“Yes?” He didn’t turn from the counter.
“Your kitchen is decorated in tiny cocks.”
“Roosters.”
“Whatever. I guess the renovations haven’t made it this far.”
“Maybe I just like chickens,” he said mildly, setting a sandwich on a plate and glass of milk in front of me.
My eye followed the march of red-combed birds around his entire kitchen. “No one likes chickens this much.”
“Eat.” He tapped the plate. “You need it.”
I finally looked him in the eye.
Straight nose, short buzzed hair that somehow looked soft as down. Hazel eyes. Delicious mouth. I was in Cole Townsend’s house, he’d seen my bare butt twice, and we were all alone.
I shivered.
He frowned. “I’ll turn the heat up.”
I picked up the sandwich. To my delight, it had peanut butter and white marshmallow fluff together on sensible wheat bread.
“A Fluffernutter,” I breathed in awe. “Where did you find the fluff?”
“Cross Brothers grocer still has it. You told me Fluffernutters are your favorite.”
A thrill went through me that he remembered.
“You told me I shouldn’t eat them.”
“It’s pure sugar.” He winced. “You don’t need anything to make you more hyper.”
I grinned. “That was the last summer you worked as a camp counselor. I knew I had something to do with it.”
“Yes, Regina.” He sighed. “All the camp counselors vowed to quit that day.”
I ate while he watched me, an almost smile playing over that perfect mouth. I even drank the milk when he tapped the glass. My throat still felt dry.
I jumped when his radio crackled. He rose. “I need to take this.” He pointed a finger at me. “Stay.”
I nodded, happy to obey. Cole always had the power to make me stay put. Right now, I was enjoying the sound of his voice giving orders over the phone. So dominant and...sheriff-y.
The call ended and he strode back. “Finish your sandwich, Regina.”
“Okay.” I obeyed like I was six again, and he was twelve. He watched me while I ate, and I loved it now as I loved it then.
“You look good, Cole. Very official.”
“Glad you approve.”
I started to speak with my mouth full, but he fixed me with a glare and I chewed.
“We’re going to talk more in the morning, but tell me this…why didn’t you ask for money?”
The delicious combo of peanut butter and marshmallow cream turned to dust in my mouth. “Who would I ask?” I made myself swallow. My heart hurt.
“Regina.”
