“Because I turned on some taps?”
“Because you don’t let your sore legs and hips stop you.Because you have a fierce determination that’s sexy as hell.”
His words soothed the need she had for validation that she tried to keep buried
“Some people haven’t found that attractive.”This man had to stop making her cry.She wiped her eyes with her palm.
“I find it very attractive.I find you very attractive.”
“Right back at you, Mr.Waiter.”
Ares’s palm was warm against her cheek as he turned her head to him.He leaned over the tub, his lips met hers and he kissed so forcefully, it made her clit throb with want.
“I have this vision in my head that grows each time we are together.Want to hear it?”Ares rested his elbows on the edge of the tub.
The seriousness in his voice made Josie sit up a little straighter, sloshing water over the rim of the tub.“Yes.”
“I’ve just come back from a work trip.Maybe I was gone for three days or a week?And I walk into our house and something smells amazing.Cinnamon buns?Apple pie?I set down my briefcase by the front door and I walk through the long hallway to the kitchen.And there you are, dancing as you finish whatever it is you're going to serve, your curls are bouncing and you turn around.And I can’t wait to get you in my arms.So, I run over to you, pick you up and kiss you.”
Our house?Did he just sayourhouse?
She smiled so huge her cheeks ached.
Ares took her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand.“What do you think?”
Her heart was in her throat.She squeezed his hand.“I think I like that vision of yours.Want to hear mine?”
“Yes, I do, precious girl.”
She glanced away from him, not wanting to see his expression.“I’m in a kitchen, and I have three pots on the stove.I'm making notes and I pause and glance out the window.I see you, playing with our dog in the yard and it makes me so happy.”
“A dog, eh?”Ares grinned so wide it showed his dimples.
“Yes.Like a goldendoodle or something.”
“Why are you making notes?”he squeezed her shoulder.
She swallowed, afraid to say the words out loud.Maybe it was because she was so relaxed after their night, sitting here in this luxurious tub that her mind allowed her to think of a new possibility.
“You make lots of notes when you develop recipes.”
“A recipe developer?”His tone was soft, coaxing.
“Yeah.I don’t know where that came from.We didn’t talk about getting a dog.”
“No, we didn’t.I’ll get you whatever kind of dog you want.”
“Okay.”She felt like she was going to cry.
“It’s okay to change your dream.You’ve proven to yourself that you’re a good chef, Josie.You could pick something new.”
“Would you be a landscape architect?”She sloshed the water up to the side as she reached for his hand.
“A long time ago, my brother and I had a dream.We wanted to help people.We wanted to get new technology to market.We’ve done that.I want to try for a new dream.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes.All of my dreams going forward will include you.”
