Bryce woke a few hours later to the bright late-morning light shining through the filmy curtains that covered Allegra's bedroom windows. They weren't something he would have chosen, but they suited both the woman and her bedroom well. He stretched lazily and looked down at the auburn curls covering his chest. She had sought him out in her sleep; one leg was thrown over his thigh and her head rested high on his shoulder. He fought back a feeling of tenderness and slipped from underneath her.
He slipped on his jeans, leaving them unbuttoned, and padded down the stairs to the kitchen. Like Allegra, it was vibrant and cheery. He opened the cupboards and then the fridge, grinning when he discovered a half-eaten box of Lucky Charms. He passed them over for the eggs and bacon he found in the fridge. Quickly, he beat the eggs and added cream, then scrambled them in the small cast-iron skillet hanging above the stove. He fried the bacon in another pan, poured some orange juice into a glass and popped some oatmeal toast into the toaster.
He had just started searching for a tray when he heard Allegra coming lightly down the stairs. He set the table quickly and pulled out her chair just as she entered the kitchen. "Good morning, sunshine," he said with a grin, looking her over as she stood there in her robe and bare feet.
Allegra was astounded to find him in her kitchen. She looked at the plates on the table and melted. No one had ever bothered to make her breakfast before. She had gotten quite used to taking care of herself. "Good morning," she replied, slipping into her chair, watching Bryce sit down across from her and dig into his eggs. She picked up her fork and sampled the eggs. The man wasn't only a spectacular lover; he was a great cook. "Thank you for making breakfast," she said with a smile.
Bryce grunted at her, intent on polishing off the last of his eggs. He finished and took a long gulp of juice. "Better than Lucky Charms, huh sweetie?" he asked her with a wink. She blushed. "I'm just teasing you," he told her, "Nothing wrong with them in my book!"
They finished breakfast and headed upstairs to get dressed. They agreed to meet later that evening, and Allegra walked him out to the porch. He slipped his arms around her and she melted into him, snuggling against his chest. He found the slit in her robe and slid his hand inside, cupping a breast and sliding his thumb over her nipple. It hardened instantly and he grimaced. "If I don't leave now I never will," he told her gently. "You're that irresistible." He kissed her quickly and bounded down the stairs to his car. She watched until he turned the corner, then headed back inside.
Allegra cleared the table and did the dishes, then went upstairs, showered, and got dressed. She didn't have anything to do except finish an article for the newspaper. She sat down, got to work, and had it finished and sent to her editor in just under two hours. She sighed, stretching in her chair. It was only 1:30. Bryce wouldn't be back until 5:00 or so, or so he'd said. Time seemed to be passing more slowly today, or maybe it was because she was so eagerly awaiting his return.
She sat for a few minutes, thinking of things she should do. Finally, she decided she'd make them dinner. She ran to the grocery store, picked up some supplies, and returned to the house laden down with bags filled with lobster and filet mignon. She steamed the lobsters, shelled them, and got to work on the steak. She wrapped them in bacon and set them to broil. She steamed the asparagus that would accompany the surf n' turf, and plated the meal. She whipped up a Caesar salad quickly and glanced at the clock. It was 4:15. She had just enough time to shower and get dressed before Bryce arrived.
She showered quickly and did her hair and make-up, focusing on her eyes until they were smoky and seductive. She applied a thin layer of red gloss, and slipped into her deep blue dress. It was a halter with a full skirt that swished around her calves when she walked; the silky material rubbing against her skin. Underneath, she wore nothing. She heard the front door open and she rushed downstairs, lighting the candles just as Bryce entered the dining room.
Bryce stood in the doorway, frozen. She was stunning. The deep blue of the dress accented her blue-gray eyes. The halter neckline showed off her strong shoulders and arms. The stilettos that wrapped around her legs added height to her already tall frame and accented her voluptuous figure. "You're gorgeous," he said softly, meeting her eyes. He watched as she blushed and twisted her hands nervously in front of her. Could she really not know how delectable she was, he wondered. "Come here," he told her gently.
