He was already lost to her. There was no denying it, he wanted desperately to kiss her. The only thing holding him back was his fear of losing her friendship.
His hesitation cost him another opportunity, because she shifted a step away and turned on the gas to heat the oil, leaving him bereft and kicking himself.
They cooked up the flour and spices first, Ellie following the instructions while he was in charge of stirring. Although he suspected that was more of a token job, like asking a kid to hold the bowl.
She added the coconut milk, her shoulder brushing against his lightly. ‘Just the lobster meat and lemon juice to add now.’
He went to the fridge to grab the ingredients, and handed the fruit to her helplessly, as he wasn’t entirely sure how you juiced a lemon and worried it would go the same way as the onion. He was glad of his decision when Ellie grabbed a knife and something that looked like a mini medieval torture device from the kitchen drawer. She was already at home in the kitchen, he noticed; she instinctively knew where everything was, and her confidence astounded him.
She added the last of the ingredients, then balanced a wooden spoon on the lip of the pan. ‘To stop it boiling over.’
Alex nodded, although he had no idea how a spoon would manage that. The curry bubbled gently, perfuming the air with delicious spice, and his mouth watered.
‘So, that’s done. Want to make a rum cake with me?’ Ellie asked.
‘Sure, sounds fun.’ He would have said or done anything to stay by her side.
‘We’re such geeks!’ Ellie grinned.
‘Shall we make a punch cocktail for everyone too?’ He was better with drinks.
‘Why not, sounds fun.’
They set to work on the cake and when they put it in the oven the curry was done, so she turned off the heat.
Unable to resist, Alex took a clean spoon from the drawer and dipped it into the luscious sauce.
Ellie stared at him expectantly as he tasted it.
‘I hope Alyssa approves of it for dinner tonight. I’d hate for her to have to make it again.’
Alyssa had an open budget when it came to meal planning, and could probably fly in chocolate from Switzerland if she needed to. But he didn’t want to sound any more like a spoilt brat; besides, he was too busy sipping the sauce, and groaning with pleasure. Warm spice, creamy coconut and salty-sweet lobster made the perfect combination.
‘Good?’
He rolled his eyes heavenward, steam on his glasses. ‘Mmmm-hmmm. Try it,’ he said, holding out the rest for her. Easing forward, she placed her lips against the spoon. A dainty sip, followed by a soft sigh of pleasure that made his body stiffen.
‘Gorgeous,’ she whispered, and he wetted his lips, his mouth suddenly dry.
She’d looked like this after they’d kissed.The urge to press her body against his was almost overwhelming. But this wasn’t the time or the place.
Clearing his throat loudly, he busied himself with putting the spoon in the nearby sink, embarrassed by his inability to control himself, as if he were a nervous teenager and not a fully grown man.
Ellie seemed to be fascinated by the label on the rum bottle, and was smoothing her thumb over where the label was peeling. ‘Everyone will need a drink after me exposing myself earlier,’ she joked sourly.
‘Don’t say that,’ he said firmly. ‘I enjoyed you exposing yourself. In fact, I think you should make a habit of it.’
She smacked him on the arm, but at least her smile was genuine and no longer embarrassed. He moved closer, his hip brushing against the curve of her waist.
‘Do you think you should talk to your family, about how you feel? It sounds like talking to Savannah earlier helped. Maybe you can explain the real reason I’m here. It might even help them understand what you’ve been going through.’
He frowned at the sudden change of subject. Why would she bring them up now? Granted he’d told her about his conversation with Savannah, and how it had helped close the door on some of his conflicted feelings, but the last thing he wanted to think about now was his fractured relationship with his family.
It was almost like she wanted to put him off. Remind him of the real reason they were here.
‘Perhaps…’ he said, unsure if she were testing him or not. ‘But after the wedding. I don’t want to spoil their wedding day with my issues.’
‘Hmm, well, whenever you’re ready.’ She headed to the pantry, her voice overly bubbly. ‘Let’s get everything out and start making up our marvellous medicine.’
