Page 57 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

I hand him the fresh basil leaves, and he tears them into the pot.

Nina smiles fondly. “You know, when you were little, you used to sit on the counter and help Corey cook.”

“I remember,” I reply, glancing at her.

Her smile beams. “I loved those times.”

Corey chuckles. “You were quite the little chef. Always eager to learn.”

Eager to please.

Nina’s eyes follow my movements as I chop some garlic. “You still have that enthusiasm,” she comments, her voice warm.

I feel a blush creep up my cheeks. “Cooking is one of the few things that ground me,” I admit, focusing on the task at hand.

Corey nods. “It’s therapeutic.”

That’s when Kai comes in, peering into the kitchen. “Smells amazing. What’s on the menu?”

“Lemon and herbs halibut,” Corey answers, giving the sauce a final stir before turning off the heat. “Marianne’s favorite.”

Kai’s gaze shifts to me. “You like to cook?”

Being at ease makes me stupid. “I like to eat.”Oh, dear.

Nina giggles at my unfiltered answer, and Corey snorts. I didn’t mean dick. Is that what they’re all thinking? I don’t fancy oral sex. But saying it out loud will only make their reactions worse.

The sizzle of the pan echoes in the kitchen, mixing with laughter.

Kai steps closer, a curious gleam in his eye. “Let me help,” he offers, reaching for a spare knife on the counter and swirling it between his fingers.

Corey smirks. “Nope, that’s a Marianne and me thing. We’ve got it covered.”

Kai shrugs, taking a seat on a stool near Nina. “All right, then, I’ll just supervise.”

Nina gives him a playful nudge. “You mean drooling over the counter while Marianne cooks for you?”

Girl, what?

“Guilty as charged,” he whispers.

“Typical…” my aunt teases him.

Corey hands me a spoon, and we share a knowing smile. “Taste this.”

I dip the spoon into the pot and take a cautious sip. The combination of lemon and dill dances on my tongue, vibrant and full of life.

And. I. Moan.

Kai’s eyelids droop, his lips pressing into a thin line.

Corey gives an approving nod, then shifts his gaze to Nina. “She’s still doing it.”

My aunt sighs. “She does.”

Kai leans forward, his eyes locked with mine. “You moan every time you taste something good,” he says, his voice low.

Nina goes off into a fit of giggles while I blink, and Corey shakes his head.

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