“I’ve been gone for twenty minutes,” he replied with a grin.
Her eyes widened.“Really?”
“Yes.Now, let me get dinner started before it gets too late.Want to join me in the kitchen?I don’t expect you to help, just keep me company.”
“I’d like to help,” she offered.
“I’m okay, but first, something I couldn’t do earlier,” he murmured.
Before she could question him, he pulled her into his embrace and lowered his mouth to hers.As usual, her brain completely short-circuited.She went up on tip-toe, clasping his shoulders as she leaned into him.
Arousal surged through her and she bit back a moan.What was too soon in her opinion, Duke pulled back.
“Hey,” he greeted with a grin.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Come on.Tell me how your day was while we prepare dinner,” he stated as he grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the kitchen.“Did you do anything fun today?”
She washed her hands as she nodded.“Yes, I finished rebuilding the engine that I’ve been working on.”
Excitement and pride swamped her.It was a side project.One she’d started just to challenge herself.Other than verbal consultations with her father, she’d done it by herself.
“Nice.Congratulations,” Duke stated as he pulled a container out of the fridge.“What do you plan to do with it?”
She shrugged as she dried her hands.“I’m not sure.It was just a challenge to me.What do you need me to do?”
“I’m thinking of a salad and baked potatoes to go with the steaks,” he replied as he put the container on the counter.“Let me get you the stuff for the salad.I’ll work on the potatoes.I hope you don’t mind if I quicken the process by putting them in the microwave instead of the oven.”
She shook her head.“I don’t.I’m starving and I love Josie’s beef.I almost felt bad over admiring the cattle earlier while thinking about how good they taste.”
Duke laughed.“It is kind of weird, huh?”
“Yep, but it’s the circle of life, so.”
They made small talk as they moved around the kitchen making dinner.A short time later, they sat down at the table.She studied the food on her plate before looking up at Duke.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?”he asked.
“Making me feel normal,” she answered.
