Kissing Trouble by Airicka Phoenix, Morgana Phoenix Page A

journey.
    “Morning.”
    Mason sat at the table, dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt. His hair was tussled like he hadn’t bothered brushing it. There was a mug of coffee in front of him and a cream cheese bagel.
    “Morning.” She moved to the coffee pot, still steaming on the counter. “You’re up early.”
    Her grip was nearly steady as she tipped the pot into a mug. The warmth of it burned her palms as she cradled the liquid of life to her chest and shuffled over to take a seat at the table.
    “So are you.”
    Julie sipped, then sighed as the rich warmth trickled down her throat and settled comfortably in the pit of her stomach.
    “I don’t think I slept a wink,” she mumbled honestly, setting her cup down. “I woke up every hour to check on the kids.” She bit her lip, watching the ripples on the surface of her drink. “I kept expecting someone to break in and...”
    “Hey.” Mason reached across the distance and lightly slipped his fingers around her wrist. He pulled her hand away from her mug and held on to it. She let him. Let the warmth and comfort of his touch sooth her, even if it was temporary. “I won’t let anything happen to you, or the kids. I promise.”
    Her gaze slid away from their joined hands to clash with the eyes searching her face. Her skin tingled even as her chest did that weird fluttering thing. She quickly pulled away.
    “The kids will be up soon.” She pushed to her feet. “I should start on breakfast.”
    Taking her mug with her, she stepped behind the security of the island, putting the chunk of marble and wood between her and the man seducing her resolution.
    She didn’t know what to make of the Mason standing before her. He had, only four years earlier, made it perfectly clear that he had no interest in her whatsoever. Yet there he was now, acting like he cared, touching her, and using those smoldering good looks on her like she were one of the girls that normally clung to him. Did he really think that, just because he made her heart palpitate a little faster and her knees a little weaker, she would just forgive him for what he did?
    Turning her back on him, she yanked out pans and set them on the stove. Her mind was set on repeat, reminding her he would be leaving in four days and she could go back to pretending he never existed. What were the odds of them ever crossing paths again?
    Comforted in her own thoughts, Julie broke eggs into a bowl and dropped strips of bacon into the first pan. The greasy scent of frying meat filled the air. She popped pieces of toast into the toaster while pouring the egg mixture into the second pan. She did all this without giving the figure at the table a single glance. It was simple only in theory.
    Whether it was the clang of pots and pans or the smell of breakfast, it drew Dustin and Rick into the room. Rick seemed more awake than his older brother, but Dustin made up for his lack of alertness by glowering hotly at everyone. Apparently, he hadn’t gotten over his grounding the day before. Julie didn’t let it bother her.
    She smiled at the two. “Morning! Where’s Wendy?”
    “Sleeping,” Rick muttered around a wide yawn. “I smelled food.”
    Julie waved them to the table and began filling their plates. She was just pouring orange juice when Wendy stumbled into the room, looking exhausted.
    “Did I miss breakfast?”
    “Nope, just started.”
    Julie got Wendy a plate and urged her into a seat.
    “Can I have more bacon?” Rick called.
    “I want more juice,” Dustin chimed.
    “I don’t like scrambled eggs,” Wendy whined.
    Julie was reaching for the plate of bacon when a hand rested over hers, stopping her.
    Mason met her gaze as he dragged the plate away from her. “Grab yourself a plate. I’ll deal with the savages.”
    “Oh, it’s okay—”
    “Sit!” he urged, nudging her towards the table.
    Not accustomed to being assisted, Julie sat and watched as he dropped bacon onto Rick’s plate, told Dustin to get his own