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Deacon wore a striped apron over a T-shirt and shorts, which only added to his appeal.
His sinewy, ink-covered arms rippled as he guided Raff through the recipe.
Raff was in a matching pinafore, his face set in intense concentration as he measured the ingredients.
He held up a measuring spoon.
‘Is this enough saffron, Dad?’
‘Dump it in,’ Deacon said. ‘All of it. Let’s pack it with flavor.’
Raff tipped the spice into a generous iron pan with such gusto that some of the red powder dusted his face and apron.
Chuckling, Deacon used a kitchen towel to buff the bright smudge from the tip of our son’s nose.
The sound of their shared laughter warmed me, even as emotion tightened my chest at the sight of their bond.
An hour later, the savory scent of toasted rice, garlic and fresh prawns filled the air.
Deacon lifted me from my perch on the daybed and carried me to the table Raff set with plates, cutlery and glassware.
He’d even lit a candle, casting a golden, romantic glow over the room.
‘It all looks amazing, gentlemen,’ I murmured as I settled into my chair.
Deacon brought a loaded platter and set it down.
‘Dinner is served, Mama,’ he said, passing me a plate.
As I reached for it, his fingers brushed mine, sending a sudden electric jolt through me.
The contact made me realize how much I craved his touch.
‘Thanks, Vega,’ I whispered, holding his gaze a beat. ‘It looks incredible.’
‘Raff did the heavy lifting,’ he said, offering a slow, rakish smirk that set my pulse racing.
After dinner, we put on a movie.
Deacon and Raff sat on either side of me on the oversized lounge, and before long, they both fell asleep.
Raff snuggled into my right. Then Deacon followed, his head settling on my left shoulder.
My breath hitched, but I stayed still, unwilling to move an inch.
I savored the experience even after the film credits rolled.
Deacon eventually shifted and sat up.
He stretched, raising his arms over his head. His T-shirt rode up.
I caught a glimpse of the skin above his waist and his ripped lower abs.
So damn enticing.
‘Movie over?’ he said in a husky timbre.
‘Ten minutes ago.’
