Page 22 of Safe Haven

I turn off the speaker and hand over my cell. “Dinner will be done in a few minutes, but take your time. I’ll keep it warm until you’re finished.”

“Thank you.” Audrey gives me a little smile as she takes my phone and disappears down the hall.

I spend the time while she and Savannah talk finishing up our simple meal. Since I couldn’t do much for a few months, I had plenty of time to learn how to cook. And I’m glad I did. There’s not a doubt in my mind all the meals and treats Savannah fed me made a difference in my recovery. I’m hoping they’ll do the same for Audrey.

When she returns with my phone, I’m plating our food, dishing out a generous portion of one of my childhood favorites for each of us. It’s not fancy or fine dining by anyone’s stretch of the imagination, but goulash—the American version—is hardy and simple to make. Comforting and rich.

Audrey’s eyes widen when I hand over the shallow bowl filled with macaroni noodles, ground beef, diced onions and peppers, and chunks of tomato. “What is this? It looks delicious.”

I angle a brow at her. “You’ve never had goulash?” I thought it was a staple for our generation.

She shakes her head. “Never heard of it, but it looks really yummy.”

Audrey carries her portion out into the living room, and I follow. We ate breakfast separately this morning, so I wolfed mine down at the small dining table, but if she wants to be comfortable while she eats, I’m not going to argue. Savannah and I shared more than a few meals piled on her sofa or mine, watching television while Zeke was out working.

I grab a couple drinks from the fridge and carry them out, sliding both on the coffee table as I settle onto the sofa beside her. Her furniture’s nothing fancy, but it’s pretty freaking comfortable. And when she puts her heels up on the coffee table, I do the same, settling in for a relaxing evening.

After switching on the TV, she peeks my way. “Anything specific you want to watch?”

I had plenty of time to watch anything I wanted while I was down, so I shake my head. “Dealer’s choice.”

I’m rewarded with another sweet smile as she picks a show I’ve never heard of calledThe Night Agent. She starts the series and we dig into our food. I do my best to stay focused on the show—it’s actually right up my alley, with tons of violence and action—but the little sounds of pleasure Audrey makes as she eats are distracting. My attention keeps dragging her way, gaze catching on the way her lips wrap around the spoon as she adds a bite into her mouth. Zeroing in on the way her eyes almost roll back as she chews.

When she licks her lips, I’m forced to adjust my position, hoping to hide my body’s reaction to all her little moans and soft sighs.

Maybe this is a side effect of my injury. Another way my body is coming back online after being out of commission. When I first was able to do cardio again, I couldn’t seem to get enough. I’d run for miles or spend hours on the stepper. It was like I craved that physical release. Maybe this is the same sort of thing.

Because I fucking hated cardio before. Not that I hate sex. I love sex. I just don’t generally crave it unless I’m in a very specific sort of situation. One where I’m borderline obsessed with a woman and she’s borderline obsessed with me. There’s got to befeelings—strong and mutual—for me to fuck. I know it’s not that way for everyone, but that’s how it’s always been for me.

So this little… development? It’s kinda throwing me off.

I let out a sigh of relief when Audrey finishes her meal and slides the empty bowl onto the table.

“That was delicious.” She turns to me, angling her body on the cushions as she tucks both feet up under her butt. “Where did you learn to cook like that?”

“Savannah, actually.” I finish off my own food and stack my bowl under hers. “She and her husband Zeke live right next door to me, and she’s pretty much my best friend, so I’m over there annoying them a lot.”

A sad smile curves Audrey’s lips. “That sounds really nice.” Her head tips, resting against the cushion. “I don’t know any of my neighbors.” She lifts one shoulder and drops it in a shrug. “Outside of that, they’re all about fifty years older than I am.”

“That’s not a bad thing. Probably why it’s so quiet.” It worked against me when I came through her window, but it will definitely help if someone else tries to get in. I’ll hear them coming a mile away.

“It is quiet, but it’s also kind of lonely.” She straightens, eyes staying on my face. “It’s been nice having somebody else around. I’m sure my television was getting real tired of listening to me lecture everyone making stupid decisions on the shows I watch.”

“I’m happy to be of service.” I waggle my brows at her. “How do you feel about cookies?”

Audrey’s eyes widen. “You know how to make cookies too?”

I flash her a grin as I reach for our dirty dishes. “Killing people isn’t my only skill.” I grab the edge of the bottom bowl. “Let me take these into the kitchen and I’ll show you what else I can do.”

I don’t realize the suggestion in my words until Audrey starts to laugh, head tipping back as the light sound spills from her lips. “I’m so glad I’m not the only one who’s said awkward things.” She pulls in a choppy breath as she leans my way, resting her hand in the center of my chest. “When I said I would get you dressed earlier, I wanted to die.”

“Don’t die. That’ll go on my record.” She also shouldn’t die over something like that, because while it might not have been what she meant, it did manage to occupy my mind for a little while.

A lot of while. The whole time I was folding that fucking shirt everyone who walked in the door inspected, I thought about her words. Accidentally might have even imagined Audrey’s soft hands moving over my skin as she peeled away the layers I was wearing.

But in my imagination, she didn’t exactly replace them.

Audrey laughs harder at my teasing about the reason she shouldn’t die. “I definitely don’t want my death to sully your record.” She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. “You’re so funny.” Then, before I realize what’s happening, she leans in and plants her lips right on mine.

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