I closed my eyes and sighed.This man was ridiculous.“I'm fine.”I opened my eyes and glared at him.“And I can feed myself.”I reached for the spoon that I knew he wouldn't give me.But still, I tried.
As expected, he moved it away.“I need this.”His voice was low and serious.It matched the way he was looking at me.“And you'll give it to me.Do you understand?”
For some reason—I did.
Kind of.
But I still wanted to be stubborn for some reason.“No, I don't understand.”But I opened for him anyway, and he slid in the first taste.“Mm,” I said as the delicious, combined flavors hit my tongue.Carrots, onions, celery.And chicken.The tiny stars floated around just for fun.
“Good?”he asked and filled the spoon again.
I nodded and swallowed.“Very.A little heavy on the garlic.But it's great.”
I opened for more when he offered.Then he ate some as well.
“Eve said to add extra because of how sick you were.”
My heart squeezed.“You talked to Eve?”I asked, eyeing the buns.
“And Giselle.They've been calling non-stop for updates on you.They're both feeling quite guilty over getting you ill for your honeymoon.”
I wanted to correct him and say, “You mean fake honeymoon,” but I didn't.Something told me Stefan would have a fit if I did.
“They didn't do it on purpose,” I stated the obvious.“Kids are germy.It's not their fault.”
Stefan continued feeding me.“They still feel bad.I have instructions to have you call them when you're feeling better.”I nodded and kept eating.
A knock echoed through the kitchen and out here.Stefan set the spoon inside the bowl and stood.“I'll be right back.”Then he quickly added, “Do not eat anything while I'm gone.”He pointed his finger at me.
I nodded—as if I was actually going to listen.
As soon as he was out of sight, I pulled the bowl in front of me and picked up the spoon.I shoved in a few more spoonfuls before I stole a bun.
It was still warm.
I didn't take the time to cut it open.Instead, I dug my fingernails into it and ripped it open like an animal.Then I slathered butter all over the inside.It looked wonderful.The melting butter made my mouth water.I'd nearly eaten the whole thing when I heard Stefan say, “She's feeling markedly better.As you can see.”His tone was more than a little sarcastic.I smiled up at Stefan and the nurse as they looked down at me.
I wiped my mouth guiltily and grinned.“It’s a miracle.I'm all better,” I said over a mouthful of buttery bun.
The nurse tried not to laugh.“That's good.I'm just here to check your vitals.You do look much better, Mrs.Sovrano.”
She pulled out everything she needed to take my blood pressure and temperature.She asked me a few very biological questions and then rubbed her finger over my hand.“Did you take this out by yourself?”
Stefan lurked behind me.I could feel him there even though I couldn't see him.“Yeah, I took it out before I showered.”
She raised her eyebrows and smiled.“You did a nice job.”She let me go and packed up her stuff.“If you have any concerns, just give Dr.Vitale a call.I'm sure she'll want to follow up with you in a few days.”
We said our goodbyes, and Stefan showed her out.As soon as they were out of sight—I grabbed another roll.This time, I buttered it and dipped it in the soup.
“Oh, my gosh,” I mumbled and redipped.It was so, so, so good.The only thing that would make this better would be if I also had crackers to crush up in the soup.
It didn't take me long to get to the bottom of the bowl.I picked it up and brought it to my mouth.While I tipped it and drank the final drops, I heard a low, “You enjoyed the soup, I see.”
Caught.
I licked my lips and set the bowl down with a smile.“It's great.You're a good cook.”
Stefan took the bowl.“Do you want more?”
