Page 38 of Assigned

Thank God everything is ironed and I don’t have to add that to the list. Once my tie is in place and my jacket is buttoned, I head back downstairs and into the kitchen to check on the fish. A few more minutes and it will be done.

The front door closes. “Hello. I’m home.”

“Dad, she’s here.”

“Mason, don’t you look cute,” I hear Riley say from the other room.

“Wait until you see my dad.” The pride in his voice spreads a smile on my face.

A moment later Riley walks into the kitchen, takes in me in my suit and the dinner that’s underway with her mouth agape. “What’s going on?”

I walk over to place a kiss on her cheek. “Cooking my wife dinner.”

Her expression is blank for a second, then she giggles. The sound is like music to me. “Really? You didn’t have to do that.”

“Wanted to.” I spin her around and gently push her out of the kitchen, swatting her ass when she takes a step. “Go get ready. Food’s almost done.”

She must be excited, based on the little prance she does. While my wife freshens up, I grab the plates, then add the food to them. “Mason, remember, when you bring these in, do it one at a time. And be careful.”

“I know. I know. The dishes are super expensive. I remember Mommy telling me.” He rolls his eyes the same way that Riley does and somehow that makes my smile even bigger.

After tousling his hair, I grab the bottle of Dr. Hermann from the fridge. The Riesling should go well with the fish. Had it before and it is one of my favorite—semisweet with a hint of pineapple.

Once the bottle is popped open, I fill our glasses. Mason wants to be in charge of the pitcher of water, so the second glass remains empty.

A few minutes later, Riley comes into the dining room wearing some kind of silky coral dress with a neckline that plunges down, leaving an exposed strip of skin that has my mouth watering at the idea of pressing my lips to it. Her blond hair cascades around her shoulders, her blue eyes sparkle, and her skin has a glow to it as if happiness is radiating from her. I know it’s not just her time at the beach making her look that way and the thought of giving her that glow makes me puff out my chest a bit.

And fuck, do I want to forget about dinner and head back upstairs to bury myself deep in her. That’ll make her glow. But Mason is here, and I didn’t cook this dinner to let it spoil on the counter.

I clear my throat and rein my libido back in. “You are breathtaking.”

“Not so bad yourself.” She bites her bottom lip as her gaze roams over me, halting momentarily at the semi-growing bulge between my legs. “Looks like I have an idea about what may be for dessert.”

While her words heat my blood, they also remind me of the fact there was something I forgot. Dessert. Scratching the back of my head, I shoot her a sheepish grin. “Hope it’ll do since anything truly edible isn’t on the menu. Sort of slipped my mind.”

She leans in and bites my earlobe. “It’ll do.”

Sucking in a breath, I lead her over to where she will be sitting before I end up throwing her on the table to make her my main course. Once she is situated, I take a seat myself.

Riley stares at me, a questioning look on her face. “Um, I know you have a plan and all, but... where’s the food?”

No sooner does she finish the sentence when Mason comes in carrying her plate. “Good evening. I will be your server for tonight. Today’s special is... Dad, what is this?”

The corners of my mouth lift into a grin so wide, my teeth must be showing. I can’t help it. My son is the best. He fills my heart with such joy. “Salmon with avocado-and-pineapple salsa.”

He turns back to Riley. “Fish with salsa.”

Riley busts out laughing and takes the plate. “Thank you, sir.”

Mason nods, then runs off into the kitchen, reappearing a few seconds later with my food. Instead of the politeness Riley got, he plops the dish down in front of me, sending some pieces of pineapple bouncing onto the table.

“That will be deducted from your tip, young man.”

He stops mid-stride. “Wait. You were paying me?”

“Yeah, right.” If he were getting paid, that money would go directly to Inara for all the things my son and my best friend have broken of hers. Seriously, Martinez is the worst babysitter. “Now, go back to the kitchen and eat your own dinner.”

“Okay.” Mason turns to Riley. “Do you want some water before I go?”

---