Page 16 of A Very Grumpy Chef

He nods, clicking on the first episode. We both relax as it starts, and I marvel at how easy and natural this all feels. We both seem to click.

If I knew having a boyfriend would be like this, maybe I would’ve tried earlier, I think, then stop myself. No, I think this is just Alec. Being with him feels right. It wouldn’t have been like this with anyone else.

I don’t know how I know that. Gut instinct, I guess.

I’m starting to fall in love with him.

That realization hits me like a ton of bricks. Luckily for me, the oven timer goes off, and Alec stands to finish dinner so he misses my wide-eyed, panicked look.

I try to focus on the show as Alec plates our food before returning to the living room.

“Bon Appetit,” he says, passing me my plate.

“Thanks, this looks amazing.”

I try to act normal as we eat. It’s hard not to moan as every bite melts in my mouth. “I think this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”

Alec smiles happily. “Thanks. It’s always been a favorite of mine.”

“You should offer it at Palmer’s,” I tell him. “On the new menu.”

“Maybe.”

We talk about the show, the new menu, and how he’s adjusting to life in a small town as we finish eating. Alec stands, clearing away our plates, and I can’t help but think about our future.

What would being with him be like? There’d be great food, sure, but would our schedules work? Would we get bored with only seeing each other one night a week?

I’m getting way ahead of myself. We’ve only known each other for a short time. I don’t need to worry about any of that right now. For tonight, I need to enjoy being with him and have some fun.

“Coco?” Alec frowns as he sits back down next to me.

I realize he was asking me a question. “Sorry, what?”

“I asked what you want,” he says.

I lick my lips and sit up straighter. “You,” I whisper as I lean forward, closing the distance between us and pressing my lips to his.

8

Alec

The second Coco’s lips touch mine, I lose every ounce of control I’ve been clinging to.

I grab her waist and haul her against me, swallowing her gasp as my mouth crashes over hers. Her hands fist in my shirt, and then she’s kissing me back just as hard—hot, hungry, and nothing like the timid kiss she started with.

Fuck.

I slide one hand into her hair and angle her head, taking the kiss deeper. Her lips part beneath mine, our tongues tangling as she presses every soft curve of her body against me. A rough groan tears from my throat.

“Was that you or the television?” Coco asks against my mouth.

“Keep teasing me and find out,” I growl as I nip her bottom lip.

Her bright green eyes flash with challenge. “Is that a threat?”

“A promise.”

I drag her back to me before she can answer. She tastes sweet, and I can’t get enough of her. Every kiss makes me want another—harder, deeper, more. I kiss her until we’re both breathing heavily, until her hands are in my hair and my shirt is twisted in her fists. Until she swings one leg over my lap and straddles me.