Page 50 of I Dated a Retired Hero

Litha got out one pound of beef and one of pork, and then, she returned to the kitchen. It was second nature to thaw them on the walk.

“Why two meats?”

“One for flavour, one for texture.”

He nodded, watched as she browned the meat, and returned to the pantry. She added beans and tomatoes, spices and stock.

“Why the beans?”

“Family tradition.”

He nodded, and when everything was bubbling in harmony, she turned the heat down low and turned to him. “Now, a pastry for me, and then, we check on what is next.”

“You mentioned rubs. You eat; I will assemble.”

“Fine. I will quickly get the ingredients together, and then, I will give you directions.”

“Thank you.”

She whirred around the pantry again and set everything on the counter. The bowl and whisk were there, along with measuring cups. She sat across the counter and began to steer him.

The pastries were pretty good.

* * * *

Sergei smiled as sheslumped to the counter and started to breathe slowly. As the morning had gone on, he had remembered her scent and body against him. She had stayed with him last night.

She had been awake because she was uncomfortable or just not used to sleeping with anyone else in the bed.

He moved around her, lifted her, and walked her to the window seat where another of the endless quilts was waiting. He settled her and pulled the quilt up over her shoulder. She mumbled and pulled the quilt to her jaw.

He got back to the rubs, looked around for a book, and found recipes written in a masculine hand with notes to Litha. He saw the recipe for sauce she had crafted without looking and the chilli that smelled amazing already. With a little bit of flipping, he found the rub recipe he had just finished and found a few more. He looked around and saw a jar to put the rub in, and then, he made a different one with more heat. He marked it carefully. He marked everything carefully. He hadn’t had this much fun in years.

He tried to remember the last time he had enjoyed himself this much and smirked. He knew that she was still around, so he called his mom. She answered, and her eyes were wide, “Sergei? You are well?”

“Yes, Mom. I am well. How do you make buns?”

Calina blinked. “Buns? You are baking now?”

“Yes. The woman who guards my dreams is asleep, so I thought I would help her with baking. I remember that I enjoyed it until Dad caught on. Oh, there is a party at Litha’s place tomorrow. Do you have time to attend?”

“Is Litha another one of your lovers?”

“No, she will be my last lover. I am sated when she touches me but hungry only for her.”

His mother’s glorious blue eyes teared up. “Really?”

“Really. Now, do you want to meet her?”

“Yes. When? How soon? I don’t want to interfere with the party, but I could help bake or something.”

“We are making dumplings in a few hours. If she agrees, may I come get you for that?”

“Yes, please ask her. Where is she now?”

“Sleeping. She guarded me all night against my demons. She’s tired.”

A sleepy voice murmured, “She’s also not deaf. That is your mother?”

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