Page 14 of Hot Zone

We used to do them at her place, but ever since I finished the kitchen, she’d insisted on coming here to cook Thanksgiving dinner. I’d teased her about trying to use my kitchen to guilt her husband, Carlos, into remodeling their kitchen, but he just laughed and told me she just didn’t want to clean up. Personally, I didn’t care why they came here. I just loved having my family in my space.

“I think it’s awesome that you two are still friends.”

“Yeah, she’s the best. But speaking of my kitchen, have you had anything to eat today?”

“Not since breakfast. Ziva and I were just about to order lunch when Steven showed up to tell me about the fire, and I really didn’t feel like eating after that.”

“Understandable, but you’re going to have a few really busy days and a lot of stuff to deal with. You need to keep your strength up. Do you still like grilled cheese sandwiches?” I swear I made more grilled cheese sandwiches for those two boys when they were teens than anyone should be able to eat.

“I haven’t had one in months, but I do still love them.”

“Okay then. The closet and the dresser in that room are both empty, so you go put your stuff away while I make you a sandwich.”

Chapter 5

Mars

It was strange to wake up in Steven’s old room, but it also felt familiar and comforting after the previous day’s events.

I began most of my days with a centering meditation before I did anything else, but this morning, the smell of coffee and bacon was way too tempting. Samuel must have already started his day. I tossed on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt I’d picked up at the store the day before and wandered out to the kitchen.

I’d been so caught up in the events of the day before that I hadn’t taken the time to think about what it would be like to share a space with Samuel, even for a short time, but seeing him there at the kitchen table, with a cup of coffee, a tablet, and wearing a pair of glasses, made me pause. The glasses were new—or at least new to me. I’d never seen him wear them before, and they were sexy as hell. I’d never had a glasses kink before, but it looked like I did now.

He heard me come in, set the tablet down on the table, and, sadly enough, pulled off the glasses and laid them on top.

“Good morning, Mars. I wasn’t sure what time you’d be up.”

“I get up early most days.”

“Well, breakfast is ready if you want some. I made a pot of coffee. I don’t know how you like yours, but I have sugar, artificial sweetener, and cream, so just help yourself to whatever you need. And there’s a plate of bacon and eggs in the oven staying warm for you.”

“That’s amazing, thank you. I don’t usually eat breakfast, but I sure won’t say no. Do you, by any chance, have any honey I could put in my coffee?”

“Sure, I have honey. I’ve never put it in my coffee before, but that’s an interesting idea.”

“Well, I usually get it at a coffee shop downtown. It’s a real fruity-flavored coffee, and they put grapefruit and honey in it.”

“Grapefruit?”

“I know, right? I honestly didn’t expect it to be good, but the barista at Connections wanted me to try it. So I did, and now I’m sold. I don’t put grapefruit in mine at home, though—just honey. I’ll leave the fancy stuff for the professionals.”

“It’s a good thing because I don’t have any grapefruit. What time is Steven supposed to be by?” he asked.

“We just said mid-morning, so I don’t know for sure.”

“Well, if I’m going to go with you, I need something a little firmer than mid-morning so I know how to plan my day.”

“You know you don’t really have to go with us. We can manage.”

“I’m sure you can, but I’m still going. Now, why don’t you have a seat and text Steven to get a time, and I’ll get your food.”

I felt a bit silly letting him wait on me, but since I was only going to be here a few days, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to indulge the fantasy that I had a big, strong, sexy guy waiting on me hand and foot. I took a seat and sent a text to Steven.

Me:So, your dad is going with us to the house. Which means “mid-morning” is not sufficient.

Steven:Of course it’s not. I’m shocked he doesn’t want a full itinerary with bullet points and annotations.

Me:Be nice. He’s giving me a place to stay.

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