Page 26 of All Because I Found You

“That’s about it like you didn’t just name every vegetable in existence.”

“I didn’t.”

“Sometimes I wonder if my sarcasm goes over your head or if you just like being a pain in the ass.”

He looked at her and didn’t say a word, just smiled.

“That’s what I thought. Pain in the ass.”

“I need to get the corn on the grill if it’s going to be ready at the same time as the ribs.”

“Don’t let me stop you.” She stepped aside, letting Ryder out of the gate first.

He came to a stop in front of her and looked down at her. His dark auburn waves fell forward, and his one blue eye locked on hers. Her lips parted, and her body buzzed at the way he towered over her, even in her shoes. His presence dominated, and the intensity in only his one eye made her wonder what it would be like to have both of them focused on her.

“Corn?” he said.

“Huh?”

“Corn.” He nodded to the two pieces in her hand. “I need them.”

“Oh! Duh. Here you go.” She held them out to him, and he took them in his grasp. His finger brushing against hers ever so slightly. She sucked in a breath as electric sparks danced from her finger up her arm.

“Thanks,” he said, then turned away from her, leaving her in the garden with her body still sparking and her mind wondering if a brush of his finger could cause that much of a reaction, what would happen if he actually touched her?

Chapter 9

Ryder needed to get away from her. The closeness was doing things not only to his cock, but to his entire being. He was feeling things he didn’t know he could feel. Emotions he had written off eleven years ago had pushed their way to the surface.

What the hell was she doing to him?

He went into the kitchen and pulled the husks back, making sure not to remove them, then filled a pot with water and added a little salt. He would let the corn soak for ten minutes while he started the grill.

“Are you boiling the corn?” Raelyn asked, coming up behind him and peering over his shoulder. He could feel her heat radiating off of her and clinging to him. Her coconut scent overpowered the simmering ribs and barbeque sauce.

“No.”

Her eyebrows pinched together, which he found much cuter than it probably was. He really needed to get out more. “Then why are they in water?”

“I’m letting them soak, then I’ll put them on the grill.”

“What’s the point of soaking them?” Confusion laced her words as she scratched her temple and her eyes locked on him.

“It makes the corn softer.”

“Huh, I never knew that.”

He shrugged. “It’s something my mom taught me.” The sentence came out so naturally when usually he refrained from ever mentioning his parents.

“Was she a good cook?”

He smiled, remembering all delicious smells that would come out of his childhood kitchen. Mom at the stove in her apron, singing and dancing her way across the kitchen as she added ingredients to the pot. “The best.”

“What was your favorite meal she made?”

“Are we playing twenty questions?”

She stepped away from him, and her gaze darted to the floor. He felt bad for a second when she looked up again, and her smile froze him in place. “Sorry. I’m curious by nature. My mom taught me asking questions is the best way to get to know a person. I guess sometimes I go a little too hard too fast.”

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