Page 34 of A Wild Darkness

His eyebrows raise. “Okay, well, remembering from the last time she stayed with us, she’s a bit of a spitfire.”

I laugh. “Yeah, I know.”

“Women like that are something else, Sebastian.” He begins preparing another sandwich and side salad for her.

I lean in to take a bite of my food when Stevie comes into the kitchen wearing a crop half-bra thing that could be painted on her skin and high-waisted workout pants to match.

I do a double take.

“Good morning. Or should I say good afternoon? Because we all know at the Thompson house, people sleep all day.” Her upbeat tone fills the room.

As Stevie slides into the high-top chair to my side, I let my eyes glide across her glistening body, appreciating her defined curves.

“I made you a sandwich and a salad,” Ben says. “Let me know if you like it or if you want anything altered.”

She smiles and holds up one finger. “Everything should be good. But absolutely no tomatoes. Thank you, Ben.”

By the time my eyes make it back to her face, she’s already looking right at me. Heat creeps up my neck at being caught ogling her.

“Enjoying the view?”

I laugh. “As a matter of fact, I am. And since you’re officially my girlfriend as of today, I think I’m entitled to look.”

“Fake girlfriend,” she corrects sarcastically. “And you can look, but no touching.”

“You got it.” I smile. “So, where have you been all morning?”

She sips the carbonated water Ben just placed on the island in front of her. “I’ve been working out with Sensei Clark.”

My eyebrows snap together, stunned and a little impressed she felt comfortable enough to go into the gym. “How did⁠—”

“Well, I had your aunt call him this morning and ask if he has time to fit me in,” she tells me with a proud smile. “Since I’m going to be staying here and not taking my regular self-defense class, I figured I needed to get in a good workout somewhere.”

“Hmm.” I glance at Ben to see he has a mirrored surprised expression like mine. “I’m glad you’re comfortable going about your regular activities.”

“It’s not like I have a choice, do I, Sebastian?” she spits a playful comment.

“You always have a choice, my beautiful girlfriend.”

Ben remains silent while cleaning up, then heads into the laundry room to drop off the dish towels to be washed.

A few minutes pass while Stevie and I eat before I speak. “Look at us having our first meal as a couple. This is sweet.”

She clicks her tongue, then steals a bite from my salad. “Does that mean we get to share food, too?”

Oh no.

I move my bowl and plate farther away. “I don’t like to share my food.”

She frowns. “Oh, really?” Then reaches across the counter to stab another bite from my salad.

“Stevie,” I warn.

“If we’re dating, you’re going to have to share your food.” She pouts, poking fun at me.

One of my biggest pet peeves is people eating off my plate. “It was made for me for a reason.”

“But yours looks better than mine.” She continues leaning all the way over the counter until she’s almost on my lap. I grip her hips, lifting and sliding her on top of me in one swift motion. She gasps. Now, straddling me, her core rests snugly against my dick.