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“Exactly my point. I want chocolate-chocolate hot chocolate.” Jenny reached for the canister.
“Tell me what you mean, and I’ll do it.”
She sighed. “Okay, you fill up the mug halfway with water, then microwave it til it’s boiling, then you scoop in heaping tablespoons of mix until the mug is almost to the brim. That’s chocolate-chocolate hot chocolate.”
Brax stood there and stared down at her. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Nobody would do that.”
“How often do you have to buy this stuff for CiCi?”
“Probably every other month.”
“How many times does she come over?”
“Twice a month,” Brax answered.
“And she always has hot chocolate, doesn’t she.”
Brax frowned. “How did you know?”
“I’ve been to the coffee shop with her. I’ve heard her order. I know how many pumps of chocolate syrup she asks for.”
He reached out and stroked his knuckles down her cheek and she shivered. “I’m all for that for both of you. I get worried that you’ve both been through traumatic events and you could afford to put on some weight. So again, why don’t you sit down, and I’ll make you chocolate-chocolate hot chocolate?”
“That’d be great.”
“How big of a mug do you want?”
“Not too much. Six ounces of water is just fine.”
“Gotcha. Now go take a seat on the couch, and don’t forget to wrap up in the throw blanket.”
“I’m not cold, it’s fine. Plus, I’ll be hot once I start drinking the hot chocolate.”
She spun around and headed for the living room.
Lord have mercy. She might be fine without a blanket, but I’m going to burst into flames watching her in that lacy tank top and those pajama shorts. She might need hot chocolate, but I’m going to need something a whole hell of a lot stronger.
He pulled down a mug and poured some water into it, then put it in the microwave. While he waited for that to heat, he grabbed a short glass and his good bottle of bourbon. He poured himself a healthy couple of shots. Thank God he’d thrown on a pair of jeans. If he’d been wearing a pair of sweats his hard-on would’ve been as obvious as Pinocchio’s nose when he was lying.
The microwave dinged and he pulled out the mug of hot water, then proceeded to follow Jenny’s instructions. He looked down at the thick goo. This couldn’t be right. He took a sip and winced. She was going to fall into a sugar coma for sure.
He walked out to the living room with the two drinks and handed her the mug. Brax sat down in the armchair next to the couch where she was sitting. He saw her frown, but it was definitely for the best. After all, they were still in first gear.
“You’re not going to sit next to me?”
“I’m fine over here.”
Her frown deepened. If he wasn’t mistaken, he saw a look of hurt flash over her face. He set down his glass on the coffee table, got up, and wrapped the blanket around Jenny.
“Now I can sit next to you.”
“Oh.” She blushed. As he sat down next to her and picked up his drink, she snuggled next to him. “You know, maybe you need to go put on a shirt.”
Her cheek rubbed against his chest hair and Brax held back a groan. This was such a bad idea. He sucked down a large swallow of bourbon and Jenny giggled.
