“You’re welcome.” She curled tightly around him, their legs tangled, pressing kisses to the hard line of his stubbled jaw.“What about dessert? We have to get up anyway to turn off lights and lock up.”
“I locked up.”
“Oh.” One more tally in the keeper column for the man who would surely move on before she was ready to let him go. “My sweet tooth has jumped into high gear.”
He rolled, pinning her under him and claiming her mouth with another blazing-hot kiss. “This isn’t sweet enough for you?”
Her hands coasted over his warm skin, the solid muscle as much a thrill as the scent of him. Someday she’d manage to capture all this strength in a sculpture. “Almost.” She smoothed her palms down his back. “You cooked for me. It’s my turn. Let’s go have s’mores.”
“The power’s back, but it’s still raining. You really need a naked campfire in the rain?”
“There’s an image.” She paused, savoring the idea. “Not tonight. But your idea intrigues me.”
“Not sure if that’s a good thing.”
“It is.” She slipped out of bed and turned on the light so she could find her clothes. Finding her panties, she pulled them on and helped herself to one of his t-shirts while dodging his attempts to distract her.
Dashing downstairs to the kitchen, she turned on the oven, found a baking dish, and started layering the ingredients for s’mores.
“You weren’t kidding.”
“About dessert? Never? It’s the one food course where I do pretty well.”
Behind her his hands caressed her hips as she worked. Gathering her hair up and away from the back of her neck, he feathered kisses across the exposed skin. “You excel at many things.”
She grinned, did a little wiggle, and popped the treats into the oven so the chocolate and marshmallows could melt into gooey goodness. Once she set the timer, she surrendered to his sultry kisses and gasp-worthy touches.
All too soon the buzzer went off, forcing her attention away from him. And she dragged herself away long enough to pull the pan out of the oven. “Quick!” she directed. “Start squishing.”
They laughed again, trying not to burn fingers on the pan or the sweet sticky blend of chocolate and marshmallow. With a small spatula, she lifted up a bite of the treats. He popped it into his mouth and closed his eyes, the epitome of satisfaction.
Her knees wobbled and she stuffed her face to distract herself from the wide expanse of his torso. “Veronica reworked the concept and has a healthier version of s’mores.”
“I assumed that was fake news or a mistake on the Hideaway website.”
She cackled. “Not fake. Subbing fruit for the chocolate or marshmallow layer is really smart. Cuts down on the processed sugar.”
He snorted, his skepticism clear. “Wouldn’t it be easier to just dip fruit slices in melted chocolate?” He popped another s’more into his mouth.
“Maybe if you were inside. Around a campfire it’s more fun to be rustic.”
“I’ll take your word. Voice of experience and all.”
“Smart man.” She didn’t see any sense in trying to convince him. Now that her sweet tooth was satisfied, she was craving him again.
CHAPTER 13
The next morning, with sunlight peeking through the curtains at the window, Trent came awake slowly. He hadn’t slept so hard in ages. Reaching for Natalie, the reason behind this pure contentment, he discovered he was alone in bed.
Not cool.
He sat upright, wondering if last night had been an elaborate dream. But the pillowcase and sheets held Natalie’s scent and his body was well-aware it had been more than a dream.
Taking a fast, cold shower, he followed a strange mix of sounds to the kitchen to find Natalie at the stove talking to herself. “Are you making coffee the old-fashioned way?” he asked.
She turned, looking guilty as hell. But why? “Coffee’s over there.” She pointed toward the machine. “I’m not sure if I want you to have any though.”
“No caffeine?” He stepped closer. “Then I definitely deserve a kiss good enough to wake the dead.”
