Page 34 of Forbidden Desires

"Hold the knife like this," he says, adjusting my grip gently. His voice is low and steady, and I can feel the warmth of him against my back as he guides my hands through the motions. "Now, curl your fingers under so you don't lose one."

"I'm not that clumsy," I mutter, slightly mulishly. But soon I'm distracted by the way his breath brushes against my cheek and the feel of his warmth around my back.

Dex snorts again. "I don't know. I seem to recall you tripping over your own feet a few times while we were out yesterday."

I shoot him a mock glare, but he just grins, completely unphased.

"Focus," Pete says, a teasing edge to his tone. "You're doing great."

With his help, I cut the onion into even, precise pieces. When I finish, he steps back, clapping me on the shoulder like a proud teacher. "Perfect. You're a natural."

"Yeah, yeah," I grumble, though I can't help but smile.

Dex wanders over, snagging a piece of my freshly cut onion from the board. Pete smacks his hand away, scolding him. "Hey, we worked hard on that!"

Dex carefully looks at the diced onion, eyeing it from all angles. "Just doing some quality control."

"Quality control, my ass," I mumble, shooting him another glare that only pushes him to smile brighter at us.

His grin draws my laughter from me, and I can't help but enjoy the moment. The two of us are bickering like... well, like a couple.

By the time we sit down to eat, the table is glowing with candlelight. Plates are arranged with care, each dish looking like it belongs in a high-end restaurant.

"This is amazing," I whisper, taking it all in.

Pete pulls out my chair, his hand lingering on my back as I sit. "You helped us with it."

Next, Pete pours three glasses of wine, handing one to me with a smile.

I hesitate, my heart pounding as I grasp for an excuse. “Oh, I… I think I’ll skip it. I have work tomorrow, and I don’t want to risk a headache.”

Dex raises an eyebrow, but he doesn’t push. “Fair enough. More for us.”

The rest of the evening is perfect. We talk and laugh, swapping stories and jokes until my cheeks hurt from smiling.Pete and Dexter are both so attentive, so present, and it’s hard not to let myself imagine what it would be like if this were our everyday life.

As we clear the table, Pete catches my hand, pulling me close. “You having a good time, Suze?”

I nod, my throat tight with emotion. “Yeah. I am.”

“Good,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Because we’re just getting started.”

There’s something in his tone, a promise of more, and it leaves me feeling both hopeful and terrified. But for tonight, I let myself hold onto the hope.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Suzie

My stomach is uncomfortably full after the amazing meal I shared with the two men, and the living room is warm and inviting. The soft glow of the candles Dexter lit cast dancing shadows on the walls. Pete's already in the corner, fiddling with my speaker dock.

Smooth, gentle music hums through the space, wrapping us in a cocoon of comfort. Dexter busies himself in the kitchen, boiling water for tea, and I can't help but watch him as he moves. He's so at ease here, humming under his breath, and it makes my heart twist in a way I don't know how to explain.

I sink into the oversized couch, curling my legs beneath me. Pete joins me, sitting close enough that his thigh presses against mine. "Warm enough?" he asks, his voice low and soothing.

I nod, managing a small smile. "Yeah, this is perfect."

Dex walks in a few minutes later, carrying three mugs. "Chamomile for the lady," he says, placing a mug in my hands, his grin playful. "And coffee for those of us who feel like being up for the rest of the night."

"What do you two plan on doing for the rest of the night?" I tease, though the words feel thinner than I'd like. I take a sip of the tea, its warmth blooming through me, and tuck myself further into the cushions.

---