"Damon, stop!" I giggled, trying to avoid the flour he threw my way.
"Come here," he packed a handful of flour and ran towards me.
I evaded him easily, trying to move past the counter. He caught up to me in no time, damn his long legs. He wrapped his arms around me and sat me on the counter.
He kissed me, and I pulled him closer to me, leaning fully into the kiss. He broke the kiss and poured the flour on my face. I coughed loudly, my face white as the powdery substance settled in my nose. He'd distracted me with a kiss.
"Damon!" I scolded.
He tucked my hair behind my hair as he stared at me.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked softly.
His eyes pulled me in every time I looked at him. I was completely taken by his beauty.
"You're beautiful," he smiled.
"Hmm," I wrapped my thighs around his waist.
"Just how beautiful am I?"
He wiped my face gently. "Beyond what words can describe."
"I love you," I whispered.
He chuckled. "I love you more."
I'd spent every minute since we came back from the trip with him; talking, eating, making love. I'd managed to put my assassin identity behind me for some time. I knew time was running out, but I wanted some time alone with him without being ridden by guilt. I wanted to be Mia, not Ivy.
Just Mia.
His gaze lowered to my lip as he moved closer. I held a finger to stop him.
"We're gonna be late," I said.
"I'll be quick," he removed my finger.
I chuckled and pulled my head back. "When are you ever quick?"
I kissed his cheek quickly and got off the counter. "Lily's expecting us."
He groaned. "Fine."
I stared at the recipe book and poured another spoonful of flour.
"I didn't know you could bake," I said.
He brought out the sugar. "I always loved watching Mom cook."
He touched the recipe book. "Do you know she came up with these recipes when I was eleven?"
"Really?" I cut the strawberry.
"It's a funny story actually," he chuckled.
My phone pinged, interrupting his story and I grabbed it. Goosebumps crept up my arm when I saw who it was.
Tony.
I turned off the screen quickly and placed the phone in my back pocket.
"Who was that?" he asked.
I smiled. "No one."
I steadied my trembling fingers as I cut the strawberries. I could feel watch me closely which made even more nervous.
"You were telling the story of how Lily made the recipe book," I reminded. Anything to take his mind off me.
"Yeah," he smiled. He measured the sugar and poured it into the bowl.
He paused. "How come you never talk about your family?"
I dropped the knife. "You know what, twenty minutes wouldn't hurt."
I pulled him closer. "Let's have sex."
He sighed; I could tell he was sulking.
"See? You always change the subject whenever I bring them up."
"That's because there's nothing to talk about," I turned away from him.
Damn. Sex didn't work.
"Your dad seemed like a good man," he brought it up carefully.
"He's not my dad," the words slipped before I could stop it.
He looked surprised. "He's not?"
I bit my lip. "No. But he did raise me."
He said nothing, and just observed quietly, waiting for me to say more.
"He saved me when I was little," I turned to him.
He caressed my hair. "What happened?"
"My mom died when I was ten, leaving me homeless and penniless," I smiled bitterly.
"I never knew my dad, had no relatives. It was just me and my mom."
His hand touched my face gently, comforting me.
"So, when she died, I had nowhere to go with no one to take care of me. I lived on the streets for a while, then bounced from home to home," I paused.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"My last home, my adopted father would often touch me-."
He pulled me to him and wrapped his arms around me. "I'm so sorry."
"It's fine," I smiled and pulled away from the hug.
"I'm okay now. Tony saved me," I said.
"He did?"
I nodded. "He made sure the bad man wasn't a problem anymore."
"I'm glad," he kissed my forehead.
"Anyway, he took me in and made me who I am today," I said.
"You must love him," he smiled.
I stared at the strawberries. "I do. I'm grateful to him."
"Me too," he hugged me. "He saved you from a bad man."
I chuckled and sniffed his sweatshirt. I loved his scent.
He pulled away from me and tucked my hair behind my ears.
"He mentioned your brother, Wes?" he asked carefully.
Wes.
The guilt gnawed my insides. I'd managed to keep it at bay, but the mere mention of Wes' name sent it stabbing my heart.
"Yeah," I tore away from him.
"What happened to him?" he asked.
I placed the strawberries in a bowl. "He died."
"I'm sorry."
I paused and stared at him. "Me too."
I meant it.
Alan killed Wes, it was only right he died too. I had not forgotten my mission, the only thing that changed was my target. Alan was my new target.
"Tara seemed lovely," he changed the subject.
I smiled instantly. "She's family."
"Are you guys close?" he asked.
"I'd kill for her," I broke an egg in the bowl.
"Should I be jealous?" he teased.
I touched his chin. "I'd kill for you too."
He hugged me from the back as he inhaled loudly. "I love your smell."
I squirmed. "That tickles."
He moaned into my neck and I smiled, knowing what he was thinking.
"What was that you said earlier?" his fingers reached under my shirt.
"I thought you weren't interested," I teased.
"Never. I'm addicted to you," he pulled me onto the counter.
I sighed. It was impossible to say no, especially when he looked at me with those eyes.
"Twenty minutes," I said.
He smirked. "Make that thirty."