Page 48 of Make You Mine

“Hungry?” I ask then, changing the subject.

“Are we hosting a party I wasn’t aware of?” It’s his turn to counter, and for a split second, his eyes lower, taking in the wet fabric clinging to my chest. I watch as he licks those lips, and when his hazel orbs meet mine again, they’re heated. Hungry. Yearning. “And yes, I could eat.”

Instantly, my thighs clench and my panties dampen. My body flushes with heat and desire.

God help me keep my hands to myself. Must not touch, kiss, or lick him.

“That’s a bit dramatic, Elijah,” I force out, and he just raises a brow as my blush deepens. “Fine. You said to have fun, and I went nuts. It’s been a while since I’ve cooked—wanted to—and I made a few of my favorites. Besides...” I wave a hand toward the three desserts already cooling and then at his oven. “It’s just a simple meal. A tiny way to thank you for everything you’ve done.”

“You didn’t have to do?—”

“And you missed the part where I said, Iwantedto.”

“If you’ll let me finish,” he says, mock glare in place. “You’ll know I’m thankful you did. I’m starving, and it smells amazing in here.”

“Good.” With that, I turn once more and open a cabinet nearby. “Do you have a vase?”

“Not a small one, but there might be something we can use.” His deep timbre is an inch or two away from my ear, his front almost touching my back as he reaches overhead to pull out a tall drinking glass. Placing it beside my hand on the marble, he nudges it and then removes himself completely. “That should work.”

“Yeah, it does.” A bit shaky. Breathy. I busy myself by filling the glass and then placing the sunflower inside, making sure that it’s leaning just right. “The food will be ready soon, and I hope you love enchiladas. I made them three ways like my mother did: green, red, and white sauce. Two with chicken and one beef.”

“Love them. What do you need me to do?”

“Can you set the table?”

“Setting tables is my talent.” When I throw him a quizzical look from over my shoulder, he just shrugs. “Somethingmymother made sure I knew how to do. It’s my job at every family function.” Eli grabs what he needs without another word and walks out toward the dining room, leaving me alone to collect myself, calm my breathing, and pull our dinner from the oven.

It’s totally cute that his mother taught him that.

Not helping my situation...

He also gets brownie points for the flower.

I have to resist him.

“Hey, do you need help carrying that in here?” he calls out from the other room, and I almost bang my head on his cabinet. He’s thoughtful, sweet, a bit cocky, and sexy in that unique way only a real man can pull off.

“No, I got it.” Looking down at myself, I realize I’m still in a wet top and rush toward my room. That’s what he does to me; I’m not paying a lick of attention, and that just won’t do. I’m in and out in seconds. With a clean crop top on in a soft shade of grey, I stop at the hall bath to splash a bit of water on my face.

It couldn’t have taken me more than five minutes tops, but when I re-enter the kitchen, the three small trays were gone. So are the sides of rice, beans, guacamole, and pico de gallo. I also hear the clang of a serving spoon as he scoops up a portion and I follow, entering his dining area and finding an intimate setting for two.

Our food is served, my glass is filled with wine, and his handsome face stands behind a chair pulled out for me to sit. God help me, it’s too much. After everything he’s done for me, the surprise and being so damn understanding, I give in.

All of me wants this.

I’m not strong, and before I talk myself out of it, I walk straight toward him and press my lips to his.

All. His. Fault.

17

AVA

Immediately, he stiffens, but I don’t pull back. No, I stand firm, holding onto his shirt as I take a small nibble of his bottom lip. And it’s that bite, that hint of pain, that snaps him out of his rigidness. Elijah Ford kisses me back, overtaking my senses as he growls low at the back of his throat, his tongue sliding against my lip, demanding entrance.

An entrance that I grant without hesitation.

This kiss is everything; it’s passionate and bordering on desperation with just the right hint of sweetness I’ll never find with anyone else. Elijah's kiss is possessive, fully overwhelming my senses as our tongues intertwine and explore. His large, strong hands cup the back of my neck, thumbs tilting my head to the angle he prefers. He controls this. Me.

---