at the space where Harper used to be asleep. There was a flutter in her stomach at the thought that he was looking for her first thing in the morning. As soon as Oliver saw Harper his icy blue eyes locked onto her form and his expression shifted from sleepy confusion to pure appreciation.

…

When Oliver woke up, the bed was empty beside him. He sat up and looked around, the sheets sliding down to reveal his bare muscular chest. Before he could get up to go look for Harper, she came into the bedroom wearing one of his black buttoned up shirts that was way too big for her. She was holding two bowls of oatmeal, steam rising out of each of them. As soon as Harper saw him, her blue green eyes widened slightly, and she blushed deeply. “Morning,” she muttered shyly. Oliver’s ice blue eyes immediately locked onto her standing in the doorway, his expression shifting from sleepy confusion to pure appreciation. The sight of her in his oversized black shirt– the fabric hanging loosely around her thighs, revealing glimpses of her bare legs– sent a jolt of warmth through him. “Good morning,” he said, his voice still tough with sleep. A slow smile spread across his face as he watched her approach. “I was about to come looking for you. Figure you might have gotten lost trying to find the kitchen.” He reached out to take one of the bowls from her hands, setting it on the nightstand beside him. His other hand moved to her waist, pulling her closer so she was standing between his legs. “You look incredible in my shirt,” Oliver murmured, his eyes tracing the way the shirt fell open slightly at her collarbone. “Though I have to say, I prefer seeing you without them even more.”

Oliver’s fingers toyed with the hem of the oversized shirt, lifting it slightly to reveal more of her thigh. “But this is a close second,” he admitted with a smirk, pulling her even closer until his bare cock brushed against her bare legs. He took the other bowl of oatmeal from her hand and set it on the bedside table. “Sit with me,” he commanded softly, patting the mattress beside him. His eyes roamed over her face hungrily, taking in the way her cheeks were still flushed pink from embarrassment. “You are adorable when you are shy like this. Makes me want to keep you here all weekend just to watch you blush.” Oliver picked up a bowl of oatmeal and spooned some into his mouth while keeping one arm wrapped securely around her waist. “Eat something before it gets cold,” he instructed gently.

Harper picked up the bowl of oatmeal and took a bite. “I am not used to waking up in someone else’s house, especially not someone attractive and naked…” she admitted shyly as she chewed the oatmeal. Oliver’s lips quirked into a genuine, unrestrained smile at her shy admission. The sight of her trying to maintain composure while clearly flustered by his nudity was incredibly endearing. “Attractive and naked, huh?” he repeated with a low chuckle, setting his own bowl down to give her his full attention. “I guess that makes two of us then. Because you look absolutely stunning sitting there in my shirt, trying to act like this is normal.” His hand came up to gently tilt her chin, forcing her to meet his amused icy blue gaze. “Get used to it. This is our new normal now. Waking up together, sharing breakfast in bed… maybe even having morning sex before we even get out of these sheets.” Oliver leaned in closer, his bare chest pressing against the fabric of the oversized shirt she wore.

Harpers breath hitched slightly at the way he describes this as their new normal. “If this is going to be a regular thing, you might want to buy some groceries. I was lucky just to find oatmeal,” she said and took another bite of her oatmeal. Despite changing the topic, her blue green eyes flicker to his lips. Oliver’s icy blue eye followed her gaze to his lips, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. He leaned in closer deliberately, giving her a clear view of the way his lips curved as he spoke. “Groceries it is,” he agreed easily, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “I will make a list later. Anything specific you like or dislike? Or should I just assume you have good taste and buy whatever looks appealing?” His free hand came up to cup her jaw gently, thumb stroking along her cheekbone. “As for regular things… I am thinking yes. Very regular. Every night here or at your place. Whichever you prefer.” The way her blue green eyes kept flickering back to his mouth was not lost on him. His own gaze darkening with desire as he noticed the way her breathing hitched slightly. “You keep looking at me like that and breakfast is going to get cold,” he warned playfully. “I like healthy food, some fruits and vegetables…” Harper said quickly and then thought for a moment before adding, “I like snacking on nuts, so if I am going to be here often, you will need some of those.” She took another bite of oatmeal and chewed slowly. Oliver’s eyebrows raised slightly at her grocery list, a hint of amusement dancing in his icy blue eyes. The way she listed preferences to matter of fact– as if discussing her presence in his life was already a given– sent a wave of warmth through his chest.