Page 45 of Grace

“She doesn’t get home until late because of her job, and she’s more interested in take-out food, you know? She has a whole system and… and you’re leaving tomorrow,” I say, not exactly sure how to make the ideas connect.

Daniel stands, drawing my gaze, and I notice the smile playing on his lips. He speaks in a teasing tone. “You want me to come to your place so you can cook for me?”

“Yeah, before you have to go away tomorrow for business,” I answer shyly.

“Are you worried I’ll forget you?” he teases.

“No,” I say honestly. “I just want to give you something. You make me feel good, and I know you like my cooking, so… it just seems right.”

Daniel crosses the space between us and hooks his fingers under my chin, tilting my face up until I stare into his eyes. “Idon’t please you to get anything in return, Grace. I enjoy it. I like watching you come for me, getting to taste you, seeing you whimpering and satisfied, all for me. It makes me happy.”

I swallow at his words. “But you’ll still come to dinner, right?”

A low chuckle rumbles in his chest as he glides his thumb over my bottom lip. “Of course I will, darling.” His gaze travels over every inch of my face, and then he shakes his head with a soft smile playing on his lips. “I keep waiting for the moment that you’re not perfect for me, that you’ll stop surprising me.”

What’s he talking about?

He gently presses his lips to the corner of mine. “Instead, you always prove you’re more than I planned for in more ways than I can count.” Another soft kiss, this time to the corner of my jaw, right by my ear. “What time do you want me?”

“Always,” I rasp.

Daniel chuckles softly. “I mean for dinner, sweet Grace.”

“Oh… um… seven?” I guess.

“I’ll be there,” he promises.

The wooden floor of my apartment creaks under my hurried steps. My raging heart never slowed on the way here as my nerves spike higher. I quickly change in my room and start getting everything ready in the kitchen. Lasagna won’t take too long, and I want him to be able to see me cook, just like he talked about. That means it’s not a date, not really. It’s not that serious… right?

But his words keep dancing through my head. He planned to have me like this at some point. He thought I’d disappoint him at some point. What does all that mean? That he didn’t want to like me, or he didn’t expect us to be more than a one-time thing?

If I sleep with him, is that the end of what we’ve been doing or the start of something else? None of it makes any sense!

“Just get everything ready,” I tell myself.

I adjust my flirty little dress, pull on an apron, and look at the time. It’s already six thirty. I text Daniel the address—as if he doesn’t know it—then start cleaning the kitchen and picking up some of the clutter that’s built up over the week.

The last thing I want is for my boss-ex’s dad-crush to see my house a wreck. I shake my head at myself. I’m inviting over someone nearly double my age so I can cook for them just to hopefully hear that I’m a good girl and a good chef.

How did I get here?

But does it matter as long as I’m enjoying it?

I fan myself and shake my head again. I have got to stop overthinking or I’ll mess up dinner. I already have the meat thawing and I’ve triple-checked that I have all the ingredients. All my dishes are washed and put away other than what I need for lasagna.

Everything will be fine.

I start working on garlic bread so we have something to nibble on, but I’m still nervous about this new lasagna recipe. It’s supposed to be a more upscaled version with various types of meat to make the flavors richer.

I start working on the sauce, slicing the carrots, tomatoes, and onions, taking my time since I prefer everything made from scratch. Then my phone buzzes and I see a message from Daniel.

I’m here.

Hurrying to the window, I peek out and notice the black car and the driver stepping out to open the door for Daniel. I take a breath and try to calm my erratic heart. It feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest and I have no idea how to tame it right now.

I run back to my sauce to keep it from burning and take a long drink of ice water to calm my nerves. Seeing Daniel at work is one thing. He’s supposed to be there. He’s my boss and that means he belongs, but in my own home?

It’s a jump, and I’m not sure if it’s the right move to make right now. Mostly because I don’t know what I want from our time together or what he expects. Are we actually going to start dating or is this whole thing a fling that I’m reading into too deeply?

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