Chapter Nine
“Some of the best aphrodisiacscontain a very high concentration of zinc,” Cold was explaining as he cooked. “The zinc boosts your testosterone levels, and...” He turned around to glare at Jimmy, raising his spatula with a scowl. “Jimmy, are you listening to a word I’m saying?”
“Eh, sort of?” Jimmy replied honestly, beaming from his perch at the kitchen counter. “You in that cute little apron are a pretty powerful aphrodisiac, you know.”
“The apron?” Cold scoffed.
“It’s distracting me.”
“I don’t want to get my clothes dirty,” Cold snorted. “Eat your chocolate.”
Jimmy snickered, picking up one of the chocolate truffles Cold had bought for him and taking a big bite. He moaned loudly, instantly in love with the rich taste and smooth texture. He didn’t even want to know how much Cold had paid for these, but God, were they delicious.
Jimmy had requested a lesson in aphrodisiacs, and Cold was more than happy to oblige. He insisted on preparing the meal personally, and Jimmy was soon surprised to learn that the fearsome Boss Cold was quite the aspiring chef.
“Chocolate can stimulate a spike in dopamine, and it has citrulline that increases the nitric oxide in your body,” Cold went on, smirking as Jimmy continued to make happy little sounds while eating. “It improves your blood circulation and allows for a much faster rate of arousal.”
“Oh, it’s definitely arousing,” Jimmy giggled, his appetite threatening to finish the whole plate of truffles in moments. He took a sip of the wine Cold had selected to accompany the meal, asking brightly, “Mmm and this?”
“Pinot noir pairs well with salmon,” Cold replied, “and it’s alcohol, which triggers certain reactions in the hypothalamus. That’s the part of your brain that regulates many important bodily functions.”
“Right.” Jimmy nodded, taking a long sip. “Like body temperature, sleep patterns, hunger...”
“And libido,” Cold added with a wink.
“You really took this aphrodisiac lesson seriously, huh?” Jimmy laughed, snatching up the last truffle and swallowing it down with the rest of his wine.
“I take most things seriously, but especially cooking,” Cold said with a short chuckle, returning his full attention to the stove. He was focused now, his brow furrowed in concentration as he added a few more spices to one pan and stirred another.
Jimmy smiled as he watched his boyfriend laboring away to create the perfect meal for them. He couldn’t quite explain it, but observing Cold’s impressive prowess in the kitchen was incredibly sexy. He wondered if it was all the magical chemicals that he had imbibed thus far that were making him feel so suddenly amorous.
Perhaps it was simply the sight of his beloved gangster being positively domestic.
Maybe it was the apron.
Whatever the reason, he couldn’t sit still any longer. He grinned, leaving his spot at the counter and sliding up behind Cold to hug his waist.
“I’m cooking,” Cold said grumpily, but he made no movement to stop him.
