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“I have decided to do it.”
I knew what she was talking about, and excitement washed over me. But where’s the fun in making it easy for her?
“Do what?” I prodded.
“You’re going to make me spell it out.” She shifted her body in a slow, easy move. “Fine. I will agree to your arrangement. Not because of you but for the girls and also for Jason. I’ll just be buying you time till you find the best mom for the girls. Alright?” A blush crawled up her skin, turning it a fierce pink.
“Zoey, Daddy, we want ice cream,” Rose called out.
Seizing the opportunity, she scurried away. And as she strode away, giving me a great view of her lush behind, I couldn’t help thinking—Zoey Carter was the kind of woman that made a man break his rules.
10
- THE DEED
ZOEY CARTER
It was sundown when we pulled up to the Black's estate. The evening came with red sunsets and grey clouds in the sky, washing the huge house in an orange glow. Rosie and Aurora had drifted off during the drive home, so after pulling up by the door, Adrian and I carried the girls while also herding Jason toward the door.
After tucking the kids in for the night, I trailed to the kitchen to see if I could find anything to snack on. Apparently, I wasn't alone as the kitchen lights were on, and Adrian was bent over the counter, nursing a glass of water.
"Hey. You can't sleep either?"
"Well, yeah. ‘Cause I'm starving." My stomach chose to punctuate my statement by making a guttural growl.
"Come, sit." He pulled me by my hand and made me take a seat at the kitchen table. "Let me say a proper thank you with dinner."
I couldn't hold back a chuckle. "Am I to assume that you can cook?"
"Nope. Don't assume. Let me show you. I don't fancy myself a great cook. Heck, I'm still struggling with making pancakes, but I make a mean stir-fry. Used to make it for my sister, Claire, when we were growing up. Gimme a sec." He walked out of the room and returned with a bottle of sparkling white wine and two wine glasses
"Okay. He means business."
He poured the bubbly liquid into the glass. "I've been saving this for a special occasion, but there hasn't been much to celebrate. Until now."
"What are we celebrating?"
"Our deal," he replied with a wink.
The more I learned about Adrian, the more fascinating I found him to be and the more guilty I felt for keeping his son from him. I knew I was playing a dangerous game, agreeing to his arrangement, but I needed the money. Besides, it wouldn't hurt to have Jason in close contact with his father... and sisters, who adored him to death.
"A penny for your thoughts," he infiltrated my introspective bubble with a snap of his fingers. "Are you that scared that I'll give you food poisoning?" I arched my brow. "You have this gloomy look on your face like you're scared of something."
'Get a grip, Zoey,’ I mentally scolded myself.
"Nah. I'm fine. The only thing I'm scared of is getting addicted to your yummy stir-fry recipe," I joked, swirling the glass and watching the liquid dance. The wine was fruity and delicious.
I watched in awe as he cleaned and chopped veggies, flexing his muscled arms. He turned on the gas stove and added a dash of oil. With the finesse of an artist's stroke, he dumped the veggies into the pan and stirred vigorously. He added an assortment of spices and herbs from the small wooden jars arranged on the top shelf. The sweet smell filled the air, and the sizzling sound it made was music to my ears.
By the time he'd dished the food, I was on my second glass. He pulled out a second chair and took a seat after setting the plates down on the table. I dug into the meal, relishing the burst of flavors. All propriety was lost as I scooped and ate forkfuls of the delicious meal. I was ravenous. I felt his eyes on me and looked up to see him watching me intently. "What?" I asked while still chewing the food.
"I love that you eat so well. You always bother with the kids and me. It's good to see you indulging in something, just for you, for once."
"Thanks," I mumbled.
After we had donethe dishes together, we retired to the living room with a bottle of wine. Adrian sat so close to me that I could feel his body heat. We had been sitting in silence for a while, and I was starting to feel a level of discomfort.
“Thanks for the meal, boss. It was truly delicious,” I said in an attempt to break the uncomfortable silence.
