Page 88 of Stolen Bases

I place my hands on her hips as she sways, dizzy from our kiss. “Are you hungry?”

Talia’s stomach growls, answering for her. She blushes a sexy shade of pink. “I can’t say no now, can I?”

“Nope. Come on.” Hand on the small of her back, I guide her outside through the right pocket door, where I have the table set under the upstairs deck. I pull out the chair for her to sit.

“Such a gentleman.”

“For now,” I whisper in her ear.

She shivers at the contact.

“I’ll be right back.” Returning to the table with two plates filled with enchiladas, I place one in front of her and one beside her for me. “I hope you like Mexican. I got the recipe from my sister-in-law.”

“It smells incredible. You made this?” She twists the plate, an awestruck smile on her lips.

“Don’t look so shocked, itty bitty. I know how to cook.”

“See? Full of surprises.”

“I thought you hated surprises.”

“Hmm. I guess when the surprises come from you, I don’t hate them as much.”

My chest puffs with pride.Totally worth all the time to fill and roll each tortilla.

I take a bite. The savory sauce bursts on my tongue in a cascade of flavor; onion, cumin, garlic, cilantro, poblano pepper, and tomatillo mix in delicious unison.

We dig into our meals, catching up. Talia moans around a bite, and the sound calls to my dick. The bastard stirs to life as I watch her eat the food I made her.

“These are so good. You did an amazing job, Cam.”

I grunt, adjusting my half-erect cock. She’s so fucking sexy. How the hell am I going to make it through the night without bending her over and eating her instead?

I reach for a bottle of water chilling in the champagne bucket and hand it to her. “Is water, okay? I can get you wine instead.”

“No, water is perfect. I have late shifts for the next two nights, so I can have Friday off. For the Evaders’ family picnic.” She takes the water from my hand, avoiding eye contact.

“I’m glad you’re going. I wanted to ask, but…” I didn’t want to sound desperate. The last thing I want is to push Talia too hard, too fast. We need time.

“Is it going to be weird?” she asks, pushing the last of her food around the plate.

“Why would it be weird?”

“Because I have to act like I don’t know you.”

“I didn’t think about it like that.” Uncapping my water, I take a few gulps, gathering my thoughts. “I hate that we have to pretend, but I want you there. At least I’ll get to see you, even if I can’t touch you. Plus, you’ll get to meet my nephew.”

“Youwant me to meet Rhys?”

No, I want her to meet my entire family, but I know that’s not possible right now.

Soon.

Being in uncharted waters with Talia is a little scary. Rylann was right. Being vulnerable is scary as fuck, but I don’t think I would take the chance if it wasn’t Talia.

It sounds so lame, but she’s extraordinary. She has this magnetism about her that attracts me to her. I want to know everything about her. I want to spend every available minute I have with her.

“Of course I do.” I turn her chair to the side and lift her chin, forcing her to look me in the eye. “I know we have to keep us a secret. For now. But we’ll get there. One base at a time.”

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