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“I don’t care what we eat as long as I’m sharing a meal with you.”

I squeezed his hand before letting go to pick up my fork. “Let’s see if you can still say that after you taste my tiramisu.”

His grin was mischievous. “I’m sure it’ll be fantastic, but I don’t think it can top knowing you’re already thinking about our fourth date.”

“Hmm.” I pretended to think about it for a moment. “I’m not sure…I baked my own ladyfingers and everything.”

“Then I’m in for a treat.”

His enjoyment of our meal made it taste even better to me. It didn’t take long for us to polish off our dinner, and I served dessert.

Julian licked his lips, which made me crave another kiss more than the tiramisu. Then he took a bite and let out a low moan of enjoyment that sent goose bumps along my skin. Suddenly, my thoughts drifted back to the clean sheets upstairs, and I wondered for the first time if Megan had been right to change them.

I cleared my throat. “Good?”

“Best I’ve ever tasted.”

The stove had been off for a while, but it suddenly felt hot in here. “I’m glad you like it.”

We finished the tiramisu without talking much. I was too aware of his mouth, but he was enjoying his dessert so much that I didn’t think he noticed.

When I stood to clear, he got up with me. He took his plate and mine before I could reach for them.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“You cooked.” He carried them to the sink. “The least I can do is help clean up.”

I didn’t want to compare Julian to my ex-husband because Harrison didn’t deserve space in my thoughts anymore, but it was nice to share dinner with a man who didn’t assume cooking and cleaning were both my job, even at home. So I turned on the water and let Julian dry while I washed, the two of us moving around each other in a comfortable way.

“There’s more,” I told him when the last fork was in the rack. I opened the fridge and pointed out the container I had packed before he arrived. “Tiramisu. For tomorrow.”

“That was very sweet of you.”

I shut the fridge door, and he pressed my back against it to claim my mouth with a kiss that was probably meant as a thank-you. It didn’t stay one for long.

His hand came up to my jaw, and I stepped close. Our simmering chemistry finally had somewhere to go. And upstairs, the sheets on my bed were clean. I was no longer sure I wanted them to stay that way.

13

JULIAN

Ifinally had Celia against me, and she tasted like tiramisu. Her hands were fisted in my shirt, and my cock was already pressed hard against her stomach. I wanted nothing more than to take her upstairs to her bed, but that was the complete opposite of taking things slow.

Reluctantly pulling my mouth from hers, I growled, “I didn’t come here expecting anything more than dinner.”

“I know.” Her pretty green eyes were cloudy with passion as she looked up at me. “It might only be our third date, but you’ve proved your intentions to me already.”

“Good.” I kissed her again, slower this time, taking my time to explore her mouth with my own.

When I started to pull away again, she chased my lips for more. The heat between us continued to build until I finally ripped my mouth away and warned, “Fucking hell, baby. We keep this up, and I’m not sure how much longer I can continue to go slow.”

“Then don’t.”

I searched her expression for any hint of indecision, but I only found passion. “You sure?”

She twined her arms around my neck. “Yes.”

I crashed my mouth down over hers and pulled her body flush against mine, only pulling away to ask, “Bedroom upstairs?”