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“This is a recipe called stuffies. I figured it was appropriate considering you’d like to stuff Pippi Longstocking.”
I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, what are you stuffing?”
“Relax. It’s why I had you buy the sausage.”
“Please tell me the sausage wasn’t some kind of sick sexual thing, too?”
“No, you bloody wanker. Who’s the one with the dirty mind now?”
“Clearly I don’t trust you.”
“The sausage will be mixed with the clams and some breadcrumbs, then put back in the shells and baked. It’s apparently quite a popular way of making them, despite your assumption that I’m working to taunt you or sabotage your dinner.”
I relaxed a little. I should have more confidence in him. The one thing he rarely screwed up was food.
Looking over at the clock, I realized there wasn’t much time before Felicity would arrive at eight. My clothing still smelled like the salty ocean from our jaunt earlier today. Leaving Sigmund in the kitchen, I went upstairs to shower and get dressed.
When I returned downstairs, the counters were empty. “Where’s the food?”
“Will you relax? I didn’t ruin anything. The stuffies are in the oven. And the lobsters are boiling. Everything is under control—except you. Calm your balls.”
“Also, can you not be an arse to her tonight? Is that too much to ask?”
“I can’t promise I won’t slip up. But I’ll try. Unless you’d prefer I leave altogether?”
“No. I told her we would be getting together as a group. I don’t want to freak her out. This isn’t supposed to be a date.”
“Ah. I see what you’re doing. Very clever. Reel her in by making her believe you’re no longer interested in dating her, all while charming her slowly.”
The doorbell rang.
“That’s her now. Turn on your manners button.”
He pressed repeatedly on his chest. “Bugger. It must be stuck. Looks like you’re out of luck.”
I sighed and went to the front door. When I opened it, the breath nearly left my body.
Her flaming hair was down, styled into long, loose tendrils. She wore a bright red dress that wasn’t formal, but rather made of thin cotton with a tie around her neck. It was short, simple, and sexy as all hell, accentuating her long legs. Her lips were painted a matching shade of red. This was a different look for her, but I loved it. My favorite part was the ability to see for the first time just how far the freckles traveled down her chest.
“Felicity, you look…” I cleared my throat. “Incredible.”
“Thank you. I thought it might be nice if I actually dressed up for once. You know, not quite Mary Poppins, not quite tomboy—somewhere in the middle.”
“You look lovely no matter how you’re dressed. But you’re particularly stunning tonight.” I shook my head, realizing I’d been so mesmerized I hadn’t invited her inside. “Come in. Come in.”
As she entered the foyer, she took a deep breath. “Something smells good.”
“He’s making…stuffies?”
“Oh yes. Good choice.”
The fact that she’d heard of them brought me relief.
When we entered the kitchen, my cousin’s eyes widened. “Felicity, you look absolutely gorgeous.”
“Why, thank you. I think that might be the first nice thing you’ve said to me.”
“Well, it’s deserved.”
His compliment irked me. And I didn’t like the way he was looking at her now, either—like he was finally seeing what I had been all this time. But it didn’t matter to me whether she was in a red dress or a baggy T-shirt; she was beautiful.
“What can I get you to drink?” I asked.
“Surprise me.” She smiled.
Back home, they always served white wine with seafood, so I figured that might be the best choice for this evening. Then I remembered the bottle of Dom Pérignon chilling and opted to open that instead. After preparing two flutes, I handed her one and watched as she took a sip. When she licked her lips, I swore my cock moved.
“Mmm... Good choice. I love champagne. Thank you.”
Sigmund opened the oven and placed the tray of stuffed clam shells on the counter. I had to admit, they looked and smelled delicious.
Felicity leaned her head over the tray. “Had you ever made stuffies before, Sig?”
“This was my first time.”
“Impressive.”
“If food is the way to your heart, love, my cousin doesn’t stand a chance.” He laughed.
She patted me on the shoulder. “Well, he’s a great boat captain. At least he has that.”
I cleared my throat. “What she really means to say is, I put in a good effort before she had to take the wheel from me because I was driving it like Nan.”
She smiled from behind her champagne. I loved her smile, especially when it was focused on me.
The voice in my head seemed to come out of nowhere. “What are you doing?” The answer was certainly: falling for someone I had no right to be. I just didn’t know how to stop. I shooed the negative voice away.
