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“Depends. That’s a lot of syllables, more than some Southerners can say in the oppressive summer humidity. That’s why we shorten words. It’s usu’ly too damn hot to say the entire word.”
“Huh. Okay, so Sweetheart is a maybe. What are you going to call me?” Lucas asked.
“You already have a nickname, Hot Shot.”
“Oh right. I like that one. Let’s go with that.” The wolfish smile was back on his alluring lips. He was fun, and I liked him. I had assumed he’d only want one night, but his suggestion that we date had changed that. And I definitely wanted more than one night with this tempting, teasing, hot as hell Lucas.
We finished the meal and most of the bottle of wine. So once again, I was full and relaxed. We worked together to clean the dishes and wipe off the counters. Lucas was doing it the way I taught him, and we were a well-oiled machine. You can never have too many side towels in a professional kitchen, and you can never clean and sanitize your workstation too much. It’s not possible, and the habit stuck with me.
I preferred to clean before dessert. Yes, I had to re-clean a few places, but again, can’t do that too much, and this way, the bulk of the dreaded cleanup work was done before my treat. Lucas found ways to touch or brush against me throughout the process. My blood, along with the wine, buzzed in my veins.
After he demolished an enormous slice of almond cake with simple, fresh whipped cream and took his time licking his fork, I was ready to jump him. “I should go. Early morning,” I said, keeping my mind on the no-sex plan.
He pulled me into his arms by the door. “Thank you for staying. I had fun.”
“Me too.” My smile was so big it hurt my face.
He leaned in with a soft kiss and drank in my moan as I pressed against him. His strong arms around me, massaging and grasping down my back, stoking the fire already coursing through me. His silky lips were on my neck, my jaw, and finally, his mouth covered mine again, his tongue searching and exploring. I was dizzy. There was no defense for this. I had never been kissed so thoroughly, so consumingly, in my life.
He held me tight to him as he palmed my ass. Stroking my thigh through the tight skirt, he teased the crease at the top. As he cupped me there, the alarm of realization hit. His fingers had been on my thighs and butt. He felt them. It was too late. He was making informed decisions to touch me, rounded thighs and all. So, I abandoned all caution, pressing my tingling nipples against his chest and my center against his bulge with a whimper.
Minutes, or possibly hours, passed before he pulled back, and we both gasped for air. He held my face and looked into my eyes. “There’s no rush, Jo. We’re dating, and we’ll move forward a little at a time. Anticipation is delicious.” He smoldered with those irresistible dimples. “I’ll be thinking about your mouth and all your sweetness tonight. Won’t be able to think of much else.”
I stared at his crotch and licked my lips. He saw me do it. “Whose idea was this no sex thing? Because I don’t think it was me.”
Lucas chuckled as he grabbed my jacket and held it out for me. I shoved my arms into the sleeves and glared up at him. He opened the door for me and kissed me on the nose. “Think about me on your drive home.”
24
JO
“I’m so hungry.I was in the back storeroom by the kitchen at work this morning. Those apple tarts you made smelled amazing.” Emily watched closely as food was delivered to a table by the door. It was lunchtime, and The Boathouse was getting busy.
“I didn’t make those. Kalie did. She’s working on a certificate in pastry. She’ll finish in, wow, two more months, and then she’ll pick up some hours making desserts too.”
I did the math in my head. Soon, Kalie would pick up more hours, which meant I would get less. The plan was for me to grow my personal chef business by then. Lucas said he thought my cookbook would spark business for me once it released. I hoped he was right. I had a few one-offs here and there, but Lucas was my one steady gig so far. I needed more clients on the books, and soon. Time flies when you’re dating the hottest man you’ve ever met.
I already came clean to Emily about Lucas earlier. When she asked me to go to lunch with her and ReeAnn today, I suspected she was hoping for a full download. I went with it. I was out of my depth with Lucas, and maybe they had some advice.
I liked him more every day. He was playful and flirted, even in public. He respected the chef’s coat but touched me or held my hand every time I wasoff the clock.We went to a movie and ate a nice dinner out. We went bowling and had fish ’n chips. He snuck into the barn kitchen to help with the farm meal last Friday. We watched hockey, and instead of a drinking game, we played a kissing game that had to do with players going to the penalty box, shots on goal, and something called icing. Best time I ever had watching hockey, I’ll say that.
We stuck to the no-sex thing, though I sometimes wanted to chuck the idea. A couple of nights, I’d slept over, just slept. He in pajama bottoms, me in the matching top like a movie meet-cute. There was more of the touching I loved but no more dry humping. The heat and desire in his eyes made me feel wanted, worthy, and beautiful, and he held me tightly but gently like I was precious.
He liked all of my date outfits, claiming each color of sweater or shirt looked great with my skin or hair. He was kind to his mom, joked with his brother and Emily, and fussed over his dad about his diet. Lucas was good, he made me feel special, and God help me; it made me want to trust him.
Jake nodded at the three of us as we shrugged off our wet jackets and hung them on nearby hooks by the booth.
“Complimentary tea, coffee? Warm you up?”
We ordered, and ReeAnn shifted in her seat.
Jake leaned down. “Hi, babe,” he whispered against her lips before a chaste kiss. “I’ll be back with your drinks. Lunch is on the house today, ladies. Thanks for bringing my girl in. Makes my day.”
“That is some boyfriend, ReeAnn,” I said. Tall and broad and hot as hell, not unlike one Lucas Bakker.
“Girl, you don’t know.” ReeAnn’s eyes were hooded as she watched the man walk away. “It’s new, and I’m still getting used to it.”
“I love a good romance story.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her.
