I rushed home after picking up dinner from one of my favorite restaurants and quickly threw it into containers and put it in the oven, so it looked like I cooked.Sshh, no one needs to know.I set the table, put candles all around the room, and it looks romantic as fuck. My doorbell rings and I almost pee myself, I’m so excited as I rush to the door. Dramatically, I swing it open and see Charlie standing there looking like a tall drink of cowboy water, and I launch myself into his arms making him take a step back.
“You’re here, you’re really here,” I say, kissing his handsome face.
“I am.” He chuckles, hugging me tighter.
I stare up at him and smile, feeling utterly content, happy, safe, and loved. “Come in, let me show you around.” Charlie nods as I take his hand and give him the house tour.
“Your house is gorgeous, D, but as if it would be anything less,” he says, kissing me as we walk back out to the dining room.
“It’s my sanctuary. My oasis in the city. Did you want a drink?”
“Whatever you have is fine,” Charlie answers.
“Take a seat,” I say, pointing at the dinner table as I move into the kitchen.
“Have you been cooking for me?” he asks, taking a seat.
“Kind of …” I smirk, grabbing us both a beer from the fridge and handing it to him.
“It smells delicious,” he says, wrapping his arm around my hip and pulling me between his legs. “Thank you.” He smiles up at me.
I run my hand over his short hair. “I bought it and put it in the oven, and made it look like I baked it. I’m not a good cook.”
Charlie bursts out laughing. “Neither am I. But I didn’t fall in love with you for your cooking skills,” he teases.
“You fell in love with me because of my mouth skills.” I wink.
“Damn right I did,” he states, taking a sip of his beer as he gives me a heated stare.
“Would you stop flirting with me and let me serve you?” Slapping him playfully, I walk out of his embrace.
“I like the sound of that,” Charlie mumbles.
“Me serving you?” I ask, walking back into the kitchen and turning off the oven.
“Yeah, but on your knees.”
“I bet you do. How about I serve you dessert on my knees then?”
“Can we skip straight to dessert then?” Charlie fires back.
“No. I’ve been busy working in the kitchen for this meal,” I tell him, which makes him laugh. “But I’ll make sure dessert is extra sweet.”
I plate up my lasagna, the garden salad, and garlic bread and place it on the table before sitting down.
“This does smell delicious, babe,” Charlie compliments.
“It should, it’s from my favorite Italian restaurant around the corner.” Taking the serving spoon, I dish it out to each of us. After we are all served, I raise my bottle of beer and make a toast, “To us and hopefully many more dinners together.”
“To us.” Charlie smiles, clinking our bottles together, and then we dig in.
“How did your day with Jackson go?”
Charlie finishes his mouthful before telling me about his day. “It was good catching up with him. He introduced me to the guys, and they seem like a great bunch. He is looking at more of a tech role for me because of my dad.”
I still. His dad? What does that mean?
Charlie must see my obvious confusion because he chuckles. “I guess I need to explain who my dad is. You’re the first person I’ve dated who hasn’t asked me about him.”
