Page 46 of Theirs to Take

“Your family sounds very interesting,” she said.

“How about yours?” he asked.

“Well, my mom and stepdad live out west, in Montana, still. It’s originally where I’m from. My mom is the person who pushed me to graduate early and go to college. She was great. She didn’t fight to keep me at home when she knew that I needed a little extra push. I never really knew my father. He took off on my mom and me after I was born and she met my stepdad, Stephen. I’ve always considered him my dad since I don’t remember my own.”

“I’m glad that you had your stepdad,” he said. Evie watched as he finished making the pancake mix and took the bowl from him.

“Thanks,” she said. “If you work on the eggs, I’ll finish the pancakes.” She had the griddle hot and ready for the first batch.

“Deal,” he said, grabbing the eggs from the fridge. “Did you know your grandparents?” he asked.

“Nope,” she said. “My mom’s parents both died before I was born, and we really don’t know much about my father’s parents.”

“That’s kind of sad,” Rod said.

“Yeah, but it’s hard to miss something that you never had,” she insisted.

He shrugged, “I guess.”

She flipped the pancakes and put them onto a plate once they were finished. “How are the eggs coming?” she asked.

“Just about finished,” he said. He was scrambling them over the stove, and she had to admit, a man who could cook was sexy as hell.

“After we eat, would you mind packing so that we can head over to my place? I’d love a change of clothes,” he said.

“Sure,” she agreed. She was actually looking forward to seeing where Rod lived. She knew that he lived in town, in one of the high rises, but that was about it. “I can’t wait to see your place,” she admitted.

“It’s not like Alex’s house,” he said. “I like things a little bit lower key,” he said.

“Well, I think that low-key suits you, Rod,” she said. “Pancakes are ready,” she said, proudly holding up the platter.

“So are the eggs. Let’s eat. The sooner we finish breakfast, the sooner I can show you my place, and then, we can get to the part you’ve been waiting for,” he promised.

“The sex?” she asked.

“Yep—the sex, honey,” he agreed. Honestly, Evie couldn’t wait.

They spent the morning eating and talking over breakfast, getting to each other better—although she liked thinking of it more like speed dating. He helped her clean the dishes and pack, and she had to admit, she was surprised that he was so hands-on. She knew that Rod could have people do all of those things for him, but he pitched in and gave her a hand.

After she was all packed and ready to leave, he loaded her overnight back into his SUV, insisting that she leave her car behind to ride with him. She was going to balk at his idea, but she liked the thought of spending extra time with him. He promised to run her home whenever she wanted and to even take her to work in the morning. Evie wasn’t sure if she liked the idea of everyone seeing them arriving to work together, but he promised it wouldn’t be a big deal.

Once they got to his penthouse, he carried her bags up to his bedroom and dumped them on the sofa. “I’d like for you to stay in my bed—with me,” he said. “But I don’t want to assume that you’ll be all right with that.”

She went up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Thank you for not assuming, but I’d love to sleep in your bed with you, Rodrick.” She wanted to remind him that he had promised that they could have sex once they were at his place, but she didn’t want to seem too pushy. She had already done enough pushing. Hell, she had been begging, but she wanted to try to let things just happen if that was what Rod wanted.

“Good,” he said, pulling her down onto the bed with him. “Because I say we get into my bed right now.”

“Oh,” she breathed. “I’d like that,” she agreed.

“Naked,” he added.

“Naked?” she squeaked. He had already seen her body, but still, it was new for her. She suddenly felt hot all over, and she knew that if she stayed in her clothing, she’d burn up alive with the way that he was touching her.

“I want you naked, honey,” he said.

“Will you be naked too?” she asked.

“Yes,” he whispered into her ear. “I want you, Evie.”

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