Page 59 of Protected By My Playboy Billionaire

“Good morning,” he greets me with a grin, flipping a pancake with impressive ease.

“It’s a good morning indeed,” I reply, leaning against the doorway and watching him pour what looks like jam in a small bowl. “It smells wonderful.”

He chuckles. “Well, I figured after what I did to you last night, the least I could do is feed you… again.”

I glance down at the shirt, suddenly aware of how it hangs loosely on my frame, the fabric soft against my skin.Feed you again. Heat rises to my cheeks as I realize the implications of his words.

I wince slightly as I move over to sit on one of the barstools, the soreness from last night’s… activities making itself known. Adrian notices my discomfort, and his expression softens.

“Are you sore?” he asks, setting down the spatula and crossing the kitchen to stand in front of me.

“Yes, a little,” I admit as he kisses the top of my head. He smells so good.

“Maybe you should take it easy today. You don’t have to come to the office with me.”

I consider his suggestion for a second.

“You don’t think my boss would be mad if I called in sore?” I grin at him with raised brows.

Adrian chuckles again and walks back to the stove.

“Nah, I’m actually quite close with your boss. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you bribed him a little.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh, really? And just how close are you with my boss?”

Adrian leans towards me from across the kitchen conspiratorially, his voice dropping to a murmur. “Someone could ask you thesame question.”

“The pancakes are phenomenal,” I say through a mouthful of heaven. “Even Ethan’s pancakes can’t compare to these. Is there something you can’t do?”

“It’s my grandmother’s recipe. She used to make them every Saturday.” Adrian sets his fork down with a fond smile. “Ethan and I used to watch TV and eat pancakes until we had to roll off the couch. She would also give us homemade jam, but I never learned how to make that.” He pops another piece of pancake into his mouth, still smiling.

“You two really were like brothers.” I knew they are close, of course. After all, Adrian would come over almost every day before he moved and became… Mr. Morgan.

“Still are. He will never stop being my brother.” He takes a sip from his coffee and sets it down before slicing into his pancake again.

“You love him,” I say almost absentmindedly.

“I love him,” Adrian confirms with a nod after a moment of silence. “Of course I love him. I always will.”

“He loves you, too. Very much.” I give him a soft smile and take a sip of my tea.

“What’s not to love?” Adrian chuckles, and I follow him. Truly, what’s not to love? There’s something bothering him. I can see it in the way he takes his next breath.

“Do you really have to go to the office today?” I ask instead.

“Mhm,” he murmurs while chewing.

“I just thought, since you’re so close with the boss, you could stay here today.” I watch him with expectance, but he simply shakes his head.

“Trust me, spending the day with you is a far more pleasant alternative, but there are things to take care of, especially after last night.”

Right, he fired Victoria. I keep myself from smiling at the thought.

“Go ahead and smile. You don’t have to pretend.” He nudges me and pops the last piece of pancake in his mouth. “I have to go get ready.” He taps his phone to check the time and slides off the barstool, taking his plate with him.

“I’ll miss you,” I admit, watching him put the plate in the sink. He walks back to me and bendsdown to kiss me.

“I’ll miss you, too, baby,” he murmurs against my lips, sending butterflies through my tummy with the last word.