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I sighed. “You being so close makes me want to bend you over the counter and fuck you as I hold a knife to your throat.”

Tex sucked in a sharp breath, and I glanced his way momentarily. His pupils were blown, and he looked more than ready for that to happen.

“I’m not against it, but I’m a little shocked you’d use your kitchen knives.”

My mouth turned down in a frown. “I wouldn’t. I have a knife on me at all times.”

“That’s… Fuck, that’s hot.”

“Go check on Penelope,” I ordered.

“Fine, he’s never been a lock-me-away cat. He hates that shit.” Tex headed toward the downstairs bathroom, and I heard the tinkling of a bell shortly after.

“He’s free and zooming around the place,” Tex said.

I made a mental note to order more lint rollers and an air purifier. I kept an ear out, listening to Tex whisper to the cat and cheer him on to try his new scratching posts. It was strange to have someone in my personal space that wasn’t family. Even then, I sometimes waited for them to leave with bated breath.

Tex and Penelope playing relaxed me further, and I found myself engrossed in the dish I was making.

I dried my hands and placed the plates on the table before heading to the living room. Tex tossed one of the silvervine balls up on the cat tree, and Penelope chased after it. I watched him for a moment longer.

“You being a creeper?” Tex asked.

“Dinner is ready.”

He smiled and got up. “Good, I’m starving.” He stopped short of entering the kitchen. “If you want me to move any of the setup, let me know. I wasn’t sure if anything would feel out of place for you.”

It was new, but I found I was more accepting of it. “I’ll let you know.” It took my brain a little longer to tell me if something wasn’t right sometimes. Part of me enjoyed the fact that Tex was concerned about my comfort.

We both got washed up and sat at the table. Tex’s face lit up as he took in the creamy shrimp risotto with mascarpone, a dish I’d perfected over the years.

“Can’t believe you made this,” Tex said.

“There are a few things police files won’t teach you about me.”

Tex paused with the spoon halfway to his mouth. His blue eyes flicked up to me and widened. “Did you just make a joke?”

I shrugged and spooned my food. “I can make them on occasion.”

He reached across the table and touched my forehead. “Are you sure you aren’t sick?”

I smacked his hand away. “Eat.”

Tex laughed as he dug in. The most alluring moans came from Tex as he ate. I wanted to hear them all the time. They were better than jazz. My cock stiffened, and I was forced to adjust as we sat there and ate.

Ringing broke the moment between us. Tex reached for his phone, and his smile dimmed slightly. He chewed on his bottom lip as he stared at the screen.

“Who is it?”

“My friend.”

I peaked at the name Chelsea. “That’s her third time calling today.”

Much like the other times, Tex forwarded the call. His shoulders slumped the moment he put the phone away.

He was silent for a long bit, and I let him be. Something was bothering him, but I couldn’t figure out what. I bet Giancarlo could. He was fantastic at reading people. Even Benito could understand other people. People’s actions and words were nothing more than a constant jigsaw puzzle for me to put together. I never had all the pieces, and it left me confused and guessing.

“She’s calling because the other day, I was kind of spirling.” Tex shook his head. “Maybe a little longer than that.”