Page 134 of Big Bad Wolf

“Mmhmm.”

“It’s beautiful.”

Ruby watched in delight as a slow blush crept over Rafe’s cheeks.

“Thanks.”

“You’re beautiful,” she said with a grin.

“Ruby…”

“Too far?”

“A bit,” he said, the pleased smile returning to his lips. “BLT okay?”

“A BLT sounds perfect. I like any food as long as someone else makes it.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“For all the days you’re going to cook for me in the future?” she teased but Rafe held her gaze, his silver eyes flashing.

“Yes, exactly.”

Pleasure rushed through Ruby’s body. She could really get used to this. “Okay,” she squeaked, her voice tight with the emotions of imagining decades of Rafe cooking her meals in the middle of the night.

“I plan to make it up to you,” he said, laying the bacon in the hot pan. The smell quickly filled the kitchen and Ruby’s stomach grumbled.

“Make what up to me?”

He looked at her, eyebrow raised. “Ruby, we both know I have a lot to make up for. I put you through hell. I put both of us through hell.”

Ruby opened her mouth to argue but changed her mind. “Well, you’re not wrong.”

Rafe laughed. “I know.”

He assembled the sandwiches, slid them onto plates, and sat next to her at the table.

“Ooo … diagonally cut. Nice start.”

“Glad you like it,” he said through big bites of his dinner. They ate in comfortable silence after that, with Ruby studying the quaintness of his house and Rafe never taking his eyes off Ruby.

Her gaze returned to his to find him staring. “What is it? Do I look scared? Because I’m only appalled at how many throw blankets you have on that couch. Are you a little old lady in disguise?”

“I get cold!” he said in mock outrage and Ruby giggled as he beamed at her.

“I never said thank you,” he added when she was done laughing.

“For what?”

“For not giving up on me. Even when I was being a stubborn asshole.”

“You’re welcome.” She pushed the hair back from his face, reveling in the look of him. A sight she’d now get to see every day for the rest of her life. “Thanks for finally hearing me.”

His lips tipped into a smile and he took her hand in his, laying a kiss on her palm.

“Is Dolores really pissed at me?” he asked.

“She is.”