"Really well. Sorry I took so long. I wanted to go over the few things I missed."
"No problem. It gave me extra time to fuss over this." He sets down a plate of Caesar salad and baked pasta. "This is pizza lasagna," he explains, setting down his own plate and sitting beside me. "It's got extra oregano, a three-cheese blend, and diced pepperoni mixed in with the ground beef."
"You're a genius. This smells incredible."
"I thought you might need some downtime, beautiful. A big meal, a cheesy movie, a good night's sleep. Am I right?"
"Sure are." I reach out to clasp his hand, then blink in surprise at our intertwined fingers. Since when did I get so bold?
He raises an eyebrow. "Are you trying to tell me you’d like something before dinner?"
"I…" I think he likes it when I'm saucy. More to the point,Ilike it when I'm saucy. "Would you like to help me test my new lip balm before it gets covered in lasagna?”
He leans closer, his deep eyes locked on mine. "That sounds like a flimsy excuse. Like you're trying to ask me for a kiss."
"Is that okay?"
"Sure. Or you could just say..." He crooks his finger at me. "Kiss me now."
I lean in, capturing his lips with mine. At first the kiss is tender. Sweet. Light. Then his fingers slip into the back of my hair, pulling me to him, heat and desire building fast.
My mind is already swirling, racing ten steps ahead. What's going to happen when we're on the couch watching a movie together? What's going to happen when I see him coming out of the shower wearing nothing but a towel tomorrow? What…
No.I need to get out of my head. Stop thinking of best- and worst-case scenarios. With a deep breath, I relax into the moment, my hand slowly working up his solid chest to his shoulder, leaning closer.
Time seems to stop as swirls of warmth dance through my stomach, over my nipples, up my inner thighs. He must sensethe faint shiver that runs through me because he pauses, kissing along my cheekbone and lightly caressing the side of my face.
"I need to be the responsible adult who makes sure you eat your dinner while it's hot." His deep voice is so smoky, it makes me want to tear his clothes off.
His eyes dart to the clock for a split second. "Also, you met me almost exactly twenty-four hours ago. So…" He grins. "You are completely in charge of anyhanky-panky, but maybe we should have a dinner date first?"
"Hanky-panky? I thought you called it…funny business."
His eyes burn into mine again with one of those seductive smiles. Then he lifts an eyebrow. "Canoodling?Whatever we call it, let's eat dinner first. Once you've had five bites, I want to hear every detail about your test."
The meal is delicious. On top of the rest of his admirable qualities, the man can cook. Plus, he doesn’t make a mess in the kitchen. He’s organized, even there.
By the time we're loading the dishwasher, he understands my coding soon-to-be job, and I understand his work as ranger. It sounds like a volunteer position, and reading between the lines, I get the sense that he doesn't need the money but likes to feel useful.
We snuggle on the couch and watch a movie. Just as the credits begin to roll, my phone rings from where it's charging on the kitchen counter.
"Are you expecting a call?" Nate asks.
"Mom's the only person who ever phones me. Let it go to voicemail."
The corners of his jaw tense. "May I answer it?"
I'm already giggling. "By all means, go ahead."
He brings the phone over to the couch, then hits speaker. "Hello?" I notice he's making his voice extra deep and growly.
"Oh. Um. Hello." My mother sounds confused. "Is… Is Bailey there?"
"Who’s calling, please?"
"It's her mother. I…we…need to know if she's okay."
Nate takes a slow breath. "Why the hell do you give a flying fuck if she's okay?"
