“Hmm, what?”
“You seem very invested.” She observes with a crooked smile.
“I’m just putting two friends of mine together who need to hash things out.”
“So you’re not trying to match-make?”
“Nope. I’ve got my own love life to focus on.”
“And how’s that going for you?”
“I did get a buy-again, so I’m feeling fairly optimistic.”
“A smart man knows he needs to keep it up.”
“No problem there, baby.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “Why don’t you set the table while I finish the sauce?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I sneak in a kiss on her neck and grab a couple of plates, utensils, and glasses. After setting it all up, I reach for a bottle of wine from the small rack by the fridge. When I turn back, Lexie is tasting a bit of the sauce from the wooden spoon.
“That’s good,” she says, as if surprised. “It was rated foolproof. Guess it really is. I’m just going to give it fifteen more minutes to let the flavors deepen while the pasta boils.”
She bends to warm the bread in the oven, her jeans nicely hugging her slight curves. When she straightens, I’m already there, hauling her into my arms.
“Chaz!” she squeaks.
“If we’ve got fifteen minutes, we should take advantage. Give me a kiss, Blue.”
A smile forms on her lips as she lifts her unpainted mouth to mine. She tastes of tomatoes and basil; her full breasts are soft against my chest. I hold the sides of her face and deepen the kiss, breathing her in and drinking her up. Love and desire pound through me, beating in rapid synchronization.
Lexie slides her tongue against mine, and I lower my hands to her ass, my fingers teasing the seam of her jeans. My restraint slips, wanting to make her come right now—right here in my kitchen. I snap open her jeans, sliding my hand beneath her panties, brushing my fingers against her heat when?—
A Beyoncé song blares from her phone.
“It’s Sophia,” she murmurs against my lips.
“Dammit,” I grumble, the moment broken.
She kisses away my frustration. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep.”
“You better.” I withdraw my hand with a groan and smack her butt as she turns to answer her phone, her voice a little breathless.
Sophia’s joyous face, all smiles, fills the screen. “Hi!” She waves with excitement. “Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
We respond in unison. Lex elbows my ribs. “We’re just cooking,” she says. “How was day two of the conference?”
“I made lots of contacts. I’m so stoked. We’re just going to the banquet dinner now. I’ll be home tomorrow afternoon. Can you help me with follow-up notes and stuff?”
“Yes, of course.”
“K. Thanks.”
“Enjoy the dinner and networking. Remember the two-drink rule.”
