Page 35 of Craving You

“I’m going to just freshen up a bit before the food gets here,” she told him, taking her bag from his hands and walking to the bathroom. As soon as the door shut, he collapsed onto the corner of the bed. It was great that she was comfortable with him, but he really had to work on his own self-control.

When she stepped out a few minutes later wearing a navy blue robe, her hair was up in a messy bun, and she was smiling serenely. “That bathroom is amazing. That shower could fit four people!” Shaking her head, she added, “Not that I’m looking to test that theory out, but it’s like a spa in there.”

“Maybe after we eat, we can see how well two people fit. What do you say?”

Padding over to him, Hailey wrapped her arms around him. “I think that sounds amazing. But food first.”

As if on cue, there was a knock on the door and Max went to answer it. A server was there with a cloth-covered cart and within minutes, their dinner was set up at the small table by the window. Their entrees looked perfect, and the cheesecake with bowls of strawberries and cream on the side looked beyond decadent. He tipped the server and closed the door behind him. When he turned, Hailey was sitting and waiting for him.

They had ordered sparkling grape juice, and he poured them each a glass before sitting and holding his up. “To us,” he said. “And the amazing day we’re having.”

Nodding, she tapped her glass to his. “To us.”

Dinner was delicious and he had to admit, the more they both relaxed, the better the conversation got. There were so many things they needed to learn about each other—other than how sexually compatible they were—and this intimate dinner was the perfect continuation of what they started earlier today.

“The yoga studio I’m currently working at has been my favorite,” she was telling him. “The owners have mentioned making it a total wellness center—which would have totally worked for me because I could have continued to teach yoga, along with taking on clients to teach nutrition. They’ve put their plans on hold time and time again, but…it doesn’t really matter since I’m leaving. It’s too bad there’s nothing like that here either. I was hoping to present that kind of option here to the resort, but after walking around today, I don’t think it would fit.”

“Why not? I don’t know if they’d require a nutritionist—unless they did it as part of a program for athletes who are training at their facility. Either way, it can’t hurt to pitch the idea to them.”

“It would be a lot easier if there was a place that I could just apply to that already has all the things I do in place. And preferably right in downtown by Books & Beans and Ash’s salon. This whole move is going to be scary enough without the job hunt.”

It was the closest they came to talking about real life, but he didn’t want to ruin the little bubble they were currently in. “It’s going to work out. And you know that you have a huge support network around you.”

“I know, but I don’t want to be a burden on anyone. I enjoy taking care of myself and don’t want to lean on anyone for long.”

“That’s admirable. And it’s exactly how I feel, too. I appreciate Marcus and Billie letting me live in their apartment, but I’d much rather have a place of my own.” He finished the last bite of his steak. “But that’s all a problem for another day.”

Fortunately, she must have realized they were treading into reality territory too.

“What’s your favorite holiday?” she asked.

“Oh, that’s an easy one. Thanksgiving. I am all about the food! My mom used to make the best Thanksgiving meal. She’s been gone a long time, but I’ve never had a dinner like the one she made every year.”

Hailey reached across the table, taking his hand in hers. “I’m so sorry, Max. I can’t even imagine how you feel. Losing a parent has got to be one of the hardest things to experience.”

“She would hate how far apart we drifted for all those years, but I like to think she’s smiling down on us now that we’re all back together.” He took a sip of his drink. “What about you? What’s your favorite holiday?”

“Christmas,” she said without hesitation. “I love to decorate and make my apartment feel like a winter wonderland.” Pausing, she gasped. “This year is going to be so awesome because I’ll be here and there will actually be snow! It will be my first white Christmas!”

He didn’t have the heart to tell her they didn’t always get snow for the holidays.

Hopefully they would this year.

“What do you say, are you ready for dessert?” he asked when she finished talking about all the things she was looking forward to when it snowed.

“I think I am, but…I have one condition.”

That wasn’t what he was expecting.

Leaning forward, her robe gaped open, exposing a tantalizing view of her breasts. “I think we should eat the strawberries and cream in bed.”

Max was instantly on his feet and holding out his hand to her. “Sweetheart, I love the way you think!”

Hailey placed her hand in his, and once she was standing, she held his gaze and undid the sash on her robe.

This girl…

“Dinner was very nice,” she said, her voice taking on a sultry tone. “But I thought that maybe dessert could be sexier. Remember the sundaes we shared that weekend?”

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