Chapter 338
**Sara**
I woke up disoriented, sunlight streaming through a gap in unfamiliar curtains. For a moment, I couldn't remember where I was, and then it hit me – Sydney.
I rolled over, expecting to find him beside me, but his side of the bed was empty.
Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes and checked the bedside clock. 11:04 AM. I'd slept for nearly six hours, but with the time difference, my body had no idea what time it was supposed to be.
"Tom?" I called out, my voice still raspy with sleep.
"In here," came his reply from the suite's living area.
I slipped out of bed, running a hand through my tangled hair.
Tom was sitting on the couch, laptop balanced on his knees, looking far too put-together for someone who'd been up as late as I had. He wore a simple t-shirt and jeans, his hair slightly damp as if he'd showered not long ago.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," he said, glancing up with a smile that made my heart flip.
I rubbed my eyes, still feeling the fog of jet lag clouding my brain. "Morning. You look suspiciously productive for someone who was up until the crack of dawn."
Tom quickly minimized a window on his laptop, sitting up straighter and furrowing his brow in an exaggerated expression of concentration. "Yes, very busy. Important business things. Spreadsheets. Numbers. Corporate stuff."
I padded over to the couch and peered over his shoulder. "Oh really? What kind of corporate stuff requires you to have your serious business face on?" I reached for his laptop. "Let me see these important spreadsheets, Professor Blackwood."
He playfully swatted my hand away. "Hands off the classified business documents."
"You're watching cat videos, aren't you?"
"I would never! It's actually dogs. Very different."
I plopped down next to him and snatched the laptop. I opened the minimized window to find a compilation of puppies trying to howl for the first time. "Ah yes, I see the quarterly reports are looking very fluffy this year."
"It's research," Tom insisted with a straight face. "Studies show that watching puppies increases productivity by at least sixty-seven percent."
"Is that a real statistic, or did you just make it up?"
"I'm a professor. I don't make things up." He paused. "Okay, it's eighty-two percent."
I burst out laughing, the sound filling the spacious suite. "You're ridiculous. Has anyone ever told you that?"
"Only you, about three times a day." He leaned over and planted a kiss on my lips. "But I'll take it as a compliment."
I snuggled into his side, still watching the puppy video. "Have you had coffee yet? Because I desperately need some if I'm going to function today."
"I had some around nine but skipped breakfast." He closed the laptop and set it on the coffee table. "I was waiting for Sleeping Beauty to wake up."
"More like Sleeping Disaster," I muttered, running a hand through my tangled hair. "I probably look like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket."
"You look perfect," he said, his voice softening as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
"And you need glasses." I stood up and stretched. "I'm ordering coffee before you say any more sleep-deprived compliments."
Tom reached for the hotel phone. "Already on it. What do you want? Americano? Latte? Something with seventeen syllables and whipped cream?"
"Just a large coffee with cream. And maybe a croissant if they have them."
He nodded and dialed room service, placing our order with the ease of someone used to staying in fancy hotels. After hanging up, he patted the spot next to him on the couch. "They said fifteen minutes."
I flopped back down beside him. "So what's the plan for today? Besides watching more puppy videos, obviously."
"I thought we could explore the harbor, maybe take a ferry to Manly Beach. The weather's perfect."
"Sounds amazing." I rested my head on his shoulder. "Hey, are Leo and Kate still in Australia? Or did they head back already?"
"They're actually in the suite across the hall," Tom said, gesturing vaguely toward the door. "Leo had some meetings this morning, but I think they plan to go sightseeing this afternoon."
"Wait, they're right across the hall? Like, right now?" I sat up straight, suddenly conscious of my outfit.
"Don't worry, they're probably out already. Leo mentioned something about breakfast at some fancy place Kate wanted to try." He grinned. "Why? Planning to avoid my family already?"
"No! I wasn't planning to meet them looking like I just crawled out of a cave."
"A very cute cave," Tom assured me, earning himself an eye roll.
A knock at the door announced the arrival of our coffee. Tom answered while I quickly ducked into the bedroom to brush my hair and splash some water on my face.
When I emerged, feeling slightly more human, Tom had set up a small spread on the coffee table – two steaming mugs of coffee, a plate of croissants, and some fresh fruit.
"Room service really stepped up their game," I said, reaching for a mug and inhaling the rich aroma.
"Only the best for Blackwood's important business meetings," he said with a wink.
I took a long sip of coffee and sighed contentedly. "This might be the best coffee I've ever had, or I might just be delirious from jet lag."
"Probably both." Tom bit into a croissant. "So, Manly Beach? Or would you rather see the Opera House first?"
"Let's enjoy breakfast first," I said, reaching for a croissant. "Give me thirty minutes to shower properly and put on clothes."
"Take your time. We have all day." He smiled that smile again – the one that made my heart do gymnastics. "And I'm not planning on letting you out of my sight."
"Clingy much?" I teased, but the warmth in my chest told a different story.
"Absolutely." He leaned over and kissed me. "And I'm not even a little bit sorry about it."
I couldn't help but smile against his lips. "Good, because you're stuck with me for the whole trip."
"Oh no, what a terrible fate," Tom deadpanned, pulling me closer. "Trapped in a luxury hotel with a beautiful woman. However, will I cope?"
I smacked his arm playfully. "Your life is so hard."
"Speaking of hard..." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Thomas Blackwood!" I exclaimed, nearly choking on my coffee. "Did you just make a dirty joke before I've finished my first cup of caffeine?"
He grinned, not looking remotely apologetic. "I believe I did. Is there a rule against morning innuendos I should know about?"
"Yes. It's called the 'Let Sara Become a Functioning Human Being First' rule. Very important. Top scientists recommend it."
"These scientists sound boring. I prefer my own research methods." He leaned in for another kiss, but I held up my coffee mug as a barrier.
"Coffee first, funny business second."
Tom sighed dramatically, flopping back against the couch. "Fine. But I'm starting a timer."
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