“We certainly will.”
Henry brushed his mouth against mine once more, then increased the space between us. “Do I have time to wash the hospital off me before we eat?”
“Of course. Take your time.”
“I’ll be quick.” He feathered one last kiss to my cheek, the warmth of his lips soothing and comforting. Then he turned and disappeared up the stairs.
I refocused my attention on preparing dinner, cutting up the meat for the Indian chicken I’d planned to make. Just as everything was simmering on the stove, the aroma of garlic and ginger filling the air, I felt a presence approach from behind.
“Smells delicious,” Henry crooned in a low voice as he brushed a kiss to the curve of my neck, his unshaven jawline scraping against my skin.
I used to think I preferred a man who was polished. Clean-cut. Perfectly tailored suit. Charming smile.
It was what attracted me to Victor all those years ago.
Now I much preferred a man who was a little rough around the edges. T-shirts stretched across broad shoulders. Stubble that left faint burn marks on my skin. A man who wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
And Henry most certainly liked to get his hands dirty.
In more ways than one.
“Hope you like Indian food,” I remarked as I stirred the mixture in the pan.
“You should know by now I’m not picky.” He trailed kisses up my neck, stopping just shy of my earlobe. “Except when it comes to my women.”
I spun in his arms, meeting his gaze. The green hue of his eyes seemed even darker now, desire heating his stare.
“Is that right?”
He gave a slow nod. “I find my tastes are quite…singular in that regard.”
“How so?”
“For one, I’m a sucker for blue eyes.” His thumb swept under my lids. “Especially ones that shift from turquoise to royal to midnight.”
“That is quite specific,” I teased, draping my arms over his shoulders as Dean Martin crooned softly from the speaker, both of us swaying along to the melody.
If someone had told me a month ago I’d be dancing barefoot in the kitchen with the man who’d abducted me, I would have laughed.
But this felt right.
Everything about being with Henry did.
I kept waiting for the bottom to fall. For our bubble to burst. I knew there were still unanswered questions we had to deal with. All those women Victor abducted. Whether Sarah was alive. What Victor meant when he said we were chosen.
But I wasn’t going to worry about that right now. I was going to enjoy these rare moments of happiness whenever I could get them.
“I told you.” Henry gave a coy smile. “Singular tastes.”
“I guess so.” I waggled my brows. “What else do you look for in a woman?”
“Lips so soft I can’t stop thinking about kissing them,” he murmured, his mouth inching toward mine. When our lips met, a quiet whimper escaped before I could stop it.
“Like that?” I whispered.
He ran his thumb along my bottom lip. “Exactly like that.” His gaze lingered on my mouth, heated and intense.
“What else?”
