“Excellent. I look forward to meeting her.”
I sighed, but part of me looked forward to that, too. If my gut feeling was correct, that our connection went beyond one hookup and a couple sorta-dates, I wanted her to get to know my family. We were tight, like Eden was with her cousins, even though she’d made it clear she wasn’t close to her family beyond that.
My brothers might love any excuse to rag on me, but they did occasionally know when to let a subject drop. Since they didn’t bring her up again, I decided it was my lucky night.
Sunday morning, I hit the grocery store in town, did some meal prep for the week, and lounged around until I couldn’t stand it anymore. Eden had given me her phone number during dinner at my house, but I didn’t want to interrupt her at work. Besides, I knew she had shorter hours on Sundays and would be closing up at three, so I forced myself to be patient.
I had just stretched out on the couch when Jiji hopped up and settled himself on the center of my chest. Stroking a hand over his sleek black fur, I stared up at the ceiling, completely ignoring the mindless television show playing across the living room.
At five after three, my phone buzzed, startling us both. Jiji’s claws tensed into my skin, but I managed not to dislodge him as I wrestled my phone from my pocket and read the text from Eden.
What are the chances you’re free tonight?
I blew out a breath, grinning stupidly at the screen.Extremely high. Jiji misses you, he wants me to make dinner for us. What do you think?
I think that sounds amazing, though I didn’t mean to invite myself over.
Don’t worry, I was going to text the invitation once I was sure you were done at work. Five o’clock good for you?
She didn’t respond immediately, so I closed my eyes and imagined her in one of those sweet outfits of hers, locking up the store and walking to her car. My mind rotated through a few clothing options, from the swingy retro dresses to the prim and professional look she’d sported on Friday, then my phone vibrated again.
Absolutely. See you then.
Dinnerpreparationwaswellunderway when my doorbell rang. Jiji sat perched on the back of the couch, grooming himself like he wasn’t as excited about Eden’s arrival as I was.
At least, that was my interpretation of his twitching ears and big yellow eyes.
I swung open the door to find Eden wearing black leggings and a bright turquoise shirt that fell off one shoulder, revealing the wide strap of a black bra or tank top underneath. She lookedlike she’d stepped out of an eighties-themed exercise class, minus the legwarmers, anddamnif this look didn’t do it for me just like everything else I’d seen her wearing.
“Hey,” I said, my voice coming out lower than usual.
Eden’s eyes warmed. “Hi.”
“Come on in. Jiji’s been waiting for you.”
I tried—I swear to God, I tried—to keep my gaze from dropping to her ass, but when she bent down to nuzzle Jiji, I lost the fight. It hadn’t even been forty-eight hours since the last time I saw her and I felt like I was starved for her.
“Dinner smells wonderful,” she said as she straightened.
Though my gaze shot to her face, I knew she’d caught me. Her lips tipped upward, she crossed her arms over her chest, and those twinkling eyes narrowed. I fought the urge to cover the distance between us and kiss that adorable smirk off her face.
“See something you like, Milo?”
“Fuck yes,” I muttered.
A startled laugh burst from her lips, then it was Eden closing the distance, rising up on her toes as her arms tangled around my shoulders. My hands went to her waist, slipping under the fabric of her shirt so I could brush my fingertips over bare skin.
“Then what are you waiting for?” she whispered against my lips.
I couldn’t manage more than a growl before I captured her sweet, laughing mouth. It took less than a heartbeat for her to melt into me, each soft curve of her body molding against my frame. When I stroked my tongue into her mouth, she purreddeep in her throat, and I let one hand slide down to cup the perfect ass she’d caught me admiring.
A persistent beep from the oven timer cut through the bliss of having her in my arms, and we drew reluctantly apart. Eden’s cheeks were pink, her eyes a dark, hazy gold. I couldn’t resist another quick touch of our lips before taking her hand and leading her into the kitchen.
“What are we having?” she asked as she climbed onto a stool at the breakfast bar.
“Herb-crusted chicken and rice pilaf, with fresh buttermilk biscuits and corn. I hope you’re hungry, because I’m not used to cooking for two people and I might have overestimated a bit.”
She laughed. “I’m starving, so extra sounds great.”
