Celine took a sip of her coffee, watching August lean back, his eyes still fixed on her with that teasing sparkle.
"Hey," she said, trying to sound stern but failing, "stop staring at me like that. You're making me nervous."
"Making you nervous?" he echoed, a slow grin spreading across his face. He leaned just a little closer, so their knees brushed under the table. "You're adorable when you're flustered."
Celine's cheeks flamed hotter. "I am not flustered," she insisted, though her hand trembled slightly as she reached for her cup.
August's fingers grazed hers, brushing lightly. "Sure… not flustered," he murmured, his voice low, teasing. "Keep telling yourself that."
She tried to focus on her coffee, but the warmth of his hand lingered on hers, and she felt a small shiver run through her. "You're impossible," she muttered, unable to stop the smile tugging at her lips.
He chuckled, leaning back slightly, still holding her gaze. "And you love it," he said simply.
Celine rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the warmth in her chest. She reached over to pour him a sip of his coffee, their fingers brushing again. August's smile widened, and he gave her hand a playful squeeze.
"Careful," he teased, "I might start thinking you're trying to steal my breakfast and my heart."
Celine gasped dramatically, then laughed, swatting at him lightly. "You're ridiculous!"
He leaned forward, resting an elbow on the table, his eyes softening now, watching her with quiet affection. "Maybe," he said, voice gentler, "but you make it worth being ridiculous for."
Celine's heart fluttered, and she looked down at her coffee, smiling shyly. "You really do know how to ruin a perfectly good breakfast with charm," she said, though the blush on her cheeks betrayed her delight.
August leaned back, rubbing his tummy again, fully satisfied. "Breakfast may be over, but this," he said, nodding toward her, "is only just beginning."
Celine began clearing the plates, a small spring in her step as she smiled at herself for somehow managing breakfast. She picked up her fork and took a bite of what remained of the egg, only to freeze mid-chew.
Her eyes widened. It's… tasteless.
Her gaze snapped toward August, who was leaning back in his chair, rubbing his tummy with a satisfied grin. "How… how were you able to eat this?" she demanded, swallowing a mouthful of coffee hastily to keep from choking on her embarrassment.
August's grin widened mischievously. "Mmm?" he hummed innocently, as if he hadn't just devoured something almost flavorless.
"You—!" she started, glaring, cheeks heating. "You ate this and didn't say a word?!"
He leaned forward, fingers brushing hers on the table. "Hey," he said softly, eyes twinkling, "I praise the chef, not the food. And besides…" He paused, a slow smile spreading. "I like you. So I can eat anything you make."
Celine's jaw dropped, part shock, part warmth flooding through her. She blinked, unsure whether to glare or melt. "You're impossible," she muttered, though a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
August chuckled, reaching over to squeeze her hand gently. "Maybe. But you love it," he said, teasing yet affectionate.
She shook her head, muttering under her breath as she stacked the plates. "I swear… Womanhood would kill me if they saw me feeding a man tasteless eggs."
"Maybe they'd forgive you," he teased, leaning back, "if they saw me enjoying every bite anyway."
Celine flushed, looking down at her hands, a small smile hiding behind her embarrassment.
August watched her stack the plates, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Sit down," he said, gesturing toward the chair. "I'll make you something."
Celine blinked, surprised. "You… you're making me something?" she asked, a little unsure.
He grinned, crossing his arms. "You made me breakfast, so let me replicate the favor. It's only fair."
Her eyes widened, and a blush spread across her cheeks. "I… you don't have to," she stammered, flustered.
"I want to," he said simply, voice low, warm. "Now, sit."
Celine hesitated for a moment, then sank into the chair, watching him move to the stove. In a few swift, confident motions, he cracked an egg into a small pan, swirling it gently, letting it cook just right. The kitchen smelled rich and buttery, simple, yet comforting.
"Here," August said after a moment, plating the egg carefully and setting it in front of her. "For you."
Celine's cheeks flamed as he leaned closer, picking up a fork. "Try this," he said softly, and, before she could react, he guided the fork to her lips.
She gasped lightly, caught off guard by the gesture, then let him feed her. The egg was perfect, warm, flavorful, simple, but made somehow sweeter by his attention.
"See?" he murmured, smiling at her wide, amazed eyes. "Nothing to worry about. Just enjoy it."
Celine's heart fluttered, a mix of embarrassment and delight making her pulse quicken. "You… you're really… feeding me?" she asked softly.
August leaned back slightly, eyes gleaming with warmth and amusement. "I can't help it," he said, voice low, teasing. "You look too good struggling in the kitchen. I had to make it better… for you."
She laughed softly, covering her mouth with one hand, feeling a delicious mix of warmth and flustered affection. "You're impossible," she whispered, shaking her head, but the smile on her face betrayed her completely.
After breakfast, Celine settled on August's lap, laptop balanced carefully on her knees. Her fingers danced across the keyboard, sketches and notes forming the foundation of her new Easter collection. Chanel had requested something "outside of the box," something daring, a little unexpected, and Celine was determined to rise to the challenge.
August's hands found their way into her hair first, palming it gently, ruffling it just enough to make her shiver.
"August!" she exclaimed, glancing up from her screen. "You're distracting me!"
His grin was mischievous, eyes glinting as he leaned closer. He pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, nibbled lightly at her neck, and let his fingers trace hers as she typed. "Am I?" he murmured teasingly, nibbling at her jaw now. "I thought I was helping…"
Celine flushed, swatting gently at his hands. "Helping? By nibbling my neck?"
He chuckled, soft and warm, leaning in again to press a quick peck to her fingers. "Yes… by keeping you alert," he said, voice low and teasing.
She shook her head, cheeks bright red, trying to focus on the screen. "August, I really need to concentrate."
He ignored her protests, massaging her scalp with careful, slow motions, tugging her hair slightly in a playful tug. "Hmm… I am helping," he murmured, letting his lips brush her temple, a feather-light touch that made her pulse quicken.
Celine groaned softly, leaning back against him just enough to hide her fluster. "You're impossible," she muttered, though the warmth spreading through her chest betrayed her irritation, or maybe her delight.
August leaned closer, voice low and teasing, nipping at her ear. "You love it," he whispered.
"I… I don't!" she said quickly, though her fingers faltered on the keyboard as she tried to sketch.
"Uh-huh," he said, nuzzling her neck again, "that's exactly what you're telling yourself."
Celine's eyes narrowed at her laptop, trying to ignore August. But August wasn't done. His fingers traced lightly along her shoulder, slipping under the strap of her top to palm her hair again. He pressed soft kisses along her neck, making her shiver involuntarily.
"August!" she gasped, trying to keep her voice firm. "I really need to concentrate!"
He hummed, ignoring her protest, then pecked the back of her hand where it rested on the trackpad. "Hmm… you say that, but your fingers don't seem so focused," he teased, nibbling gently at her ear.
Celine's cheeks flushed crimson, her fingers stalling mid-sketch. "You're… impossible!" she said, trying not to squirm against him.
"Maybe," he said, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Or maybe I'm just… keeping things interesting."
She tried to retaliate, giving him a playful push, but he tightened his arms around her waist just slightly, preventing her from moving. "I see what you're doing," he murmured. "Trying to focus… and failing."
Celine groaned, leaning back against his chest. "I am trying!"
He chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek, then trailing down to her jaw, making her gasp. "Oh, I know you are," he whispered, his lips brushing her neck in teasing little nibbles.
She finally spun around in his lap, facing him with a mock glare. "Fine! If you're going to be a distraction, I'm going to fight back," she said, grabbing his wrist to stop his fingers from playing with her hair.
August raised an amused eyebrow, smiling. "Oh? You think you can distract me now?"
"I will," she said firmly, her tone teasing but her eyes sparkling. She leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, watching him blink, momentarily stunned.
"Clever," he murmured, recovering quickly. Then, grinning, he leaned in again, capturing her lips in a soft, lingering kiss, playful, warm, intimate.
Celine laughed against his lips, breaking away just enough to grin at him. "See? You're distracted now!"
August chuckled, nuzzling her hair. "True… but now we're both distracted."
Heat surged through her, and without thinking, she turned her face toward him, pressing her lips firmly against his.
August's eyes widened in surprise for the briefest moment, then a slow, mischievous smile spread across his face as he deepened the kiss. Hands sliding up her waist, he pulled her impossibly closer, letting the laptop wobble precariously on her knees.
Celine didn't back down. Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging gently, testing the boundaries. She pressed herself harder against him, challenging him with the intensity of her kiss.
He responded instantly, lips moving over hers with heated determination, a teasing growl vibrating from deep in his chest. Her body pressed against him, knees tucked against his legs, fingers gripping him like she couldn't let go.
She pulled back just slightly, breathless, forehead resting against his. "You think you're the only one distracting?" she murmured, voice husky, teasing.
August's grin was wicked. "Oh, I know I'm not," he said, leaning in again, brushing his nose along hers, stealing another long, slow kiss.
Celine's laugh was soft, breathless against his lips as she nipped at his bottom lip, tugging him in closer. "I can do this too, you know," she whispered, letting her hands roam in his hair, holding him close.
He chuckled against her mouth, warmth spreading through her. "I don't doubt it for a second," he murmured. "And I don't think either of us wants to stop."
August's lips captured hers with a heated urgency, hands tangled in her hair. Before Celine could even react, he flipped their positions, effortlessly throwing her onto the couch without breaking the kiss.
She gasped as she landed, but he didn't relent. Their mouths stayed locked, hands roaming, and the world seemed to disappear around them.
Neither of them noticed the front door opening.
"Ahem."
Celine and August froze mid-kiss, heads snapping toward the sound. Julian stood in the doorway, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
Celine's eyes widened in panic. She shoved August off her, sending him tumbling to the floor with a loud thud.
"Damn!" August groaned, rubbing his side, still smirking.
"Well, since you guys are making out, I suppose you're alright," Julian said brazenly.
Celine's cheeks flamed bright pink. She raised a hand to brush at her thick curls, trying to hide the evidence, but her hair refused to cooperate, bouncing back into place in defiance.
"Remind me not to sit on that couch. Who knows…" Julian added, a teasing lilt in his voice.
"Julian!" Celine shrieked, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
August chuckled from the floor, looking up at his brother. "Bad timing, bro."
Julian winked. "That's why you love me," he said, striding into the kitchen , leaving the couple flustered and laughing.
Celine buried her face in her hands, her heart racing, while August slowly rose to his feet, still grinning. "Well," he said, offering her a hand, "that was… fun."
***
Julian strolled out of the kitchen, balancing a plate piled high with cookies and a small bowl of yogurt.
"Can you stop raiding my kitchen?" August groaned, rubbing his temples.
"I can't help it," Julian said with a shrug, shoving a cookie into his mouth.
"They taste better," he mumbled with his mouth full, just as crumbs and a bit of yogurt spilled out.
"Gross! Close your mouth, idiot!" Celine chimed in from the couch, laughter bubbling up. August laughed along with her, shaking his head.
Celine grabbed her laptop, still giggling, and walked toward the veranda to continue her work. August's eyes followed her until she disappeared into the sunlit space.
"Bro… you are cooked," Julian said, nudging him playfully.
August's grin lingered as he watched her go. "Yeah… is it not obvious?"
"Duh. Does she feel the same?" Julian asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.
August's smile faltered slightly, frowning as he paused. "I think… I don't know. We haven't put a label on whatever this is yet. With everything going on, I don't want to rush her into anything," he admitted, voice soft but honest.
Julian raised an eyebrow. "Always the gentleman. So… dude, what the hell happened to your restaurant?"
He changed the subject, concern flickering across his face. "I was… hyperventilating when I saw the news. Even the vintage wine… God, I loved those wines."
"You hardly know their names," August teased. "Give me an expensive wine here."
Julian tried to recall it but could only remember half. "They all taste the same," he said, waving it off lightly to hide his embarrassment.
August sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Nothing my insurance won't fix," he muttered, though the concern still lingered in his eyes.
Julian leaned back in his chair, swirling the yogurt in his bowl. "So… you got on anyone's bad side lately?" he asked casually.
"Hardly," August said, voice calm but steady. "You know me, man. I try my best to keep my customers happy. First rule of a happy business? Happy customers."
Julian raised an eyebrow. "Any ideas?" he asked, swallowing a bite of yogurt, glancing at August carefully.
" Though Celine suspect her Ex who trashed her apartment".
"That's shitty, bro," Julian muttered, shaking his head, trying to joke. "Her ex, can't get over her?"
August's jaw tightened slightly, eyes narrowing as he stared ahead. "Yeah… her past," he said possessively, the words low, almost a growl.
Julian laughed, undeterred by the edge in August's tone. "You are in, bro," he said, grinning.
August allowed himself a small smirk, eyes still fixed on the distance. "Gladly," he replied, calm but unmistakably territorial.