TWENTY SIX

Justine

I wake to warm yellow sunshine and a rich, distinctive scent it takes me a moment to recognize.

Sex.

I smell like sex.

Specifically, I smell like sex with Ronan Kernos. I pull the covers up over my face so he can't see the huge grin that spreads across my face against my will. Which only makes the smell stronger.

Luckily, when I peep out, I find I'm alone.

"Ronan?"

No answer.

I push back the covers and get out of bed, looking around. There's no sign of him or the film crew. Even so, I dart into the walk in closet and find a sweater to throw over my singlet and pajama shorts. I have vague memories of Ronan cleaning me up and dressing me after he came all over me last night. Just that memory has my pussy fluttering and a surge of excitement runs through me. The look on his face as he unloaded over me will quite possibly stay with me for the rest of my life.

I head out of the bedroom and down the hall. To be honest, I kind of float down the hall in a trance.

The smell of pancakes hits me as I get near the kitchen. I round the corner and see a tall blonde woman in an apron and a neat black and white uniform. This must be Anna, Ronan's personal chef.

"Good morning, Mrs. Kernos."

I stumble and catch myself on a stool at the counter. Mrs. Kernos? Oh, I like that way too much. "Uh... good morning. Where's Ronan?"

She lifts a hand to point at the large balcony off the dining area. Ronan is braced on his forearms, leaning over the balustrade and talking on the phone. His tail flicks the air and my gaze is caught by his thick, muscular thighs. His legs have knees that point the opposite direction to a human's legs. But despite the differences to what I'm used to, his shape appealing. There is nothing awkward or unpleasant about the way his thighs tower up into a taut ass and narrow hips.

I turn back to the lady flipping pancakes to find her smiling at me far too knowingly. I honestly don't know why Ronan calls me Traffic Lights. I'm finding it hard to think of a moment I wasn't blushing around him.

"Should I do anything to help?" I gesture at the stove, but in reality, I'd be better off at the sink. I'm less likely to burn myself there.

She shakes her head. "Of course not, Mrs. Kernos. Please relax. Make yourself comfortable. I'm Anna, Mr. Kernos's personal chef. It's my job to make you both breakfast. I do hope you like buckwheat pancakes."

I nod dumbly. I wasn't aware up until this moment that you could get buckwheat pancakes. They sound... healthy. But I'm hardly going to complain if someone else is cooking for me, and they do actually smell delicious.

Ronan slides open the glass doors and joins me at the breakfast bar just as his chef slides two pancakes onto a plate in front of me. "Thanks, Anna. Sorry for the last minute changes. I appreciate your flexibility."

"No problem."

He puts his hand on the back of my chair and I think for all the world he's about to lean down and kiss me. Then he sighs. "I'm just waiting for the film crew to film this morning and then I'm off to work, but I've lined up some things for you to do today."

I stifle a yawn as Anna sets down a tiny jug with something bright purple inside and skillfully cuts a strawberry into a tiny fan. "What time is it?"

Ronan rolls his eyes. "I know! It's seven o'clock already. Ridiculous. I assume you sent them my schedule."

My sleep fogged brain tries to put the pieces together and then remembers I'm supposed to be his assistant. "Um... I think so."

He grunts. "I don't know what's keeping them."

At a knock at the door, he huffs. "Finally." Then he strides off to answer it. There's a flurry of action as five people and about five hundred bags and crates come through the door. Someone starts applying makeup to my face while I'm trying to cut my pancakes.

Surreal.

I always imagined reality TV would be just a touch more glamorous.

I guess maybe I'm the one who's not glamorous. It didn't even occur to me to put on makeup before breakfast.

I lift a forkful of food to my mouth and Amy stops me. "Just hold on a sec until we've got all the lights set up."

I pause, bite halfway to my mouth. I'm already anxious for this evening when it will just be me and Ronan again.

Ronan perches next to me on the stool and Anna hands him a coffee. She sets one down in front of me as well and I give her a grateful smile. "Aren't you going to eat any breakfast?" I ask Ronan.

He scoffs. "I had it hours ago."

"A few more minutes, Mr. Kernos. Do you think you could pretend to eat breakfast? For the cameras."

He sighs.

"Why don't you tell Justine what you have planned for today?" she prompts.

"Hmm. Well as I mentioned, I've lined up a couple of options. I know you enjoyed our spa on Northpoint Island, so I've made a reservation for you at Opal Dayspa—"

"Oh, I can't afford—"

"My treat." He smiles. "And a friend of mine at Hasser Publishing mentioned that there's a book signing event this afternoon over at the flagship store. He extended an invitation to you as a favor to me. Something about a Duke. I've never heard of the author, so don't feel obliged to go if there's something you'd rather do."

I stare at him. "Doing the Duke of Danger? By Rosaline Hargrove? Oh, my god, Ronan, it's not that is it?"

He shrugs. "I think it might be. Why? Let me look it up." He brings out his phone and glances down at the screen, but I can't help myself. I grab his arm.

He blinks up at me in surprise.

"Rosaline Hargrove! My favorite author of all time ever!"

He holds out the screen for me to see. "It appears so. I'm glad you're excited."

I should let go of him. I know I should. He's looking at me funny. Only I can't. My grip only tightens in my excitement.

"Oh, my god. I think I'm going to throw up and pass out both at once."

"Please don't." His tone is serious, but he's smiling.

"This is the best! But you have to work! You're going to miss out."

He snorts. "Somehow, I will live with that. You be sure to enjoy it, though. I look forward to a full review of the book when you've finished."

I smile down into my pancakes. Does he know how smutty Rosaline Hargrove's books are? They might be regency, but that does not stop her writing the most toe curling filth I've ever read.

Ronan chuckles and lowers his voice. "Oh, I'm definitely looking forward to that review if the color of your cheeks is any indication." He slides my plate closer to me. "Eat up. You need your strength for a full day of pampering. I've had Anna prepare some salads to leave in the fridge in case you're home for lunch but if not, don't worry. She'll make up some things for dinner as well, so don't feel the need to lift a finger."

I stare at him. He really means it. I like this Ronan Kernos. The secret tender one apparently set on spoiling me more than I've ever been spoiled in my life. Maybe Courtney was right. Maybe I really should have offered him that blowjob weeks ago. Apparently, an orgasm for him is almost as good as a personality change.

To be fair, if his was anything like the three he gave me last night, I understand.

I'm still swooning as he waves goodbye and steps out the door, briefcase in hand.

I'm grinning so hard into my pancakes I'm startled when Amy pulls out the seat next to me and sits. I'd kind of forgotten everyone else was here.

"Whatever you're doing, keep doing it," she says in a low voice.

The crew bustle around preparing what they need for the trip to the spa and the book signing, which they apparently need to film. Even the thought of being filmed while wearing only a bathrobe or a sheet is not enough to wipe the stupid smile off my face. The pancakes are delicious. A little gritty, but the sweet tartness of the berry compote more than makes up for that.

Kind of like Ronan, really. He can be grumpy, but there are so many things about him that make that easy to forget.