Page 86 of The Long Game

After Tucker, expertly, might I add, makes us Filet Mignon with garlic butter smashed potatoes, green beans with bacon cooked in truffle oil, and flaky from-the-can biscuits, we settle down on the couch.

I cleaned as he cooked so at the end, we only had to load a couple of dishes in the dishwasher. A technique my mom instilled in us when we all started helping her in the kitchen.

Cooking in the kitchen tonight with him brought up good memories of all of us preparing dinner at my parents whenwe were younger. The days before pro sports and meeting deadlines.

Domesticated Tucker might be the sexiest one of all.

Tucker fills my glass of wine and brings it out to me, along with a slice of cheesecake I didn’t realize he had also bought at the store. He hands me the one plate with one fork… sly move. I’ve smiled at his blatant attempts since the second he walked in my door.

Attempts I hope he keeps up with. But tonight, we have a lot to discuss before we can let the physical take over. We already know how compatible we are in the bedroom.

He asked me to claim him as mine this afternoon and this is the first time that I feel like I truly can.

He said he’s been mine all these years and looking back over our history, the same thing feels true for me. I pushed him away too many time to count but I’ve never felt like I belonged to anyone like I belong to Tucker.

So, how do we manage the day to day? He offered to retire, but I’d never let him do that. I love him too much to do that.

Oh my God!

I love him.

I do though, don’t I? Is it really all that surprising?

He moves to the fireplace and begins his Eagle Scout routine that he swears builds the best fire, and I watch his body as each muscle tightens and flexes while he assembles kindling and logs to create his masterpiece of destruction.

“So, honestly though…can I stay here tonight?” he smiles from the fireplace as he lights the perfectly architected house of fire.

“The cheesecake was a step in the right direction,” I tease with a flirty smile. “Let’s see how the rest of the night goes, shall we? Or you could go stay in that massive house you bought.”

“The things a demolition zone. I could step on a rusty nail. You would want me to die would you?” he jokes as he walks backto the couch and sits as close as he can, brushing his massive thigh against mine. The man is a power house and my body remembers how good it gives.

“Hmmm…” I look him up and down, debating. “…not yet,” I say and then quickly turn my sights to my cheesecake, as if I can’t be bothered with the delectable man sitting right next to me on the couch.

“Not yet? You have plans for me, Lexi? I’d love to hear ‘em,” he says, softly putting his fingers around mine and pulling the fork out of my hand, slicing off a piece a cheesecake from the plate and then slowly licking it off the fork.

“That’s supposed to be my move,” I say.

He laughs and it sounds so good.

“Don’t worry, I’ll let you lick my fork if you want.” He hands the fork back and drapes his arm over the back of the couch behind me.

“How considerate of you.”

Of course, on cue, the universe knows how to screw with me as a large howling wind rattles trash cans and windows outside. A few seconds later, the power goes out causing a small yip out of me.

Tucker places a hand on my thigh to calm me in the dark. Luckily, the fire he built lights up most of the living room and part of the kitchen.

“Do you have flashlights?”

“Yeah, on the top shelf in the pantry,” I say as he gets up in search of them.

“Do you have a fireplace in your bedroom?” He asks as he makes his way to the pantry.

“No, it’s just for show. They closed off the chimney and I’ve been planning to have it opened again but I’ve been a little too preoccupied with someone else’s project.”

I playfully huff.

“Don’t worry. All your efforts on that house will be rewarded,” he smiles. “We’ll have to sleep down here then.”

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