Chapter 254
**Sara**
I woke to sunlight streaming through the bedroom window and a warm, solid presence behind me. Tom's arm was draped over my waist, his breath tickling the back of my neck. We must have moved from the couch to my bed at some point, though I had zero recollection of how.
"Mmm." I stretched, accidentally elbowing Tom in the process.
"Ow." His grip tightened around me. "Is that how you say good morning?"
"Sorry." I twisted around to face him, taking in his adorably rumpled appearance. His hair stuck up in about twelve different directions, and a faint pillow crease was on his cheek. "Actually, no, I'm not sorry. That's what you get for moving me without permission."
He cracked one eye open. "You were drooling on my shoulder."
"I do not drool!"
"Tell that to the wet spot on my shoulder."
I smacked his chest. "You're such a jerk in the morning."
"And you're violent." He caught my hand before I could smack him again, bringing it to his lips. "But cute."
"Flattery won't work." I tried to maintain my indignant expression, but it was hard when he looked at me like that. "Okay, maybe somewhere. But first - coffee."
Tom groaned as I wiggled out of his grasp. "You're choosing coffee over morning cuddles?"
"Every time." I hopped out of bed, padding to my closet. The morning air felt crisp against my skin. I rummaged through my drawers, pulling out a light blue tank top and cotton shorts. No need for underwear - it was my apartment after all.
Tom had already thrown on his clothes from yesterday while I was getting dressed. Show off. He could go from sleepy to put-together in thirty seconds flat.
"Coffee's this way, professor." I headed to the kitchen, my bare feet silent against the hardwood floors. The familiar ritual of measuring grounds and filling the water tank helped chase away the last wisps of sleep fog.
Tom leaned against the counter. "Most people would kill for morning cuddles with their professor."
"Most people haven't seen how grumpy said professor is before caffeine." I pressed the start button, and the machine gurgled to life.
"I'm not grumpy."
"You literally growled at me last week when I suggested breakfast before coffee."
"That was a sneeze."
"Right." I grabbed two mugs from the cabinet.
The rich aroma of fresh coffee filled the kitchen, wrapping around us like a warm embrace. I carefully poured each of us a cup, savoring the comforting sound of the liquid filling the mugs.
"Balcony?" I suggested, but I was already heading for the sliding glass doors.
The morning air wrapped around us as we stepped outside. The city was just waking up, and the streets were still quiet except for the occasional early bird jogger or delivery truck. I curled up in my favorite chair, cradling my coffee close.
"This view never gets old," Tom mused, settling into the chair beside me.
"The view of the city, or..." I stretched deliberately, knowing exactly how the thin tank top would respond.
He nearly choked on his coffee. "You're dangerous in the morning."
"Only in the morning?"
"Point taken." His eyes lingered on my chest before snapping back to my face. "You did that on purpose."
I took a slow sip of coffee, feigning innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sure you don't." He reached over, his fingers brushing my knee. "Just like you have no idea why you skipped certain pieces of clothing this morning."
"It's called being comfortable in my own home." I swatted his hand away. "Coffee first, remember?"
He laughed, settling back in his chair. The morning sun cast long shadows across the balcony, painting everything in a soft golden glow. I watched him over the rim of my mug, enjoying how the light played across his features.
"So," Tom cleared his throat, setting his empty mug on the small table between us. "I've been thinking."
"Dangerous hobby."
"Funny." He rolled his eyes. "I was wondering if you'd like to stay at my place until I leave for Australia."
I nearly spat out my coffee. "What?"
"Just throwing it out there."
"Why?" I narrowed my eyes at him. "Is this some elaborate scheme to get me to do your laundry before your trip?"
"Yes, Sara. I'm secretly hoping you'll color-code my sock drawer." His deadpan delivery made me snort. "I just thought it might be nice to spend some time together before I'm stuck in meetings for a week."
"Ah, so you admit it - you'll miss me."
"I'll miss your coffee-making skills."
"Rude." I kicked his shin lightly. "I'll think about it."
"Actually..." He shifted in his chair, and I recognized his 'I'm not done yet' expression. "You could stay even while I'm gone. Until I get back."
"In your empty apartment?"
"It's not exactly empty. There's furniture. And a very expensive coffee machine."
"Now you're just trying to bribe me with caffeine."
"Is it working?"
I pretended to consider it. "The coffee machine is tempting..."
"Plus, my bed is bigger than yours."
"Are you insulting my bed now?"
"Just stating facts." He reached over, stole my nearly empty mug, and placed it next to his. "Your bed is tiny. Mine is practically its own zip code."
"You're ridiculous." But I couldn't help smiling. "I said I'll think about it."
"That's not a no."
"It's not a yes either." I stretched my legs out, propping my feet on his lap. "Don't think I didn't notice you trying to distract me from asking about this mysterious Australia trip."
"Business event. Very boring. Lots of old men in suits talking about numbers."
"Sounds thrilling."
"Oh, absolutely. I can't wait to spend hours discussing profit margins while eating rubber chicken."
"Poor baby." I wiggled my toes against his thigh. "Having to suffer through first-class flights and five-star hotels."
"See? You understand my pain." His fingers wrapped around my ankle, thumb tracing lazy circles. "So... about staying at my place?"
"Still thinking."
"The coffee machine makes espresso too."
"Now you're just getting desperate."
"I'm not desperate." Tom's fingers continued their lazy path along my ankle. "Just asking. Like a normal, non-desperate person who happens to have an excellent coffee machine going to waste."
"Uh-huh." I squinted at him. "And the way you've mentioned this coffee machine four times in the last five minutes is totally casual?"
"Three times." He held up his fingers. "I counted."
"Oh my god, you actually counted." I burst out laughing, pulling my feet from his lap. "That's even worse."
"I'm a professor. We're good with numbers."
"You teach corporate finance, not basic arithmetic."
"Same difference." He shrugged, then caught my eye. "So..."
"So?"
"About staying at my place?"
I stood up, collecting our empty mugs. "I'll think about it, okay? Promise I'll let you know for sure."
"That's fair." He followed me inside, hovering by the kitchen counter while I rinsed the mugs.
I caught his reflection in the window - he was definitely checking out my ass. "See something you like, Tom?"
"Just admiring the view." He didn't even try to deny it. "Those shorts are criminal."
"They're perfectly innocent." I placed the mugs in the dish rack. "Your mind is what's criminal."
"Can't argue with that." His hands found my hips. "Especially when you're bending over like that."
I wiggled free from his grasp, slipping out from under his hands with a playful grin. "Down, boy. Some of us have actual jobs to get to."
Tom pulled me back against him. "Five more minutes." His hands traced along my waist, making me shiver.
"Someone's needy this morning." I leaned into him despite my protest. "I thought professors were supposed to be dignified."
"Dignity is overrated." His fingers traced patterns on my hips. "Besides, you started it with that stretching routine on the balcony."
"Me? I was just enjoying my morning coffee like a proper adult."
"Right. And that tank top just happened to ride up every time you moved."
"Pure coincidence." I tapped his nose. "Now let me go get ready for work."
"Fine." He sighed dramatically. "I'll drive you."
"How sweet of you." I batted my eyelashes. "Such a gentleman."
"More like I'm not done with you yet."
Before I could fire back a witty response, his mouth claimed mine. The kiss was hot and demanding, sending sparks of electricity down my spine. His hands tangled in my hair, angling my head to deepen the kiss.
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