Page 112 of Tarek

As I approach her, she lifts the fork with meat on it for me to taste. I lean down and take it into my mouth. The citrus really did compliment the meal.

“You know I never asked you. Can you cook?”

Penny throws her head back, “I am great at following recipes, but could I throw down like my mom and grandmoms? No.”

I nod, picking up my knife. I examine the blade. Marco sharpened my knives for me earlier.

“What kind of knife is that?” Penny stands at my side. Today she is radiant, her brown skin looks healthy and plump, her eyes are shining.

“This is a chef’s knife. I have a friend in Japan who custom-makes my knives.” I hand it to her to examine.

“This is beautiful. What is it made from?”

“Carbon steel, it’s harder to take care of, but I think it gets the work done better than stainless.”

I slide the knife into its velvet casing. I grab another chef’s knife, and I examine it.

“That looks sharp, like it can cut anything.” Penny presses her chest to my side and blood instantly leaves my head.

I grab a piece of pumpkin out of a small vegetable basket. The knife slices through the pumpkin with ease.

“Wow,” Penny reaches over my hand and takes a plum out of the basket.

“A knife is an extension of a chef ‘s arm,” I say, slicing into the vegetables like I’m at an expo, demonstrating a product.

“Hmm, this is delicious,” Penny moans.

I look down and see plum juice is running down the side Penny’s hand and the corner of her mouth. Whatever I was about to say disappears instantly.

“Look at you, you’re making a mess.” I set my knife down and lean in, licking the remnants of juice from the edge of her lips. She turns to kiss me but I pull away. Penny’s eyebrows creases in confusion.

“I have to clean you up.” I didn’t give her time to think.

I place my hands under her arm, lifting her up to the stainless counter.

Penny braces herself with a hand behind her. “Tarek?”

“Shh, let me clean you up, Treasure.”

I move quickly near the sink grabbing a new cleaning towel.

Penny is looking at me like I have lost my mind. She has no idea.

I saunter to her dabbing the side of her mouth. Her mouth twitches in amusement.

“I think I am clean now,” she says, pushing my hand away.

“Are you though?” I smirk, reaching into the basket and grabbing a handful of blueberries.

“Tarek?”

“Forgive me.” I squeeze my palm, enjoying the dark drips of juice dropping onto her skin. Before she could protest, I lean in and lick a trail of juice right off the curve of her breast.

“Delicious.”

She was a walking temptation. The deep V neck of her dress, the teasing glimpse of her stomach, the way the maxi dress hugs her body like a secret.

“What kind of dress is this?” I ask already knowing I don’t care.

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