“If it happens again, he’ll be out of a job.” He hugged her hard, loving the feel of her in his arms.
She turned into him and rose up on tiptoes, kissing him softly. Sweetly. Temptingly.
Damn, she was potent. He took the kiss deeper, needing her close, so he could fill himself up with all her sunshine and goodness. All the tension from today melted away.
The mac and cheese started to bubble.
Lucky bit his bottom lip, then sucked it into her mouth, her eyes alight with mischief before she released him and turned in his arms, stirring dinner once again before it burned. “This is ready. Wash up and let’s eat.” She spooned the food into two deep bowls while he washed his hands at the sink. She pulled two plates out of the fridge, piled high with a fresh green salad.
The dinner table was set with silverware and two glasses of water.
He pulled a bottle of wine from the fridge and a bottle of beer. She loved the same Moscato Lyric liked when she visited.
He joined her at the table with the drinks while she set the dinner bowls at their places.
She stood next to her chair, looking up at him. “I hope you don’t mind I didn’t ask what you wanted for dinner.”
He sat and stared at her seated next to him. “Why would I mind you making whatever you want for dinner? If you’re cooking, it should be your choice. And you know I love everything you make.” He glanced down at his bowl, took a big bite, and moaned. “So good. This is the best mac and cheese ever!”
She chuckled, taking a much smaller bite than his next one. “I used cheddar, like most people do, but I added some Gruyère and a little cream cheese to make it creamier. I added the chicken for protein, and bacon because…bacon.”
He agreed. “What did you do today?”
“Cleaned one of my houses, then went back to the office to pay bills, check schedules, and talk to a very picky client who keeps asking for additional services while Julie is at the house, but doesn’t want to pay for them.”
“Did you straighten her out?”
“I told her if she wanted extra work done, she needed to notify us at least two days in advance. It also gives me a chance to let her know up front what the additional charge will be. It’s all in her contract. She knows this. She’s just persistent and stingy—never even gives a holiday bonus, which almost all our clients do.”
He loaded his fork again. “For all you do…I should pay more.” He stuffed the decadent goodness into his mouth and grinned at her.
“Well, I don’t do that stuff for all my clients. You’re special.” The blush on her cheeks made her even more beautiful and endearing.
“Special, huh?” He covered her hand with his on the table. “Well, I think you’re amazing. Strong. Independent. Smart. Kind.” He stuffed another bite into his mouth. “The best cook ever,” he said around the mouthful, making her giggle again.
“Slow down.”
“Can’t. It’s too good.”
“Eat your salad, too. It’s good for you.”
He swallowed and stared at her until the blush was back and she squirmed under his scrutiny.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
He couldn’t help the heat that flared between them. It happened whenever he thought about her, or was near her. “Because I love you. And I’m so happy you’re finally here.”
“Finally? I’d think by now you’d wonder when I’m going back to my place.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m better. I’m not a hundred percent, but I’m close. I can take care of myself.”
He shook his head. “No. Why would you want to go back to your place? Don’t you like it here?”
“Yes. But this wasn’t permanent. You just wanted to help when I was too hurt to do things on my own.”
“No. That’s not why I wanted you here.” He raked his fingers over his head. “Well, it was an excuse to get you here, so you’d get to know me better, so you’d stay.”
