Page 14 of Dilectio


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“I’ll help you,” I say, eager to leave the thick sexual tension in the kitchen behind.

As I walk away, I feel the heat of his gaze following me out of the kitchen.

After helping Paige with a few tricky problems, I leave her to finish and head into the kitchen to prepare dinner. The warm, earthy scent of freshly chopped vegetables fills the air as I toss them into a pan with some olive oil. Tonight, I’m preparing a classic Mediterranean dish of grilled eggplant and roasted peppers, accompanied by some creamy feta cheese. I can practically taste the flavors already, and for a moment, my mind is lost in the deliciousness of it all. But then, a deep voice from behind snaps me back to reality.

“Smells good,” Ezra remarks.

I can feel my heart rate increase, and I turn to see him standing in the doorway. His gaze meets mine, and an electric current passes between us. I feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension at the undeniable chemistry that seems to be growing stronger each day.

“Thanks.”

“Quinn,” he says softly, his voice deep and resonant. “I want to apologize if I came across too harsh earlier. I know you’re doing your best with Paige, and I appreciate it.”

“It’s okay. I understand how much you love her.”

He steps closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’ve noticed how dedicated you are to your job, and it means a lot to me.”

My pulse quickens as the distance between us narrows. “Thank you.”

Our conversation hangs in the air, the lingering words heavy with unspoken longing. The room feels smaller, the space between us charged with electric energy threatening to ignite at any moment.

Ezra takes another step closer, our bodies now just inches apart. “Do you know what you are doing to me?” he asks, his voice a low rumble.

My breath catches in my throat as I look up into his eyes — dark and intense with desire. It’s almost too much to take, and before I can stop myself, my lips part for him. His mouth presses against mine in a passionate kiss that sends a jolt of pleasure through my body. His tongue is gentle yet firm as it explores every inch of my mouth.

His touch is intoxicating, and I can feel the wetness pooling in between my legs as we continue to kiss. My breath comes in short gasps as I try to keep up with the force of his kiss.

I can taste the sweetness of him, burning with forbidden desire. Our fingers interlace as his other hand wraps around my waist, pulling me closer until there’s no space between us. I let out a soft moan, overwhelmed by the intensity of what I’m feeling — a powerful sensation threatening to consume me.

My hands dig into his thick hair, and I feel his need for me swell against my belly. We stay in this embrace for what feels like an eternity, the kiss lingering until neither of us can take anymore.

Suddenly, we hear the sound of Paige’s footsteps approaching the kitchen. Our eyes widen in shock, and we break apart just in time to avoid being caught. Ezra straightens his shirt and takes a step back, his eyes still locked on mine, filled with unspoken questions.

Paige enters the kitchen, her eyes bright and curious. “What’s for dinner?” she asks innocently.

Ezra clears his throat and replies, “Quinn’s making a Mediterranean feast.”

I force a smile and nod, trying to regain my composure. “That’s right, grilled eggplant and roasted peppers with feta cheese.”

As I turn back to the kitchen counter, still trembling from the moment’s intensity, I try to steady my breathing and focus on finishing dinner. As the evening wears on, I replay the memory of our kiss, the taste of his lips still lingering on mine. The unaddressed passion between us hangs heavy in the air, and I know that this is only the beginning of our complicated, forbidden connection.

Chains of Expectations

Ezra

Iwakeupwitha start, my heart pounding in my chest as the memory of last night's passionate kiss floods my mind. I can't help but feel a mixture of guilt and excitement as I recall the way Quinn's lips felt against mine. It's more than just an attraction. It's an undeniable connection that I've never felt before. And it scares me.

As I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, I can't help but think about our age gap. I'm thirty-eight, and she's only twenty-three. I know that this could complicate things even further, but the rational part of my brain seems to have taken a backseat to my desire for her.

I let out a deep sigh and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. I need to get my mind off of Quinn, at least for a little while. Today, I have lunch with my brothers, which I’m looking forward to.

The cozy Italian restaurant is filled with the warm aroma of garlic and tomato sauce as I take a seat at our usual table near the window. The soft glow of the hanging lights creates a welcoming atmosphere, and I can't help but feel a sense of comfort in this familiar setting. I order a glass of rich red wine and wait for my brothers to arrive.

Ivan is the first to make an appearance, his signature grin lighting up his face as he approaches the table. "Ezra!" he exclaims, clapping me on the back before sitting down. Dane follows shortly after.

The waiter arrives to take our orders, and we each choose our favorite dishes from the menu.

"You know, I never thought I'd see the day when you, of all people, would be the one to tie the knot again," Ivan teases, raising an eyebrow at Dane.

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