I can’t help myself as I swoop in, wrapping my arms around her and giving her a proper kiss hello.
She squeezes me tight as our tongues intertwine, and it takes all my power to pull away and welcome her back to my home.
“Come on in,” I say, leading her to my kitchen. “Dinner is about twenty minutes out, but I set out some appetizers.”
“You made appetizers?” Her chuckle of surprise puts a smile on my face.
I hold up my finger with a grin. “I made them a long time ago, but just defrosted them and set out some crackers to go with it. It’s venison that we made into sausage with chunks of cheese inside.”
“You made sausage?”
Now, it’s my turn to chuckle. “Yes, my dad and I make it every year after our annual hunting trip.”
“Well, I’m intrigued.” She picks up one of the pieces I cut to bite-sized chunks and pops it into her mouth, nodding her approval as she chews.
“It’s good, huh?”
“Yeah, I’m impressed.”
“Just wait until you try my tri-tip. It’s mouthwatering; it’s so delicious.”
She leans back on the counter, eyeing me. “You really do cook.”
“Did you think I was lying?”
“I didn’t know what to expect.” She looks around at the salad I already made and the mac and cheese I’m just about to put in the oven.
“Is that homemade mac and cheese?”
I beam with pride. “Yep. We’ll have salad, mac and cheese, grilled asparagus, and tri-tip for dinner tonight.”
“What? No dessert?”
“Oh, you’ll get your dessert,” I tease, making her blush. “I hope you brought your things to stay the night again.”
She laughs out loud. “No, I didn’t. Most people don’t bring a sleepover bag on their second date.”
I hold up a finger to make my point. “This is technically our third date, but if you count the day we met and when I ran into you at your neighbor’s place, could we stretch it to say fifth?” I move closer to her, pulling her into me. “Would that make itmore socially acceptable that I bought you a toothbrush to have at my house?”
“I don’t think those other two times count, but I’m not going to complain about getting to brush my teeth here,” she says with a sexy grin.
“Good.” I lean in and kiss her, loving the way every part of her feels when she’s pressed against me. “Let’s get this food stuff over with, so we can really have some fun.”
She giggles, pushing me away. I love the way she blushes every time I say anything sexy to her. It truly just makes me want her more.
I point to the wine on the table I opened a little while ago to air out. “Go ahead and pour yourself a glass. I’m going to go check on the meat.”
While I’m outside, attending to the grill, she does as I suggested and brings me a glass as well. I take it from her, and we cheers before taking a sip.
“Nice backyard,” she says, looking around.
I’ve done some things to fix it up with the outdoor kitchen and sitting area. “There’s still some more things I want to do back here, but it’s getting there.”
“It wasn’t like this when you bought it?”
I let out a sharp laugh. “Lord, no. It was a mess. Little by little, I’m getting it to where I want it to be.”
“How long have you lived here?”
