Page 61 of Not As Advertised

This was a world away from my small studio in the center of the city, surrounded by the constant noise of people moving about the streets.

The driver pulled up to the front door, and I grabbed my overnight bag as I offered my thanks for the ride. By the time I was about to reach for the door handle, Aiden was there, opening it and helping me out of the car.

Had he been waiting for me by the door? My heart warmed with the idea that he might be as eager for this night to begin as I was.

“Hi.” His simple greeting was accompanied by a sweet kiss to my lips.

“Hi,” I echoed when we broke apart. “Your house is amazing.”

“Thank you. It’s still a bit surreal to have all this space to myself, but I’m getting used to it.” Ever the gentleman, he reached for my bag and offered me his other hand. “Let me take you on a tour before we eat. But first, tell me who is on your shirt today?”

“It’s Hello Kitty. Another Japanese cartoon character.”

“I like it. It looks a lot like the one you were wearing on the day we met.”

“Wow. You remember that?” I was truly surprised. “You’re close. That one was Sailor Moon, but both have a cat character.”

“I remember everything about that afternoon.” He squeezed my hand. It was my turn to observe him. Looking at Aiden in the low light of dusk, he was wearing a white button-up shirt rolled at the elbows. Had I ever seen his forearms in the light of daybefore? I knew the feel of his hard muscles around me, but those forearms deserved their own calendar.

Realizing I’d been staring at his arms and chest for entirely too long, I looked down to see he was wearing a pair of worn jeans for the first time since we’d met. I couldn’t wait for him to turn around so I could see how they hugged his firm ass.

He allowed my silent ogling with an indulgent smile.

“Have you looked your fill, sweetheart?” This came out with a small chuckle.

“Hey!” I swatted his arm with my free hand. “It’s not my fault you come out looking like all of that?”

I gestured to his whole body. He pulled me to his side, sliding the arm that was holding my hand around my waist. He dropped his nose into my hair and took a deep breath.

So much for catching that view of his ass. I sighed in disappointment.

“I love the way you smell. I can’t wait to get you inside, where I won’t have to share you with anyone. Let’s go.”

We walked into the house, entering the main foyer. The walls were a light color to highlight the warm wood accents along the ceiling, with matching floorboards. He set my bag down near the base of the stairs.

“This is really nice, Aiden.”

“Let me show you the kitchen, then, so we can get our evening started.”

He led me from the foyer into a wide-open room with windows all along the wall. There were trees that surrounded his yard on this side. Looking out into what must be the side yard, I couldn’t see any sign of the neighbor’s property. The sense of privacy made me feel like we were in our own little world.

Through a large arch in the far wall, what I could see of the kitchen itself was completely modern, with clean lines and stainless steel appliances.

Making our way through the living area and the arch separating the rooms, Aiden moved with practiced ease over to whatever was simmering on the stove.

“You cook too?” This was too much to handle. Was this man bad at anything?

“My sisters and I learned to cook for ourselves pretty early. But we only learned the basics, so I have about five meals that I know how to make.”

“Are we eating chicken and steamed vegetables?” I teased. I’d never seen a sweet pass between Aiden’s lips.

“Brat. I’ll have you know that we’re having pasta. I figured I couldn’t go wrong with that. Now, go sit down.”

Pleased that we were eating in the kitchen rather than what I was sure to be a fancy dining room for twelve, I made my way over to the table, sitting at one of the two place settings. He had put us side by side, which I loved.

“Would you like a drink? Wine?” he asked while dishing up the pasta.

“No, thank you. Just water, please. I tend not to drink very often. It doesn’t really mix well with my medication.”

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