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“I don’t know. Is there room for all our weapons in the safe?” He stays dry.

My lips curl into a smile. He’s funny.

And he’s guarded.

He doesn’t want to talk about it either. Doesn’t want to face the fact he did want me here.

We had the same vision of the future. A shared life. A marriage. A bunch of plants.

As far as he knew anyway.

“Why do you think I’m here?” I ask.

“You mean this isn’t some sort of elaborate ruse to get in my pants?” He stays wry.

“Really, Matteo. I’m being serious.”

“Are you?” His eyes go to mine. They scream get real.

I hold his gaze. “Yes, I am.” I think. I’m honestly not sure anymore.

He softens, just a little. Just enough to invite me to explain. When I don’t, he shifts to the topic at hand: making dinner. “Come here. Trim these green beans for me.” He makes a show of setting a paring knife on the cutting board. Is this why you’re here? To kill me? Try it and see what happens.

I stick with his game. Humor to avoid the truth.

Wait. That’s my game. He’s just playing better than I am.

“I didn’t hear ‘please,’” I say in my brattiest voice.”

“And I didn’t hear a yes, sir. But here we are.” He shoots me a look that says two can play this game.

My core clenches. Fuck, he’s sexy like this. “I prefer yes, chef.” I move around the island. I make a point of brushing against him, so my ass is against his pelvis.

So I can feel his cock against my flesh.

All those layers of clothes in the way.

I need them gone.

But I need to wait.

I settle into my spot in front of the cutting board. “How about we roleplay. You’re the chef. I’m your apprentice. I make a mistake, so you bend me over your lap to punish me.” I nod to the stool.

He follows my gaze. “The angle’s wrong.”

“The couch, then.”

“Why would a chef be on the couch?” he asks.

A laugh spills from my lips. Oh my god. He’s ridiculous. “Do you really need the scene to make sense?”

“You’re a writer. You should understand the audience’s need to suspend disbelief.”

My laugh deepens. Spreads up my chest and throat.

That’s just such a Matteo thing to say.

He’s just…