Page 58 of Harvest Heat

“That sounds perfect.”

CHAPTER 21

Once he was dressed and showered, Rhys went downstairs to begin setting out the charcuterie. He set aside the box of pastries for them to select from later.

Caleb came down a few minutes later, carrying a bottle of Prosecco and a tote bag filled with plates and utensils. As he walked out from behind the service counter, he turned down the lights in the cafe, making the already cozy atmosphere much more romantic. Then he added more ambience by plugging in some leaf-shaped fairy lights, switching on the tea lights inside the ceramic pumpkins in the windows, and turning on soft music. Was this going to feel like a real date?

The man just ate your ass and fucked the hell out of you. Why are you worried about a dinner date?

That’s different. This is so… intimate.

And his tongue up your ass isn’t.

Sex was different. Or at least it always had been. With Caleb, everything had felt… more. Caleb had taken over his body completely, but now, he was back to overanalyzing, and he didn’t know if he could handle that.

“Is this good for you?” Caleb asked, holding up the bottle.

Rhys nodded. He was already drunk off the incredible sex. A glass of wine couldn’t cause much more damage. He was beginning to wonder if they were going to make any progress on the festival entry tonight.

“Wow.” Caleb studied the multiple trays of meats, cheeses, spreads, olives, and fruit. “This looks amazing. You really went all out.”

Rhys looked away as his cheeks heated. He didn’t know if he could handle the romantic atmosphere plus compliments. “I just wanted to do something different.”

“I like it. Thank you.”

“And what’s this?” He lifted the lid on the dessert box.

“Pastries, as you can see.”

“You brought me more dessert.”

Caleb’s smile sent heat all through Rhys. “I thought you’d like them.

“I do. These look amazing. They’re not from Driftwood Doughs, are they?”

“No, they’re from an Italian bakery in Portsmouth.”

“You went all the way to Portsmouth for these?”

Rhys shrugged. “It’s not that far. Have you ever had a sfogliatella?”

Caleb shook his head.

“Then you have to choose that one.” He pointed to a flaky, cream-filled pastry. “Unless you don’t like cream-filled things.”

Caleb grinned. “Trust me, I like cream-filled things a lot.”

“Oh my God, I didn’t mean that like it sounded.”

“I know. I’m just teasing you. I got you all relaxed. I want you to stay that way.”

Rhys realized that was part of the reason for the lights and the music. Caleb wanted him to feel comfortable. He appreciated the gesture, even though he wasn’t sure he could be.

Caleb handed him a plate and a wineglass. Real ones, not paper like he’d expected. “This is fancy.”

“It’s just regular plates, not fine china or anything.”

“I know, I just thought since we were eating down here…”