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I thought about it, my mind going blank. When was the last time I d eaten? I recalled scarfing down a
protein bar as I painted, but that had been all since my yogurt on the plane.
Um, I guess not, I finally answered. But I can grab something later.
His nostrils flared, his eyes getting a little wild.
Please, at least stay to eat with me. I ll feel like a complete bastard if you come here, we do all of
that, he waved a hand at the bedroom, and you leave as though you can t even stand to share a meal with
me. I have some salmon prepped that only needs fifteen minutes to bake.
I nodded. Okay, I agreed readily enough. I didn t want to storm out like a drama queen. I would
prefer to leave with some dignity after a civilized meal.
He wrapped a towel around me, drying himself quickly and wrapping a towel low around his hips in a
mouth-watering display. I looked away. He took off for the kitchen like he was afraid I would leave if it
took him too long to get the salmon ready. He was uncanny at reading my intentions&
I slipped my dress back on, having nothing else. The lack of a bra and panties made it into a somewhat
obscene outfit, but I didn t think it mattered. I would be going from James s house directly to my garage.
I could probably get away with being naked, in a pinch.
I towel dried my hair a bit, used the restroom, which I found in it s own room within the bathroom, and
padded barefoot from his room.
I searched for and found the kitchen, but I stopped in the daunting dining room and sat there.
The table was set in almost a romantic fashion, so I assumed this was where we were meant to eat. I d
rather wait in a room by myself than tempt James into trying to have another talk with me.
He joined me just a moment later, carrying two delicious looking salads. He set them down on the
settings, darting back into the kitchen. He came back with two glasses of water with lemon.
I thought he might have actually forgotten that he was wearing nothing but a damp towel. It was
impossible for me to forget such a thing. Looking that incredible should be illegal. He really was tan
everywhere. It was a heady sight.
I waited politely for him to sit to my left before eating. It was mixed greens with feta cheese and
pecans. I couldn t put my finger on what the lightly flavored dressing was, but it was quite good.
It s delicious, I told him after a few bites.
He smiled at me. It was a careful smile. He was still in his afraid to offend me mood.
I actually cooked the whole meal tonight. I don t get to do it often, but I wanted to for you. I can t
pretend, though, that this is a common occurrence. I have a great housekeeper here who usually does most
of the cooking at this house.
I nodded pleasantly, trying not to look uncomfortable with the casual reminder of his wealth.
Do your parents live in Las Vegas, as well? he asked me after he d finished his salad.
I froze, but recovered quickly. They re dead, I said, my face and voice blank.
He looked startled. I m sorry. I didn t know. What happened?
Where do your parents live? I asked him pointedly, rather than answering.
He looked uncomfortable. They re dead as well. They died when I was thirteen, in a car crash.
I gave him an apologetic grimace. Sorry. I don t like to talk about my parents, but I didn t mean to be
insensitive about yours.
He reached across the table, putting his hand over mine. Don t be sorry. That wasn t insensitive. You
didn t know, either.
I gave him a wry smile. I should have looked you up online. I could have saved us at least one
awkward moment.
He gave me a wry smile back. That wouldn t help me learn about you, though.
We went back to eating for a minute, and the silence was awkward.
When is your birthday? he asked suddenly. I knew what he was doing. He was so afraid to offend
me, to scare me off, that he was trying to find neutral things to talk about. He couldn t have known that my
birthday was another touchy subject.
October. I answered. How about you?
June 5th. October what?
I sighed. 24th. I stifled the urge to say, Why do you care? You won t even remember my name by
then. That would be rude, I told myself. And he seemed to be oddly sensitive.
He nodded, as though making a note of it.
Yeah, right.
The oven timer went off, and he walked into the kitchen, seemingly oblivious to the fact that that clingy
towel looked in danger of falling off with every step.
I made myself look away.
He brought in two impressive dishes a moment later. He had already dished the food onto the plates,
arranging the meal with a chef s flourish.
It was an offering of asparagus, freshly baked salmon seasoned to perfection, and some type of grain I d
never seen before.
I tasted it, then pointed to it with my fork. I don t even know what that is, but it s delicious. It s all
divine. Is there anything you re bad at?
He smiled, the first self-deprecating smile I d seen on him. It was disarming and all too charming.
Learning about you. Getting you to spend the night with me. And that grain is quinoa.
I just continued to eat, ignoring the first things he mentioned. I still felt that itching under my skin, that
strong need to withdraw from the intimacy we d shared.
Oh, I got you a present, he told me, smiling at me as we were finishing our meal. Do you want
desert before or after the gift?
I waved him off. Oh, I couldn t. I m so stuffed already.
He looked genuinely disappointed. Just a bite? It s just a light custard with some fresh fruit. We could
share.
I smiled, genuinely charmed by his boyish need to impress me with his cooking. Okay, we can share.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mr. Insatiable
He was back quickly with the desert. It was served in a heavy glass goblet, and he held the spoon up to
my mouth for a bite.
Mmmm, I said, smiling at him, my mouth still full.
Unexpectedly, he bent down and kissed me. It was so different from the tone of the meal we d just
shared that I almost pushed him away, startled. Instead, I made myself hold still, kissing him back
tentatively.
This was the part that was easy between us, I thought. None of the rest of it made any sense to me, but
this part felt damned near too perfect. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]