“I know.”He stepped in closer and touched my cheek.“You look lovely.”
“I tried to.For you.”
“I appreciate that.”
I narrowed my eyes.“Why’d you want buttermilk?”
He raised his eyebrows.“A surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
“You’ll like this one.”
“Says you.”
“Says me.”
I sighed.“Are you taking me to the fancy veggie place or what?”
“I am.Nash came through.”
“Course he did.That boy would do just about anything for you.Well then, let’s go.I’m hungry and if the food doesn’t fill me up, I’ll still have time to whip up something tasty when I get home.”
His eyes flared as his lips curled.He liked my sass, and I liked dishing it.This game was new, and the bantering was fun.I hoped we played it often…and it ended with us in bed together.My yes, did I hope that!
“You’re bossy,” Steve said.
“Nope.Am not.That’s not the Southern lady way.”
He chuckled.“Then what would you call it?”
“Re-exerting my will on the situation.”
He rocked back on his heels, a thoughtful expression on his face.“Fair enough.”
“Anyway, you like me taking charge,” I tossed over my shoulder.
I thought I heard him murmur, “Damned if I don’t.”
Chapter10
Steve
The sun’s rays slanted across the water, turning the mirror-smooth surface shades of red that reminded me of Kate’s hair.I set my knife and fork down on my empty plate and leaned back, enjoying the full sensation and overall wellbeing of this shared moment.
“This was good,” Jasmine said.The cast made some of her movements awkward, but she managed well enough.She’d also set aside her utensils and picked up her wineglass.
“You don’t have to soundthatsurprised.”
She looked at her plate before meeting my gaze once more.“Well, I never met a stick of butter I didn’t want to use.”
I made a face, in part because she expected it, but also because…Christ.“You know what those fats are doing to your arteries?”
She set her wineglass down with a soft thump.She grinned, her face lighting up.I adored this woman, had for months…years.Why had I fought against it so very hard?I sighed a little as I realized I might never understand myself completely.My issues went much deeper than I’d admitted to myself because letting this woman go was sheer insanity.
She winked then offered a flirty smile.“I’m fifty-four years old, Steve.It’s not like I can undo all those decades of living and eating.”
I leaned forward, hoping my earnestness came through.“Maybe you could consider a few tweaks?I want you in my life, Jasmine, and I’d like to think I’d get you for at least another twenty, preferably thirty or more years.”
