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“There’s leftover chile rellenos. I guess I should ask if you like them.”
“I’ve never tried them, but I like to try different things at least once.” Her cheeks lit up and she glanced away, but not before he noticed.
“Promises, promises.”
The color in her face intensified, providing final proof of her wayward thoughts.
The fact she was also remembering their steamy clench made him want her all the more. He was ravenous, and his desire had nothing to do with food. He knew where this evening would lead, at least he hoped so, but he had to move slowly. He didn’t want to scare her off. They might never have another evening like this one.
He pulled out a foil-covered dish. With her elbows resting on the center island, Lexi perched her chin on her palm, watching him as he shredded some Monterey Jack over the red sauce. He chopped a little fresh cilantro and sprinkled it over the top.
“You’re the first man to cook for me. You know, I could get used to this special treatment.”
He liked the idea of being the first to do something for her. “You could, huh?”
“Mmm…hmm. I find a man who pays such close attention to details extremely sexy.”
She found him sexy? His shoulders pulled back, and his chest puffed up. Slow and steady, he reminded himself. He slid the covered dish into the oven, set the timer, and turned. “While that warms up, how about a drink? Would you like some wine?”
She nodded. “I’ll get it.”
He put a hand on her shoulder. “Tonight, I’m going to wait on you. Do you have a preference?”
She shook her head. “You choose.”
“I have a perfectly good bottle of Chardonnay. It comes from a local winery.”
“I didn’t know New Mexico had wineries.”
He located the bottle and handed it over to her to examine. “There are a number of them around the state. You should visit one or two before you leave.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Are you offering to be my tour guide again?”
The idea certainly appealed to him. There was a lot he wanted to show her—a whole lot. “You have a knack for suckering me into showing you just about everything.”
“Everything?” Her voice held a sensual tone to it.
They made idle chatter about his day as they worked together to set the table. The food didn’t take long to warm in the oven. In no time, he carried the steaming dish into the dining room. He never bothered to eat in here when it was just him, but somehow, with Lexi here, he wanted to do things differently. Everything seemed fresh and new with her around.
Lexi’s eyelids drifted shut as she inhaled deeply. “You made this all by yourself?”
“You sound surprised.” Her eyes opened and met his. There was no denying it, he’d fallen under her spell. “I’m a man of many talents.”
“So I’m learning.”
He served up the food for both of them, all the while hoping she’d enjoy the taste as much as the aroma. There was a chance the chiles would be too hot for her. His fork hovered over his plate as she took a mouthful, chewed, and swallowed.
“This is delicious.”
He expelled a long-held breath. “I’m glad you like it.”
The easy banter continued throughout the meal. Leisurely evenings with Lexi could definitely become a habit for
him—a habit he’d never want to break. Every muscle in his body tightened when he realized the feelings he had for her went so much deeper than he’d ever imagined.
The breath hitched in his throat. Could it be?
Was he falling in love with Lexi?
