Page 11 of Sizzling Nights

Theresa entered the kitchen, and the aroma of a freshly showered woman came with her. He nodded to the counter where the place settings were waiting for them.

She grinned. "Does it matter which one I sit at?"

"Nope. Help yourself."

She sat at the one closest to her bedroom, which was what he expected. She was still uncomfortable.

He plated up the remainder of the breakfast foods and carried their plates to the counter.

"Wow, this looks fantastic," she exclaimed.

He chuckled. "Thank you. I hope you enjoy it. I have cream cheese crepes, fresh fruit, bacon, and coffee. Do you like coffee?"

"I do. Yes."

He poured them each a cup of coffee, then sat next to her at the counter. "Dig in please."

She nodded and cut into her crepe and took a bite. The appreciative hum he heard after, made his heart happy. It was his favorite breakfast food, and he was glad she liked it.

8

Theresa dressed for work, brushed her hair, and pulled it back in a braid so she didn't have to wear a hairnet. Slinging her purse over her shoulder, she sauntered out to the living room where Marco stood waiting for her.

He nodded and grinned. "Ready?"

She smiled because it was impossible not to. "Yeah."

"You mind riding together?"

She didn't hesitate. "No." She swallowed. "I don't mind."

He opened the door and waited for her to pass before stepping out and locking his door. As they made their way down the hallway to the stairs, Marco's hand was at the small of her back. She could smell his aftershave. It was the most compelling aroma. Clean and fresh with a hint of fresh-cut wood. She took a deep breath to breathe more of him in.

"Are you nervous?"

"No." Her cheeks burned. Had he figured...

"You took a deep breath. Was it to calm yourself?"

He had. Dammit. "Ah, yes. Today has been a lot."

"It has. You've handled it brilliantly."

"Really? I don't feel like I have."

He chuckled as he leaned forward to open the outside door and she managed a nice deep breath of...Marco.

"Trust me. You have." His voice was deeper than before. Sexier, if that was possible.

He helped her into his vehicle, walked around the front of the truck and all she tried to remember the last time she'd felt taken care of. It had been so damned long. Her last relationship had been six years ago. Even then, she didn't feel taken care of. More like an armpiece or something. She shook her head and intentionally pushed the negative thoughts from her mind. Her friends had told her he was a piece of crap. She thought he was smart and handsome. It took her three months to see he was a turd.

As Marco drove them down Main Street, she noticed he looked closely at the businesses in town. He turned to see her watching him and he grinned. That's when she saw it - he had a dimple in his right cheek. Gads, he had everything she liked in a man.

"I like watching the local businesses decorate their places for Christmas. Every day there's a change. Wait until we get home tonight. From the living room window, we can look down Main Street with all the lights on and see how magical it is."

She cocked her head. He looked for the magic in things like Christmas and even decorations?

"I can't wait to see it."

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