Page 23 of A Sweet Mess

“On it.”

He went to his Alfa Romeo and grabbed a bundle of firewood Aubrey had brought. She tugged out a small folding table beside him. After scouting for a spot, she set up the cooking gear on the table for their makeshift kitchen. Meanwhile, Landon rummaged through the rest of the provisions and grocery bags with feigned nonchalance. He couldn’t find the lighter for the campfire.

Her brows drawn together, Aubrey stood from her log as though to help, and Landon’s search grew frantic. He’d rather rub two damp branches all night than ask her for the fucking lighter. His humiliation quota was filled for the day. Then he saw it. The damned thing was hidden between some popcorn and marshmallows. When he straightened with a handheld lighter wearing a Howdy Doody grin, Aubrey doubled over with laughter, pretending to have a coughing fit.

“I could find you a flint and a rock, if you’d prefer,” she said, her voice hoarse.

After glaring at her with as much indignation as he could muster, he bent to light the fire to hide his grin. He was going to get her back for that. Later. He was busy at the moment. Utilizing his common sense, he crumpled up some newspaper and nestled it inside the piled wood and lit it. After a few minutes, the campfire crackled and burned robustly, and he took a moment to congratulate himself.

Time to prepare a dinner for two.

“I could make cassoulet,” he said, digging out chicken and sausage from the cooler.

He rummaged through the grocery bag and grabbed a couple of cans of beans. There was a random carrot, slightly past its prime, half an onion wrapped in plastic, and a bulb of garlic at the bottom of the bag. She must’ve cleaned out her fridge for her time away from home.

Landon washed and trimmed the vegetables next to his makeshift cutting board and then reached for the knife.Let’s hope I remember how to use this thing.It was the first time he’d held a kitchen knife since he’d given up his dream. The outdoor setting somehow made the moment feel less intimidating. Campfire cooking was about having fun. There was no reason to take a trip down memory lane. He didn’t need fanfare for his comeback.

Then he was back. It was where he was meant to be. His hands knew exactly what needed to be done, and he moved without hesitation, grabbing this and throwing in that. When he stopped, a pot of cassoulet was ready to go on the fire. Except for the most important ingredient.

“Aubrey, you said you had red wine, right?”

“Yes.” Her voice was breathy, and her cheeks appeared pink. Wordlessly, she ducked into the tent.

Did he do something wrong?Shit.He hadn’t said a word toher for twenty minutes, lost in his own world. Aubrey returned and handed him a bottle of red. He opened his mouth to apologize for ignoring her, but she spoke first.

“I’m starving,” she said, her eyes roaming his face and then dropping to his hands. Then her gaze jerked up and landed on his mouth.

Oh, God.Did watching him cook turn her on?I should cook something else. Right now.

“For food. I want food. Not other stuff.”

Landon stirred some wine into the pot, pretending not to know what she’d meant. He hoped the falling dusk hid his hard-on and that the moment would pass. But Aubrey stood transfixed, her breath coming in quick puffs, and his gaze slid to her parted lips. They were impossible to ignore when he was famished himself. He craved to taste her.Just one kiss.

“I’d better put the blankets inside for you,” she said with urgency worthy of an alien-invasion announcement. He watched her duck inside the tent with desire twisting his stomach into painful knots. If she’d stayed a second longer, they would’ve been doomed before the first shoot.

7

The sun began its slow descent, blanketing the interior of the tent in its muted twilight. Grateful for the seclusion, Aubrey heaved a deep breath but choked before she could exhale. She’d forgotten to bring in the blankets from Landon’s car.

Crap.She gnawed on her bottom lip and paced the entire four-step length of the tent.

There was no way she was going back out there. That would be equivalent to announcing she was a horny idiot.Hey, I made up the blanket excuse to get away from you, but I was so turned on that I forgot to grab them.

With her hands on her hips, Aubrey surveyed the tent as though all her marbles had spilled inside it. After a few deep breaths, she reached a decision. She hated to do it, but there was no other choice. As her father would say, it was the civilized thing to do. Her skin crawled at the thought of the man, but she had to channel the socialite she was raised to be. Chin held high, she lifted the flaps and glided toward the campfire. Landon straightened from the bubbling pot to watch her approach.

“Do you need some help?” she said.

That’s right.She was going to pretend nothing happened and hide under the comfortable quilt of politeness.What sexual tension?

“No, thanks. It just needs to sit and simmer for a few more minutes.” Landon responded with equal politeness in contrast to the knowing smirk playing around his mouth. “Wine?”

The stars were taking stage in the sky, preparing to steal the night. The crisp mountain air played with the tendrils of her hair and caressed the nape of her neck. One false step and her clothes would melt off. Throwing wine into the mix would be the stupidest thing she could possibly do.

“Sure. Why not?”Yup.She was a dumbass.

Aubrey took tiny, measured sips of wine as Landon stood to ladle the cassoulet into some wide mugs. He handed one to her and settled next to her with the other.

“Be careful. It’s hot.”

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