Page 55 of Beautiful Thing

Her face scrunches up with a poorly suppressed smile as she grabs the shopping bag, scampering down the hall on her tiptoes.

While she’s gone, I reach into the cupboard for a tall mason jar. I half-fill it with water and stuff the flowers into it, doing my best to make the bouquet look decent.

A minute later, Layla is back in the kitchen, wearing her new necklace and modeling that pretty little dress for me. It’s short and colorful, showing off her creamy thighs, accentuating her sexy shoulders and her collarbones. She looks so fucking divine, I want to drop to my knees and worship her.

Instead, I collapse against the counter and curl my fingers around the butcher’s block, just to keep from touching her. “You look incredible, by the way.”

“You mean that?” she asks, peeking shyly from under her thick lashes.

“I mean it, Belle.” Staring at her, I can barely breathe.

But I watch as she begins to doubt herself. “In all seriousness—I don’tneedthe dress,” she says earnestly. “Maybe you could return it. It’s way too expensive. Plus, in this weather—”

“But do you like it?” I cut her off, not caring that I’m being rude.You don’t ask for too much, Layla. As far as I’m concerned, you don’t ask for enough.

She pauses. Then she gives a slow, guilty nod. “I really do,” she admits in a whisper.

I can hardly resist the urge to run a knuckle down her red-stained cheek. “Then, it’s yours.” I smirk. “Now, say ‘thank you’.”

She snorts. “Thank you.”

My gaze moves up and down her body, appreciating every inch of her. My cock starts to grow heavy. I force my eyes away so I don’t scare her off with the way I’m staring. I glance around the kitchen.

“Now, tell me—what smells so damn good?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Hungry?”

“Starved.” Preferably, I’d like to feast on her curvy body all night. But I’d settle for whatever it is that’s making this house smell so amazing right now.

Layla quickly spins away from me. Then she fills up a bowl from a pot on the stove, and turns to face me.

I peek into the bowl in her hands, finding my favorite stew. Then I notice my favorite bread sitting on the island.

I inhale deeply and my stomach growls. Both smell freaking amazing and I feel pretty damn special.

I blink in surprise.Well, shit.How did she even know?

“Wow. Is this my lucky day or what?”

She laughs, eyes hesitant as she sets the meal down on the tabletop. “How about we wait till you’ve tasted it? Then we’ll decide if it’s your lucky day.”

“I’m sure it’ll be delicious.” I immediately march over to wash my hands, and then we sit down to eat—just the two of us.

Picking up my spoon, I take my first bite and moan out loud.

Layla beams, her eyes lighting up. “You like?”

I close my eyes and moan again while I finish swallowing my second bite. “Damn. It’s excellent, Belle.”

“Good.” Her smile only widens. “Your mother gave me full step-by-step instructions on how to make the stew. And she saidsourdough was your favorite. I’d love to claim the credit for making that, too, but we picked up a loaf at the farmer’s market.”

“Well, it’s delicious. You made my whole night.”

I glance at her across the table, sitting there, looking happy and gorgeous in her new dress. Only the stove light illuminates the kitchen, emanating a warm orange glow across her skin. It sets an intimate mood.

“And by the way, I’m sorry that my mom ambushed and kidnapped you at lunch time. I hope she wasn’t too overbearing.”

Layla’s already shaking her head before I stop talking. “No. No, it was fun. I love your mom. Except that…well, I don’t know if she’s buying our relationship.”

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