“Chips? I have a weakness for French fries but don’t get to eat them often.”
“Your mother has a huge say on your meals.”
“I’m afraid so. She’s big on salads.”
“Why do you let her and the rest of your family order you around?”
“Because they mean well. I know they love me, but they forget I’m an adult. I’ve told them I’m not a rabbit and require more than salad to keep me alive.”
He clicked the fingers of his right hand. “Damn, I was going to do a side salad to go with the pasta.”
She rolled her eyes. “The relevant word isside. I get to eat something else too.”
“What do you do in your spare time?”
“I read—mostly romances and mysteries. I enjoy movies and television. I’m a rugby fan although I haven’t seen any live games. I wanted to play rugby, but my mother quashed the idea. She allowed me to play hockey and encouraged me to learn to golf.”
“Hockey and golf?”
“Hitting the ball got rid of some of my frustration.”
“I see. What else do you like doing?”
“I cook and could do dinner parties if I were allowed. I’m fine if I follow the recipe, but experimenting doesn’t usually end well. I love music, although I have the voice of a frog. One day I intend to do more traveling. The little I’ve done to date has whetted my desire to explore more of the world. What about you?”
“I’m one of those horrid rugby players. I still play for a local team during the winter season when I can manage the time. I can sing, although I don’t do it often. Travel—we have that in common, although I don’t get time to do much due to the pubs.”
Dinner passed in conversation, with not a single awkward pause. Dallas wouldn’t have thought they’d have such easiness, that she’d be so interested in his childhood years, his rugby team and the regulars at his pubs. They did the dishes together, then sat by the fire, drinking the last of the bottle of wine.
“What do you do when you’re on your own here?”
“I catch up on sleep, watch a movie or do office work before it gets out of control. And I spent a lot of time renovating. My brothers helped when they were free.”
“So this is a male domain. I thought you’d have a different woman here every weekend.”
“If you’re asking if this is where I entertain my harem, the answer is no.” Marie was the only woman who’d spent any time here, and she’d hated the isolation. It’d been a storm then too, and she’d panicked because the phone lines were down. She’d thought they were going to run out of food and die. She’d refused to visit the cabin again. “You’re one of the few women I’ve had to visit.”
“I’m honored. When are we getting to the sex again?”
“When I’m ready.” He narrowed his eyes, stifling, yet again, his desire to laugh. “And not a moment before.”
“I obviously have the wrong idea about this agreement between us. I thought there’d be a lot more sex, enough to make me walk funny.”
“Come here,” he said in a decisive manner and set his glass aside.
She rose and came to him without hesitation. “Is it time now?”
“Yes. Pull down your sweatpants and your panties. No, leave your top half clothed.”
Her expression turned quizzical, but she followed his orders, yanking down her sweatpants. She wore nothing else beneath them.
He eyed her bare legs, the red nail polish on her toes. His gaze rose up her thighs to her sex.
“Like what you see?”
Impudent baggage. But he believed in honesty too. “I do. You’re a very sexy woman.”
Her smile brightened until he felt as if he basked in her light. His pulse kicked up a degree, and he moved quickly, before she knew what he intended. One moment she bore a toothy grin, aimed at him and the next she was arranged over his knee, her entire body stiff with outrage.
