The Daughter Extraction

Afterglow

•ALEC•

I woke up to the sound of the blender coming from the living room. I pried one eye open and saw the empty space next to me where Luna had slept last night.

The sunlight streaming past the heavy curtains on her window provided enough light for me to take in my surroundings.

Last night was indescribable. I haven't felt this good in a long time, and best of all, I haven't felt this way toward anyone before. I admit, I had a few expectations about how my first time with Luna would turn out.

But damn, she cornered me in the most unexpected way, throwing all my expectations out the window. It was more than amazing, and embracing that side with her was the best decision I've ever made.

I got out of bed and slipped my clothes back on. My body screamed for a shower, but I wanted to check on what Luna was doing so early in the morning before asking to use her bathroom.

I opened the bedroom door and trudged barefoot down the small hallway that connects to her living room. I halted when I saw her standing in her kitchen, dressed in nothing but gray sweatpants and a bra.

Her back was turned toward me as she busied herself with the blender on the counter. My eyes wandered down her back to where the curves of her waist ended, all of which my hands had explored last night.

God, she's breathtaking

I walked over and occupied one of the kitchen barstools aligned in front of the kitchen island behind her. I propped both elbows on the marble counter and smiled, waiting for her to notice me.

She switched off the blender, grabbed it off the counter, and finally turned around. Her bright green eyes widened in surprise when she saw me, but she didn't flinch or scream.

We've been through enough that nothing surprises us anymore. Not even unexpected arrivals. That's one thing we have in common after what happened in Mexico.

"Good morning," she greeted softly before leaning over the counter and placing a kiss on my lips.

I barely had the chance to deepen the kiss when she pulled away and started pouring the green smoothie from the blender into two tall glasses.

"I made breakfast already," she chirped excitedly, making me smile.

"Did you?"

"Yeah. I already set the table, so come join me."

She passed me one of the green-filled glasses and used her other hand to hold mine over the counter, pulling me off the stool and guiding me to the table where she had set up breakfast for us.

Toast, eggs, bacon, strawberry pancakes, and coffee, now complete with the green drink she had blended earlier.

I took the seat across from her. She grabbed a plate and started piling pancakes on it, talking about something that happened at the party last night after we left.

My eyes were focused on her face, taking in the way her lips moved without registering any of her words. Everything about her ignites a deep affection inside me, and every cell in my body screams that I am falling in love with this girl more every second of the day.

Her eyes met mine across the table, and a smile grazed her lips as she handed me my plate. Even the way the corner of her lips tilted up made my heart flutter like I was being noticed by my high school crush for the first time.

I feel ridiculous, I know. But everything about Luna feels so right I never want to leave her side again. I don't even think I want to leave to go back to my own place.

"Alec?" Her voice drifted into the bubble I was momentarily stuck in, snapping me back to reality. "Did you hear what I asked?"

Noticing the serious look on her face, I immediately focused my attention back on her and tried to recall the last words she had said.

"Sorry, what was that?"

She slowly leaned back against her chair and gave me a small smile.

"I asked if you were considering going back to the CIA anytime soon."

Her question felt like ice glazing over the warm emotions I had just felt, triggering something unpleasant inside me.

I reached for my coffee and took a long sip. I set the cup down and finally met her eyes.

"They did offer me my old position back," I confessed. "But I didn't accept it. Going back means endless missions and risky overseas operations. It means I'll have to drop everything and leave once duty calls."

She silently stared at me.

"And I don't want to do that," I continued, gazing deeply into her eyes. "Not when everything between us feels so perfect right now, and I don't want to put a pause on it. I like what I'm doing now, even if it's way below my expertise. If it keeps you close to me, I'll handle it."

I reached across the table and gently held her hand.

"I know there will be a time when I'll eventually have to go back to the CIA, but right now I just want to enjoy what we have and focus on that."

Her face softened, and she leaned forward, gently squeezing my hand back.

"Me too." Her warm response made my heart full, and I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed it.

She grinned, withdrew her hand, and shifted her attention to the breakfast laid out between us.

"Okay, let's eat. Your coffee will get cold."

A small chuckle vibrated from my chest, and I joined her in enjoying the lovely breakfast she had beautifully prepared.

But what's more beautiful is the girl sitting across from me with that radiant smile on her face. There's nothing more I could ever wish for in the world than for more moments like this to come.