𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬

CHAPTER 20

Kiara and Vijay messing around above.

induratize

(v.) to harden one's heart against love

Sun rays filtered through the blinds over the windows in Chris' bedroom as it's heat warmed Kiara's face. She tried to move, panicking when she felt a warm body behind her and something heavy held her in place. Turning to look behind her, she calmed upon seeing his face. Tracing the smile lines on his face, she observed his peaceful state in awe. How was it possible for someone to look so beautiful with such little effort? He shifted, unconsciously pulling her body closer as he hugged her to him. She gently removed his arm around her and held in her laugh when a barely perceptible line formed between his brows as he frowned at the loss of heat. 

Padding out of bed in Chris' cotton t-shirt, Kiara quietly freshened up and headed downstairs to cook breakfast. Her petite form practically drowned in the large shirt as it fell down to her knees. She nestled into its soft material, smiling at his comforting cinnamon scent, and searched the kitchen to gather ingredients and equipment for breakfast. Deciding to make a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon, she set the pan to low heat and begun combining ingredients. Humming along to a song in her head, she failed to notice as he leaned against the kitchen entrance and watched her. 

A carnal satisfaction filled his chest at the sight of Kiara in his shirt as Chris smiled at how carefree she looked, hair in loose waves down her back as she danced around the kitchen. He snuck up behind her and brought his arms around her body, startling her out of her musical state. She smiled up at him as a blush coloured her cheeks at the thought of him seeing her dancing and brought her hand up to stroke the stubble on his face. Their lips met in a heated kiss as his hands slowly roamed up her legs and under the shirt she wore.

Pulling back before she got carried away, she playfully shoved him off, "Don't distract me! I'm cooking breakfast."

He peered over her shoulder at the toaster, "Looks like you're pretty much done."

Swatting his hands away from the bacon, she scowled, "Get out of the kitchen, Chris. There is culinary excellence happening here and your unseasoned vibes are preventing that."

Momentarily shocked at Kiara's sass, he gaped at her before bursting out laughing and moving to sit at the kitchen island. He rested his head on his palms as he watched her dart around the kitchen and set the table. She placed the two dishes on the tablemats she laid out and handed him a knife and fork as they began digging into the breakfast.

He moaned at her skilled cooking, "Damn, trouble. If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, it's a wonder I haven't told you I love you yet."

She stiffened, awkwardly brushing off his comment, "Then you better not get used to this."

Hours later, Kiara was casually reclining on Vijay's couch as they read their books in silence while she tried her hardest to stop smiling like a lovestruck idiot. Reading the same line three times, she finally grew tired of pretending to read and slammed the book shut as he looked at her quizzically and sipped from his flask.

She sighed, "Don't give me that look."

Shrugging innocently, he retorted, "What look?"

"The annoying one."