Page 75 of A Little Harmless Pleasure

She pushed herself out of bed and grabbed one of Chris’ t-shirts off a chair that sat in the corner. After slipping it over her head, she padded barefoot down the hall and found Chris in front of the stove. Quietly, she stood and watched him, and thought about the first time she saw him cooking. She’d taken a big leap of faith and come to Hawaii. She knew the moment she walked into his kitchen it had been worth the chance. Other men looked good at the beach or working out. Chris looked good at those things too, but when he was cooking, he was in his element. Maybe it was because he was doing something he loved, or he used the same dedicated attention when he cooked as when he made love to her. He was irresistible like this.

He flipped a pan of sautéing vegetables and moved to grab the olive oil. It was then that all that attention moved from the stove to her. And just like the first time she had walked into his kitchen, her whole body lit up like the Friday night fireworks in Waikiki. The smile that moved over his face shot right to her heart. Damn, she would never get used to the love and acceptance he gave her.

“I thought you’d sleep a little longer. You’ve been working too hard,cherie.”

She smiled as she walked to him. “I tried, but then, you started cooking in here. How can I stay in bed with something so delectable simmering in the kitchen?”

She slipped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. His chuckle vibrated against her cheek.

“Is it the food I’m cooking or something else you’re interested in?”

She smiled up at him. “Both. But, at the moment, my stomach is grumbling.”

He laughed, patted her on the butt, and let her go. “I thought I would get us something to eat. Jambalaya.”

“Hmm. I figured from the smell.”

Chris was originally from New Orleans, and it infused all of his cooking. She walked over to grab a couple of bowls, but he stopped her.

“I set the table.”

“Oh, well, I need a drink—”

“I’ll get it.” His voice was abrupt and the shift in mood startled her. He was avoiding eye contact, something not normal for Chris.

She opened her mouth and he sighed.

“Just go sit down.”

Cynthia frowned but did as he asked. She rounded the corner to sit down at the breakfast bar. Chris stopped her.

“In the dining room.” She paused and looked over her shoulder at him. He'd gone back to working with the food at the stove and was muttering something under his breath. Cynthia listened for a second but gave up when she realized that she couldn’t make out what he was saying.

With a sigh and a shrug, she went to the dining room. It was odd because they normally didn't use it but for special occasions or when they had company. She stepped into the room and came to an abrupt halt. Candles covered every available surface bringing a golden glow to the room. The table was set for two. He’d used the good china and an elaborate candelabra she’d never seen before. She shook her head. The man never failed to amaze her.

She approached her chair and found a small, wrapped package on the plate. Her heart leapt into her throat. She glanced over her shoulder and found Chris leaning against the doorjamb watching her with a guarded expression.

“May I?” she asked.

“It's yours.”

She picked up the package and pulled the red ribbon, then slowly took off the wrapping. She opened the box to find a cork from a bottle of Dom Perignon in the box. Confused, she picked it up and set the box down on the table. This time when she looked at him, he was walking toward her.

“What's this from?” she asked.

“Do you remember the night we met?”

She chuckled. “Most parts. I mean I had a lot of champagne...”

She looked down at the cork again. Memories of their first night flashed through her head. Dancing with Max...her confession to Anna...telling Chris she wanted to lick him. It was the beginning of a whole new Cynthia, one she liked much better than her previous self. And it all began with their night together thanks to her overindulgence of champagne. Tears sprang into her eyes.

“I kept it all this time. I packed it away in my suitcase, then I would take it out and look at it before you moved here.”

She looked up at him, but her vision was blurred. She couldn't swallow past the lump in her throat.

“I knew that night you were the one for me.”

She finally swallowed. “You did?”

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