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I honestly was concerned for her safety and driving when I suggested she stay. But having her here in my space, comfortable and warm, laughing and eating and drinking, it felt … easy.
When the movie ended, I turned on the Food Network for background noise to our conversation. I wasn’t ready for the night to end.
“Tell me about your cookbook,” I said.
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything. A cookbook is a big deal for a chef, isn’t it?”
She shifted in her seat, and something flashed in her eyes. It didn’t look like the pride I’d expected to see.
“It’s a big deal, and I’m proud of that work. The recipes are solid. But that book is from my time at Hill & Ocean, and I’m not there anymore. Reef wants the book to be an advertisement for his restaurant and his status in the city. That’s not me, not anymore.”
“It has your name on it. The bookstore down on Commerce Street will sell a thousand copies, and your business will boom. Wait and see. Perry Harbor isn’t Seattle, but we still like to hype our locals.”
“I hope you’re right.” She laughed and told me about her favorite recipes and stories from her grandmother’s kitchen. Jo was a phenomenal cook, and once that book hit the shelves, customers would come out of the woodwork. She'd get busy here, and I’d return to my real life.
“Yes, Lucas, yes.”
I slid my hand up her side, meeting the soft fullness of her breast. Her flesh filled my palm, and I felt the hard nipple even through her thick sweatshirt. That was new for the dream. She hadn’t taken her shirt off yet? My fingers drifted to her ass, and it was covered too, must be panties though the fabric felt thick. I squeezed gently and slid my hand down to her thigh. More thick cloth covered her legs. She was still dressed? How could she be riding me with clothes on?
“Baby, you’re still wearing clothes.”
“Hmmm.”
Her leg shifted and grazed my aching dick. Wait, her leg hit my dick? I lifted my hips and met warm weight above me. I cupped both cheeks and rocked against her. I heard a gasp, and my eyes sprang open as she rose on her arms above me. I followed her movement, then stopped.
“What?” I shook my head to take in my surroundings. I was on the sofa, not my bed, where the dream usually took place. Her eyes were wide, deep brown, and real. She was here. It all came rushing back, the snow, the movie, dinner, and the way her eyes expressed every emotion. I wanted to dive in and swim around. A man could get lost in the depth of those eyes.
“Um, sorry. We fell asleep.” A blush crept up her throat to her cheeks, and she brushed her hair from her face. The movement sent a waft of her lavender scent toward me, filling my nose. The same soft scent from that day in the bathroom. There was an imprint on her cheek where it had pressed to the waffle fabric of my Henley. She rubbed the raised skin and leaned back against the opposite arm of the sofa, looking everywhere except at me.
I checked the clock. Midnight. “Yeah, I guess so.” I sat up completely and met the rude awakening of my swollen cock bulging in my jeans. I groaned, and she looked at my crotch.
“Sorry. No control. You stretched out over me, that’s gonna happen. I’m only human.”
Grabbing the hem of her shirt, she pulled the material tight across her chest in what may have been an attempt at modesty but highlighted the stiff peaks on her breasts instead. Her curls were wild around her shoulders as her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. A beat passed in awkward silence.
“I should clean the dishes,” she said quickly, jumping up.
“I’ll help.” I didn’t jump. I had to will my dick to chill out.
We both grabbed plates and bowls and carried them to the island. I loaded the dishwasher while she put away the food and wiped the counters. It was familiar and comfortable, us in the kitchen together, and I tried to let it calm the buzz moving in my veins. This was just another day with Jo, except it wasn’t.
I started the dishwasher cycle, dried my hands, and switched off the bright pendant lights hanging over the island. She crossed to the big windows along the back wall and looked out at the gentle flow of the snowy backyard, the light from the fireplace giving her flawless skin a glow.
“Beautiful,” I said, stopping next to her. I smelled her floral lotion and concentrated on keeping my breath even.
“It is beautiful. It’s been a while since I last saw snow on trees and lawns.”
“I meant you, Jo. You’re beautiful. Standing in the firelight like this.”
She turned. “What?”
“You are. I don’t think you see it, and I wanted you to know that I do.” I swept her hair away from her cheek and tucked it behind her shoulder. Those deep expressive eyes were wide, and her pulse beat strong in the hollow of her neck.
“What I said to Kennedy was true. You’re special. I’m not trying to make things weird between us, and I don’t want you to be uncomfortable around me. I just want to be honest with you.”
19
