We’d been taking things slow while we got reacquainted, but there was no denying that what we both wanted was on the cusp when I shifted my hips into his, feeling just how much he desired me.
“I’m sorry,” he breathed across my lips.
“Why are you apologizing?” I tangled my fingers in his hair. “I like knowing how much you want me.”
“Oh, I more than want you Lils, but . . . I have a plan.”
“Plans are known to change all the time.”
“Not this one, beautiful.” He brushed his lips down my neck, sending shivers through me, before his tongue licked a path back up to where he pressed soft butterfly kisses on the sensitive patch of skin just under my ear. “Trust me, okay?”
“Always.”
He leaned back, his gaze soft and tender, as if my trust were the most sacred gift he could ever receive. “I made you dinner.”
“Whatever it is, it smells delicious.”
“So are you,” he murmured against my lips.
“If only you’d seen me earlier.” I swallowed and let out a small, disbelieving laugh at how my day had unfolded. “It was a messy day at the office. I had to shower twice.”
“That sucks, especially when I’m the only one who should be getting you all dirty,” his fingers squeezed my backside.
“Jaxon.” I arched my back off the door.
“Food first, beautiful.” He stepped back and sadly lowered me to the ground.
“And then?” I pursed my lips and batted my eyelashes playfully.
“You’ll just have to wait and see.” He smirked, sending a kaleidoscope of butterflies into a flurry in my stomach.
“A girl could get used to this kind of treatment,” I said as he linked our fingers and walked me toward the breakfast bar, where he had a whole setup complete with two place settings, placemats I didn’t even recognize, candles, and a bouquet of red roses. “Jaxon, you didn’t need to do all of this.”
“I know I didn’t have to, I wanted to; there’s a difference.”
“You’re so sweet, thank you. All of this,” I waved my hand toward the kitchen as I breathed in the buttery garlic aroma, “you make me so happy.” I pressed my lips together in a smile as I felt my eyes begin to water.
He slid his hands up my neck and framed my cheeks. “Glad you feel that way because this is just the beginning, Lily. I wanted our first night, well, technically our second, but your first time coming home here after work to be special.”
“Anytime we’re together is memorable.”
“I love that you think that way, but you’d best get used to this treatment because I plan to spoil you for as long as you’ll let me.”
“Forever.”
“Yes, Lily-Bee, forever. Now, let’s get you settled because this is just the beginning of the night’s festivities,” I parted my lips to interject, but he stopped me, “and not to worry, I’ll have you tucked in bed by your normal time so you’ll be well rested,” he winked, “by your shift in the morning.”
“Sounds like you’ve got everything taken care of.”
“That I do,” he kissed the tip of my nose before turning toward the kitchen, “and because I know you won’t risk a headache from a glass of wine, I picked up a non-alcoholic sparkling wine to pair with our dinner.”
“You really thought of everything, didn’t you?” He shot me a smile over his shoulder as he stood in front of the stove, plating our dinner, then placing my plate down in front of me first with a kind of reverence that made me pause and appreciate the sweet gesture. “Yum, fettuccine Alfredo, one of my favorites.”
“I made enough so you can either take the leftovers to work tomorrow or have them for dinner, since I won’t be here.”
“Thank you.” I twirled the fettuccine noodles, coated in a rich, creamy sauce, around my fork and took a bite, welcoming the blend of butter, parmesan, and garlic that burst across my tongue in a flavor explosion. “Oh, my God,” I moaned, covering my mouth with my hand. “This is . . . So good, Jaxon. So good.”
“Never thought I’d be jealous of food, and yet here we are.” He looked at me with pure wonder in his hooded eyes.
