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I chuckled before nodding. Brady immediately sidled close to me, pressing his head against my arm as he extended the other one to take a selfie, and I couldn’t stop myself from curling my arm around his waist. I could do that now, right? The soft, pleased sigh that escaped Brady’s lips told me that I could, and I grinned at the camera along with Brady as it clicked. The picture was beautiful. It looked like the happiness we were feeling was pouring out of the picture, and I knew I’d be getting it framed and putting it somewhere in my house, even if my eyelids looked like a disaster zone. “Send it to me, okay?”
“Done,” Brady replied with a wink before shooing me toward the en-suite. I didn’t want to wash off the makeup, but I also didn’t want it to drip into my eyes when I started sweating while I cooked, so I quickly scrubbed it away before wiping my face with one of Brady’s super-soft towels. I was surprised when a slight pink tinge appeared on the towel. Apparently, I hadn’t been as thorough as I’d thought I was. Shaking my head, I walked out of the bathroom to see Brady had put everything back in its place.
“Go on ahead. I’ll just wash up and be there.”
In the kitchen, I pulled out the ingredients I’d be needing to cook the burst tomato pasta I’d planned on making. It was a simple enough dish that it wouldn’t take long, but it was also pretty damn delicious. I’d come across the recipe a few days ago, and I was hoping Brady would like it. I washed all the veggies as I set the pasta to cook.
Brady appeared in the kitchen just as I was starting on the prep. “What can I help with?”
I handed him the chopping board and the onion while taking a second one for myself with the salami. “Peel and chop that for me?”
“Sure!” We chopped together in silence for a few minutes before a soft, sniffling sound made me turn to look at Brady, who had tears running down his cheeks. I panicked for a second, wondering what the hell was wrong before realizing I’d stupidly handed him the onions when I should’ve cut them myself. I bit my lip to keep from smiling as I set my own knife down and turned so I was facing him completely.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” Brady said hoarsely, and I had to bite back a chuckle as I pulled the knife out of his hand. I turned him so he was facing me before wiping the tears away. I glanced at the onions—unevenly cut as they were—and bit back another smile.
“Why don’t you just keep me company while I cook?” I offered, and he narrowed his eyes at me before slumping.
“All right.” As I moved his cutting board toward me, he jumped up on the counter and got comfortable, as if he planned on sitting there while I cooked. I was totally okay with that.
“Whatcha cooking, then?”
“Burst tomato pasta. I think you’ll like it.”
“I like everything you cook, Ceebee. I don’t really want to talk about work on our date, but have you enjoyed working at the café this week?”
I gave him a smile as I finished prepping all the vegetables and nodded. “Oh, I love it. Thank you so much.”
Brady shook his head at me as he spoke, “I’m the one who should be saying thank you. Business is booming because of your specials. Since there are so many workplaces around our café, your food has become a hot commodity. I’m so glad I snatched you up.”
I blushed as I busied myself with cooking. We talked about our favorite movies, TV shows, and all the ‘get to know each other’ things. I was pleasantly surprised by how much we had in common—the love for Marvel movies, the dislike for everything that had to do with sports—and I couldn’t wait to get to know everything there was to know about Brady.
Once dinner was ready, Brady brought out two TV trays and beers. I dished the food, and then we made our way into the living room. We decided on a Marvel movie—of course we did—and got comfortable on the couch with our food. Cherry, who’d been quietly sleeping on her bed for the past few hours, perked up at our presence and scrambled onto the couch, settling down between us and eying our food. I avoided looking at her because I knew I’d give in to her puppy eyes and let her have some if I did.
We ate in comfortable silence as we watched the movie, Brady expressing his love for Loki every time he showed up on the screen. “You know, if Tom ever showed interest in me, I’d dump you so fast,” Brady said, giving me a serious look, though I could see the twinkle in his eyes.
“Honestly? I’d probably fight you for him,” I told him with a raised brow, loving the way Brady’s eyes widened in surprise before he grinned at me. Then he got this wicked look in his eyes, and I knew he was going to say something weird or embarrassing.
“Or we could just share him,” he offered, and I almost choked on my drink. Holy hell, this man would be the death of me.
Brady shuffled closer to me, taking my empty tray and placing it on the floor with his. Cherry jumped off the couch to investigate them, giving Brady the perfect opportunity to snuggle into me. I held him to me as he looked up and grinned at me. “Did you like my idea?”
I drank the last of my beer as I wondered what to say. In the end, I settled for a quiet, “Hmmm…I’m not really sure.”
Brady just chuckled at me before snuggling closer, and we cuddled on the couch as we watched the movie, Brady spooned up against me as Cherry lay on his other side. It was perfect. I couldn’t imagine anything better than what I was doing right now, and I couldn’t believe I’d lived so long without getting to experience this. But now that I had it, I never wanted to let go. We’d barely kissed tonight except for when Brady had pressed his lips to mine, and though I’d love to do that again, I felt just as happy lying here with Brady.
When the credits started rolling, I wanted to grab the remote and play another movie so I wouldn’t have to leave. But I knew I had to. “I guess it’s time for me to go, huh?”
Brady sat up on the couch and gave me a small smile. “We’ll see each other tomorrow.”
I nodded as I followed suit. That was true. I’d be up and at the café early tomorrow morning. We wouldn’t really be apart for all that long. The thought gave me the motivation I needed to get up. I stretched my arms as I worked out the cramps. Cuddling on the couch was not good for my body, it seemed, but I couldn’t care less.
Brady walked me to the door, and just before I could open it, he turned me around, pressing me against the door as he looked up at me with a smile. “Can I have a goodbye kiss, Charlie?”
I nodded as I licked my dry lips. That was all the invitation Brady needed before he curled his palm around the back of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulled me closer and pressed his lips to mine. Those fireworks you always read about in romance novels? They were all there, sparking up every time Brady’s lips moved around mine. I moaned as he tugged at my lower lip with his teeth, giving him the chance to swoop his tongue into my mouth. His tongue explored my mouth, and I followed his lead, tasting the sweetness of his own. God, he was such a good kisser. And I loved the way he just took control, the way he dominated my mouth and my body, making it do whatever he wanted it to. Blood rushed to my groin, heating me up in all the best ways as he nibbled on my lower lip again before trailing kisses down my jaw and behind my ear until he reached my pulse point. There, Brady feasted on my skin, his teeth nipping at my skin and his tongue soothing the sting before it could hurt too much. I knew he’d be leaving a mark, and the idea sent a thrill racing down my spine, raising goosebumps on my arms.
I groaned when he finally pulled away because I didn’t want to stop. Fuck taking it slow. I wanted him now.
