269: EXHILARATED AND EXHAUSTED ARIEL’S POV And I was right here, standing in this kitchen, feeling Luke’s presence behind me, his warm hands wrapping around my waist. I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that this touch was the type that brought the exhilarating passion within me–a passion so intense that it seemed to consume every fiber of my being. His touch was like a symphony playing on my skin, each caress sending delightful shivers down my spine. The connection we shared was beyond words–a silent understanding that spoke volumes in the silence of our embraces. As his fingers traced patterns on my skin, I could feel my heart racing and my breath catching in my throat. Each touch was a revelation–a discovery of hidden desires and unspoken yearnings. At this point, time seemed to stand still, the world fading away as we became lost in each other. The flames of our passion burned brightly, casting a warm glow that illuminated the depths of our souls. In his arms, I felt safe and vulnerable all at once, a heady mix of emotions that left me breathless. Our connection was like a dance, a give and take of energy and emotion that left us both exhilarated and exhausted. I reveled in the way his hands moved over my body, mapping out every curve and contour as if trying to memorize me with his touch. Each soft kiss was a promise, and each embrace was a vow of devotion. In those moments, nothing else mattered but the two of us, intertwined in a dance as old as time itself. In his arms, I found solace and passion, a refuge from the storms of life that raged outside our cocoon of intimacy. “You know, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” he whispered, his breath tickling my neck. I turned around to face him, a smile spreading across my face. “And you are mine,” I replied, kissing his lips gently. “But seriously, I have to prepare breakfast for Janice. Weren’t you there when she told me she was hungry?” “Yeah, I was there.” I laughed. “Yeah, so hold on. Just give me some time to get this done. I’ll come straight to you when I’m done.” “I think I’ll be the one coming to you.” He grinned. “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” “Yes, but I wanted to spend some time with my family. Jack has everything under control.” *Jack, right. The future owner of The Reynolds.” I joked. Luke laughed straightaway. “I genuinely have no words for you.” “Great, so you can leave now.” I smiled and kissed his lips. After that, I held both of his shoulders, turned him around, and walked him out of the kitchen. After that, I opened the fridge to get the ingredients for breakfast, and then I heard footsteps approaching. I turned around to see one of the maids walking into the kitchen. “Good morning, miss,” she greeted me with a warm smile. “Good morning. How are you today?” I replied, returning her smile. “I’m good, thank you. Do you need any help with breakfast?” She asked, gesturing towards the ingredients on the counter. I chuckled. “No, thank you. I’ve got everything under control.” “Are you sure? I don’t mind helping,” she insisted. I appreciated her offer but knew I could handle cooking breakfast for Janice and myself. “Yes, I’m sure. But you can help me clean up once I’m done cooking.” She nodded, but then she hesitated before speaking again. “Is there anything else I can do to help? Like washing the dishes or doing other stuff in the kitchen?” I smiled at her eagerness to assist. “Thank you. But I’ll take care of everything in the kitchen. You can go and clean somewhere else in the house.” The maid looked like she wanted to say something else, but I could tell she didn’t want to overstep her boundaries. “Okay, miss. I’ll leave you to it then.” After she left the kitchen, I felt a little guilty for brushing her off. But I knew that she had other tasks to attend to, and I didn’t want to burden her with my responsibilities. I turned my attention back to breakfast and decided to make one of Janice’s favorites: fluffy pancakes with fresh berries and whipped cream. I carefully measured out the ingredients and started mixing them together. The smell of pancakes filled the kitchen, and I knew Janice would love this. Once the pancakes were cooking on the griddle, I started preparing the fresh berries. As I was slicing them, I heard Janice’s footsteps approaching. I quickly turned around and saw her running into the kitchen with a big smile on her face. “Mommy, Mommy!” she exclaimed, giving me a hug. “Oh, my love. Were you having a great time?” I asked, kissing her forehead. asked, looking around. “Pancakes should be one of your favorites,” I replied, pointing to the griddle. “Can I help you, Mommy?” Janice asked eagerly. I smiled at her enthusiasm. “I think you should go and play, my love. I’ll get everything done,” I replied, trying to shoo her away. But Janice refused. “No, I want to help you make breakfast. I promise I’ll be a good helper,” she said, giving me her best pleading look. I couldn’t resist her adorable face. “Okay, but are you sure you want to help? It might get a little messy,” I warned her. Janice nodded and smiled back at me. “I’m sure, Mommy. Please, let me help,” she exclaimed, jumping up and down. I laughed and gave in. “Alright then, let’s get started.” I patted her head. Janice clapped her hands in excitement, and I showed her how to mix the batter. She carefully poured the ingredients into the bowl and stirred it with a big wooden spoon. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her, her little face scrunched up in concentration. Once the batter was ready, I showed her how to pour it onto the griddle, making sure the pancakes were perfectly round. She did a great job, and we soon had a stack of fluffy pancakes ready. “Now for the best part, the toppings,” I said as I brought out the fresh berries and whipped cream. Janice’s eyes lit up at the sight of the colorful berries. “Can I help with this too?” “Of course, my little helper,” I replied, handing her a bowl and a spoon. We worked together, carefully placing the berries on top of the pancakes and adding a dollop of whipped cream. Janice couldn’t stop giggling, and I couldn’t stop smiling at her. “Mommy, these look so yummy. I can’t wait to eat them.” Janice licked her lips. “They do look delicious, don’t they? And you helped make them, so they’ll taste even better,” I replied, ruffling her hair. We sat down at the kitchen table, admiring our work. Janice took a big bite of her pancake, and her face lit up with delight./ “Mmm, these are the best pancakes ever.* She nodded leisurely, relishing the bite. I laughed and took a bite of my own. They were indeed delicious. Just perfect. It didn’t take long before Luke traipsed into the kitchen.
