Chapter 61: I’m scared
The kitchen was filled with golden morning light and the comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee. Ella padded in barefoot, still in that "just pajamas" set that Nicholas had insisted wasn’t just anything, her hair a tousled mess of soft waves. Nicholas stood at the stove, already shirtless and smug, flipping waffles like he’d done it a hundred times, though she was certain this was a first.
"You’re suspiciously good at this," she said, sliding up behind him and resting her chin on his shoulder. He tilted his head, brushing a kiss against her temple.
"Don’t sound so surprised, wife. I have hidden depths."
"Right. And here I thought your only talents were making messes and driving me crazy."
"Multitalented," he replied without missing a beat.
Ella moved to the counter, grabbing a bowl and starting to whisk eggs. "So is this what our mornings look like now?" she asked lightly, cracking another egg, her tone teasing. "You cook, I clean up after you?"
Nicholas looked over his shoulder, grin slow and dangerous. "I’d rather make a different kind of mess you clean up."
Ella rolled her eyes, throwing a pinch of flour in his direction. It dusted his shoulder, and he turned slowly to face her, mock affronted.
"Did you just assault me with baking ingredients?"
She smirked. "You deserved it."
Nicholas stepped closer, dipping two fingers into the flour bag and flicking it back at her. A pale puff landed across her collarbone.