Page 27 of All Because I Found You

“Meatloaf and mashed potatoes.”

Her big smile slipped, shrinking into an almost shy grin. “Good old comfort food for the win.”

“It’s funny because I’ve had it at restaurants and have even tried to make it myself, but it’s not the same. Sometimes I wonder if it is, but my mind is making it out to be more special than it actually was.” He shook his head at the ridiculous thought. He was an idiot. “Never mind.”

Her hand wrapped around his bicep, and this time, he froze. She lifted her gaze, and when her brown eyes met his, the heartache and misery he had dealt with for so long seemed to fade a little.

“Please,” she said with the slightest twitch at the corner of her lips. “I want to hear more.”

“There’s nothing else to tell,” he snapped.

“Sure there is.” Her voice was sweet and kind, and when he looked at her, he didn’t feel like an idiot. “What kind of mashed potatoes were they? Did she use Idaho, Yukon, white, red?”

“Russets.”

“Not a single one I named, okay. Did she mash them or whip them?”

“Mashed with like two sticks of butter.”

Raelyn’s eyes widened at the admission. “Wow, that’s a lot of butter.”

“We didn’t eat them often, so when she made them, she went all out.”

“Butter does make everything taste better.” She leaned against the counter, pressed her hands ontop and pushed up, planting her butt right on top. Her feet swung out from under her, fluttering back and forth. He loved how comfortable she was with him and how she just did whatever it was she wanted. She didn’t seem to overthink anything, and her easy nature helped calm his own inner anxieties. “What else?”

“There’s not much else to say about mashed potatoes.” He pointed over his shoulder. “I have to go start the grill.”

“Oh sure. I’ll stay here and watch the corn.” She patted her hand against the pot.

“Got to make sure it’s not going to jump out the pot and make a run for it.”

Her lips pressed together, and his eyes followed the movement as they parted ever so slightly, then popped back open.

“Exactly!” she exclaimed.

He laughed as he walked out of the kitchen and out the front door. The vision of her lips closing and popping open, burning a forever image into his mind. He imagined those lips parting just before sliding down his cock, her tongue swiping out and following the movement before focusing on his tip.

The humidity mixed with his heated thoughts, making it impossibly hot. He yanked at the neck of his t-shirt, hoping for some relief. Jesus, he needed to get a grip.

The sun was lower in the sky, but it was still sweltering. The grill was on the side of the house by the garden. He probably should have started it before going in, but he was too focused on putting distance between him and Raelyn. He should have known she wouldn’t have let that go on for more than a few seconds.

Her curiosity paired with anyone else would have driven him insane, but he was enjoying her company. It was nice not to be alone. A strange concept for him, since other than Gene, he’d been alone a lot over the years. It had never bothered him before, but thinking that at some point today Raelyn was going to leave to go to her own home did things to his gut he wasn’t quite ready to acknowledge.

He started the grill, and just like his dad had, he took out the grill brush and gave it a good brush down. Man, he’d kill to grill with Dad one more time. To hear him crack a beer open and laugh as he complained about the Jets losing another game.

Ryder smiled at the memories, giving a glance up. “Here’s hoping they win a few this season.”

“Win what?” Raelyn’s voice drifted across to him.

“Nothing. What’s up? Did the corn take off?”

“Nope, I’ve kept them in line. I just wanted to come and see if you needed any help.”

“No, I’m good.”

“Oh, okay then.”

She seemed almost disappointed, but he was used to doing things himself, and it’s not like it took two people to grill up a couple pieces of corn. It wasn’t rocket science. But maybe she was just trying to be helpful. If there was anything he figured out in the short time he knew Raelyn, it was that she didn’t like to be at ease. She was always doing something, talking to someone, or making plans.

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