Page 47 of Throne of Secrets

Star grinned. “We are. He’s learning that my uncooked meatballs are off-limits. Are you ever going to show me your office? Is it a secret lair like the Bat Cave?” She glanced past him toward the basement door.

“Any time you want a tour, let me know. There are certain protocols, no cell phones in the area, and things like that, but it’s just an office. Computers, screens, phones.”

“Phones? Like landlines?”

“Believe it or not, some people still use them, but in my case, satellite phones. Phone lines can be tapped and monitored.”

“Can’t cell phones be tapped, too?” She pulled a bunch of freshly washed basil from the fridge and rolled it into a bundle to chiffonade the herb.

“Yep.” Ethan popped the cork on one of the bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon she’d purchased. “But some safety measures have been created to hinder that ability. I use them. No one can access my calls or computer systems.”

“No one? That’s a pretty bold statement.” She glanced over at him. “Getting a bit cocky, aren’t you?”

Ethan poured two glasses of wine and handed her one. “I’m one of three people who can make that claim.” He leaned against the counter and sipped his wine while staring at her.

She stopped and gave him her full attention. “Are you really that good or trying to impress me? You don’t have to reel me in. I’m caught.”

He leaned down and kissed her. “Hook, line, and sinker.” He winked at her and walked over to the counter where she’d built a small charcuterie board for them to snack on while dinner simmered. “This looks amazing.” He took a cracker and cheese and popped it into his mouth. “Tastes good, too,” he said when he finished his snack.

“Thank you.” She smiled and then frowned. “I don’t have any bread to serve with dinner. Well, I mean, I bought some, but during the course of the day, the baguette was murdered.” A chill ran down her spine, and she rubbed her arms. “Bad choice of words. Way bad. Anyway, I smushed the stuffings out of it when I was freaking out in the back of the patrol car.”

Ethan walked over to her and took her in her arms. “Do you want me to go to the deli and ask Mrs. Harvey if she’ll sell me a baguette?”

“We could go together.” She waved at the stovetop. “I can put that in the oven and let it simmer until we get back.”

Ethan glanced at the sauce and meatballs she was cooking in a Dutch oven. “And your wine?”

She smiled, turned out of his arms, and walked over to his cabinet holding his coffee cups. She took an insulated cup that had a top down from the shelf. “Never let it be said I’m not inventive.”

Ethan laughed and watched as she poured both glasses of wine into the silver insulated mug and topped it with the lid. Then, she put the lid on the Dutch oven and put it into the oven, turning the temperature to three twenty-five. “That’ll be good for hours. Shall we?”

Thor was up for the idea, and they all walked down the sidewalk. Ethan held her hand, and she sipped her wine from her coffee cup. Sighing, she leaned against his big body as they walked. “I needed this tonight. Thank you for allowing me to invade your kitchen and evening.”

He dropped her hand and circled her shoulder with his arm. “I’m sorry you had to witness the gutters of humanity today. No one should have to see what you did.”

“I’m afraid I’ll have nightmares for weeks.” She shook her head and took another sip of wine.

“You could sleep with me,” Ethan offered almost casually.

Her head whipped up, and she stopped walking. “Don’t play with me, Ethan. I couldn’t take it today.”

Thor moved over to a patch of grass and got his sniff on. Ethan frowned and looked down at her. “Why would I play with you?” He cupped her cheek. “We’ve known each other for over six months. I’ve wanted to be with you for what seems like an eternity. You’re beautiful and full of life. You laugh, and my entire world lights up. You’re stubborn and independent and everything I didn’t know I wanted in my life. I’ve told you in no uncertain terms I’m interested in you. I have been since you moved in.” He smiled. “Things just kept happening to prevent me from asking you out.”

She rolled her eyes. “You mean,Ikept happening.”

He shrugged. “You, accidents, situations … things.” He smiled. “We don’t have to be intimate, but you can sleep with me, or I’ll stay at your house with you. I’ll sleep above the covers.”

“Why would I want you to stay above the covers?” She shook her head. “I’ve wanted you forever. That sounds bad, doesn’t it? To say that? I mean, it’s okay for a guy to say it, but if a woman admits she wants to be intimate with?—”

Ethan’s lips closed over hers, stifling her rambling. His arm tightened around her, pulling her into his hard body. The feel and smell of the man swamped her senses with a spontaneous combustion of lust and need. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss, sweeping her tongue against his. The sensation of that touch pulsed through her with lightning speed and blazing heat. His hips pushed against her, and the ridge of his desire did absolutely nothing to stifle the out-of-control yearning rampaging through her.

When he pulled away, she swayed into him and dropped her forehead to his chest. “Good God, no blankets, please.”

His chest rumbled with laughter. “I agree.”

“We should probably go home.”

“We should wait for a minute,” Ethan replied.

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