“I normally have toast. That will be fine.”
“Not today, it won’t. We’re going outside to take care of a tree that fell during the night. You’ll need plenty of fuel to keep up your energy levels.”
Not what she’d expected. She’d thought they might laze around, watch a movie, make love in front of the fire. “A tree?”
“Yeah. It’s fallen over the drive. If we don’t shift it, neither of us is going anywhere. Scrambled eggs and bacon, I think. You can make toast and another pot of coffee.”
Dallas made the cooking process fun. He touched her at every opportunity. Casual caresses, true, but her pulse raced and her mouth soon ached from smiling so hard. While Dallas took charge of the cooking, she set the table.
“Take these plates while I grab some orange juice.” Dallas handed over plates filled with fluffy eggs and crispy bacon. She set them down and pulled out a seat.
“Did you rub lotion on your butt after your shower?”
“I—yes.” Laura felt the heat seep into her face.
“Are you sore?”
“No.” She sat on the edge of her chair and couldn’t prevent a wince when she instinctively slid back fully onto the seat.
“Liar.” Dallas took the place opposite her, his long legs jostling hers. On purpose, she discovered when she ventured a look in his direction. “Our liaison won’t go well if you don’t give me the facts. How can there be trust between us if we don’t have truth?”
He was right, damn it. “My bottom is a bit tender. Standing doesn’t hurt but I felt it when I sat.”
“Thank you for admitting that.” He flashed a grin. “You now have a delightful reminder to follow my instructions. Taste the eggs. I make very good eggs.”
After wriggling to find a comfortable position, she started on her breakfast. It was delicious, and she was surprisingly hungry. But one of the nicest things was the fact she could eat and express enjoyment without having parental disapproval hovering like one of last night’s storm clouds. “I’ve never enjoyed dry toast for breakfast.”
“Then why do you eat it?”
“My mother approves of toast, and I prefer peace in the mornings.”
“Ah, well. Eat and enjoy.”
“Have you always wanted to manage pubs?”
“I sort of fell into it. My parents owned the original pub, and my older brother wanted to travel instead of manage a pub. I was the next choice. Now that Quinn is back at home, the three of us have a hand in the business.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
“I do, most of the time. I enjoy the interaction with the public.”
“Most of the time? What parts don’t you enjoy?”
“The paperwork drives me nuts, and occasionally it would be nice to get away. I manage a few nights at most and usually spend them here at the cabin. You’re not alone in wanting to explore more of the world.”
They chatted with none of the morning-after discomfort she’d experienced in the past. They laughed and argued and agreed to disagree about their tastes in music. If only Dallas had been another man. Any relationship between them would be temporary. She knew and accepted the limitations, even though they chafed her sense of fair play.
“Ready to go out and play in the great outdoors?”
“I am. Do you have some spare clothes I can change into afterward? I didn’t bring many with me.”
“My younger brother left some of his stuff here. Don’t worry. We’ll find something for you or baring that, I’ll make sure the cabin is warm enough for you to go naked.”
“You want to see my boobs.”
“Guilty,” he said. “You have gorgeous breasts. Nice arse too.”
“What about the dishes?”
