“Whatever it is, smells like heaven.”
He scoffs, but is clearly pleased by my comment. “Keep it between us. I don’t want my brothers giving me hell.”
“Your secret’s safe with me. Both,” I add, nodding to the wine, and he gives me a grin as he pours me a glass. I crouch down and peer through the glass door of the oven, but it doesn’t help. “What’ve you done with the chicken?” To underscore my question, my stomach chooses that moment to grumble.
“I stuffed it with herbs and cherries.”
“Ah, so that’s your ulterior motive, then. Using the cherries to seduce your way into my good favor.” I stand and shoot him a teasing grin but it’s obvious by his blank expression he has no idea what I’m talking about. “Sorry.” I move closer and cradle his jaw, caressing his stubble with my thumb. “I was just being a smart-ass. Cherries are an aphrodisiac.”
He doesn’t look convinced. “I thought that was strawberries.”
“Trust me, having you cook for me tonight is all the aphrodisiac I need.”
“You’re such a sweet talker.” He wraps his arms around me, still holding his wine and phone. “Does this mean I’m getting some tonight?”
“Of course, you are. It’s our last night, remember?”
“Yeah. I remember.” There’s a brooding look on his face that I don’t want to analyze, and so I go onto my toes and brush a soft kiss across his lips.
“No more recriminations. No regrets.”
“Are you being a smart-ass again?” He kisses the tip of my nose and pulls me a little closer. “Guess you can’t help it, being an attorney and all.”
“Ouch. Did I deserve that?”
“You deserve everything you’re getting later tonight.”
“That sounds promising.” I pause, losing myself in the blue of his eyes. “I hope.”
“Believe it.” He holds on to me a little longer, as though there’s more he wants to say, and unformed panic swirls low in my stomach.Don’t spoil our last night.I don’t want to talk about the past or discuss the future. I just wantnow.
Chapter Fourteen
Ty
While Jas was in the tub, I moved the urn from the table into the living room. No way do I want that watching us while we eat. I’d never say it, but the thought of her mom’s ashes in that thing creeps me out. Is it something I’d want if my mom dies? Since I sure as hell don’t want to think aboutthat, I shove it to the back of my mind.
If the urn gives Jas some comfort, that’s all that matters to me.
I lean back in the chair and watch Jas finish eating. Her eyes are half closed like she’s savoring every bite, and I can’t drag my fascinated gaze away. If I’d known cooking for her was such a turn-on, I would’ve done it every night this week.
“God, that was so good.” She licks her lips as though she doesn’t want to waste a single taste. “If I wasn’t a sure thing before, I would be now.”
“Because of the cherries.”
“Absolutely. The cherries were decadent. It’s nothing to do with the chef.”
“I’ve never been called that before.”
“Really? You surprise me.” She’s smiling, but she’s not joking, and it takes me a couple of seconds to figure out what she’s getting at.
When we met up again last Friday it was nothing but a hookup. I didn’t owe her anything. But being with her this week, fuck, I don’t know how it happened, but she’s as much a part of my life as she used to be.
It doesn’t matter what I say to her. It never did. She’s never judged or cared about my rep. Even the first day I spoke to her, and took her out for a milkshake, of all things, she never fawned over my tats or sighed over my connections to the Bastards like all the other girls. It was me she was interested in. My opinions she asked for. Her shy smile captivated me, and the arrogance and self-entitlement that had been part of me for as long as I could remember faded whenever we were together. With Jas, I let down my guard the way I never could with anyone else, even my brothers.
I take her hand and rub my thumb over her knuckles. “You’re the first chick I’ve ever cooked for.”
She blinks a couple of times, and her smile wavers. “Really?” Her voice is husky, and I squeeze her fingers.I’m here, babe.“Well, thanks. It’s even more special now.”
