“Great.” She smiled back. “I’ll just get started on dinner then.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Cade leaned in, brushing a kiss on her forehead before releasing her hand, and Lucy did her best not to whimper as he moved away from her.
Geez, she thought as she headed into the kitchen, could she get it together? He wasn’t that far away, and he was doing what she’d asked him to. Still, Lucy wanted to have Cade right next to her. And how pathetic was that? She’d blame it on the storm, but she knew she’d be lying.
The truth was, there was something about Cade that had her wanting him to hold her, wanting to hear his voice, wanting to spend time with him. Which was weird. She wasn’t the clingy type, not that she knew of, anyway.
Lucy got the rice started and pulled out her mandoline and some cucumbers, marveling at how comfortable she was with Cade. Even though they’d just met, she felt like she’d known him for years.
“Alright,” Cade grinned, heading to the sink, “The fire’s properly stacked and stoked. What else can I do?”
Lucy loved watching Cade wash up, the way he pulled fresh towels from her drawer like he lived there, the way he moved around her kitchen helping to prepare the meal. While she’d giggled at the way he’d refused to let her near the mandoline once he’d seen how sharp it was, as though he was protecting her from her own kitchen, she had to admit there was something lovely about watching him julienne the cucumbers. Something endearing about Cade’s demeanor. She liked the way he looked out for her.
Such a gentleman.
“You know,” she smiled as Cade took another helping of bulgogi, “Atlas - I mean the dog. He made me feel safe in the storm, but I think you’re even better at it. Probably because you can actually hug and talk.”
“Oh, really?” Cade laughed, and Lucy felt her spirits lighten even more.
“Yes,” she smiled. “You’re a perfect dog substitute.”
“Dog substitute.” He shook his head. “What am I going to do with you?”
She had lots of ideas, but none of them were ladylike.
“Have dinner with me tomorrow?”
There, that was civilized, right?
“I’d love to.”
Lucy grinned at the thought of spending more time with Cade. There was something about him she liked very much.
Everything actually.
And her respect and admiration for him only deepened when he took on the bulk of the cleanup, encouraging her to relax while he chatted her up and cleaned her kitchen.
“You’re such a gentleman, Cade.” She smiled, watching him hang up the dish towel.
He gave her a wolfish grin that went straight to her core.
“Happy to help, ma’am.”
Lucy just stood there, leaning against the counter watching Cade, as everything in her yearned for everything in him. It didn’t matter that they’d just met. Sometimes your body knew things your mind hadn’t processed yet. And, as her limbs grew languid and desire unspooled in her belly with every step he took, Lucy wanted nothing more than to give in to her body’s cravings.
“Lucy,” Cade’s voice was low, sultry, as he gazed down at her. “I’d love to hold you right now. Would that be alright with you?”
“Yes.” She smiled, going with her body and moving closer to him.
Lucy let Cade pull her into his arms, appreciating his strength and his masculine scent as she wrapped her own arms around his waist and nestled into him. They stood like that for a while, in a warm embrace, his hands stroking gently along her spine while he told her how much he’d enjoyed spending time together. Eventually, Cade kissed the top of her head and leaned back to look down at her.
“Can you stay longer?” She asked.
His smile lifted her spirits.
“Sure.” He kissed her forehead again. “Let’s go sit down.”
She nodded, letting Cade escort her to the living room, one hand on the small of her back. While she’d rather have gone to the bedroom, he probably had the right plan. For now anyway…
