Chapter 54

Alistair’s POV

“Alright,” I said, leaning in close with a playful grin, “how do you want your first kiss?”

The instant the words left my mouth, her cheeks heated up, turning a bright shade of scarlet that made me laugh softly. She froze for a heartbeat, her entire body stiffening as if caught off guard by my question. Then, beneath the rising warmth of her blush, I felt her stomach rumble gently against me. It was an adorable reminder of how real we were, how here and now. I wrapped my arms around her slender waist and, almost without thinking, guided her until we tumbled gently onto the bed. With a quick, tender motion, I rolled her over so that her back met the mattress and I hovered above her.

“Come on,” I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “I’ll make you breakfast.”

When I set her down in the high-backed chair by the kitchen island, she looked up at me, wide-eyed and still slightly flushed. I moved to the stove and turned on th