Page 35 of Housebroke

“Maybe someday.”

“Why someday? Why not now?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Afraid to put your dreams out in the world because they might not come true?”

He’d hit the mark on that one. “You know something about that?”

“I might. But it’s okay to talk about them. Talking about them gives them life.”

He had a point. “I like cooking. I think you know that. So there’s a hint of a dream of someday maybe doing something with food.”

He took a sip of coffee. “That’s... vague. Do you mean working as head chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or owning your own place?”

She fiddled with her napkin, then looked up at him. “I don’t know. I just like to cook. I haven’t delved into dreams beyond that.”

“But the idea of something cooking-related appeals, doesn’t it? Being head chef, owning a restaurant, something along those lines?”

It was odd that he seemed to know her inner thoughts, could seem to read her body language in a way that didn’t make her uncomfortable, but instead... warmed her.

“Yes. One is better.”

“Tell me.”

“I want to own a restaurant. But I also want to run a rescue. I can’t do both.”

“Why not?”

“Linc.” She tilted her head to the side. “Both are full-time jobs.”

“You have drive and ambition. You can do anything you set your mind to do, Hazel. Don’t give up on yourself, on your dreams. You can do this. You deserve it, Hazel. You deserve to have everything and anything you want.”

She could only gape at him. No one had ever believed in her or her potential like this. It made her want to believe, too. And that felt good.

Their server arrived with the check, and Linc whipped out his credit card. She was afraid to try and peek at the total, which she was sure was astronomical.

After Linc paid, they got up and left the restaurant. He helped her up into his truck, and they headed back toward the house.

On the drive back he kept giving her quick glances, and when she met his gaze he’d smile. Not a polite smile, but a hot, direct look.

“Feel good?” he asked.

She smiled, and the look she directed at him wasn’t a polite one, either. Instead, she telegraphed her feelings quite directly.

“I feel very good.”

His lips curved, and she couldn’t help but stare at his mouth.

“Yeah, me, too.” His fingers gripped the steering wheel, and she wondered what he was thinking about, while at the same time wishing he was grabbing her right now, all that power and muscle barely restrained as he touched her.

Damn. She didn’t know what to do with that.

Hazel had never been the kind of woman men noticed. Or chased. She’d always wanted to be pursued. That had never happened. She and her ex had dated long term, and they got along fine, so it was assumed they’d get married. Then they had. But it had been more of a comfortable arrangement rather than an all-consuming passion.

She wanted all-consuming passion, to feel zaps of sexual energy whenever a man touched her, to know that he wanted her beyond all reason.

Maybe those longings weren’t realistic, but dammit, she had them.

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