Page 31 of Raspberry Cake
“Yes, is that an adjective you would rather not have associated with yourself?”
“I like it, just never thought I’d hear it from a woman.”
“Handsome and very caring too.”
“Keep it coming, kitten.”
She laughed and leaned back, letting him soak her in hot water. “Strong and protective come to mind too. Like yesterday when you stood up for me.”
He massaged the soap into her lower half while she scrubbed her upper body.
“Patient is one I would use to describe you too. Demanding and dominant behind closed doors.”
“Oh, gorgeous Eveline.”
“I like that about you—that you can separate the two. You let me be independent but don’t mind taking charge in private.”
“We can always switch it up if you like,” he offered, pressing a kiss to her inner thigh. “I can make love to you too. I don’t need to be so rough all the time.”
“I prefer it that way—you don’t treat me as some delicate little flower. People always seem to think I’m fragile.”
“I feel comfortable enough to be dominant because I trust that you’ll tell me when I step too far. You know yourself and will express your boundaries.” He sighed and sat back on his heels, placing her feet in his lap. “I want you to know that no matter what happens between us, it willstaybetween us. I know out there, you’re my boss and I’m not about to air all of our dirty laundry.”
“And I promise that I will separate us from our work life. I’m not saying that we can’t show affection or tell people, but I will do my best not to treat you differently from the others and have you stand out because of it.”
“Thank you.”
And with a kiss to her knee, Renley rinsed her legs down and let her watch as he showered himself. He was tall, muscles dancing under his skin. His biceps showed a tan line where his shirt usually ended. Same for his neck, and scars and callouses decorated his arms and hands.
As promised, Renley scoured her kitchen the moment they were dressed—if dressed consisted of nothing more than underwear on his part. As he placed the ingredients for pancakes on the low counter, Eveline pressed the button to raise the surface to his level.
“What the fuck?” he exclaimed, bolting away from the island.
“It makes it easier when I have guests.”
“Fancy.” He glanced around the room. “The counters overhang so you can work on them without hitting your knees, right?”
“Same with the stove. I’m glad you barely notice it. I don’t want this to seem like an accessible house.”
“You designed it all?”
“Yeah, it took a while to research but Jeronimo found ways to make it happen.”
Once the counter and stove were at Renley’s height he started mixing the pancake batter. “When did you renovate it?”
“It was our side project over the past few years. We only finished it six months ago.”
“You worked your magic. I like how it’s just integrated, like no one will question why both the stove and sink are on the island because you just made it part of the overall design.”
“I didn’t want the practicality to overshadow the design itself. You know how… sometimes you walk into a home and the modifications are glaringly obvious? I didn’t want that.”
“You definitely accomplished it.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “What do you want with your pancakes?”
“Chocolate syrup and nothing else.”
“I should’ve known after all those chocolate-covered treats you got yesterday.”
“Did it bother you that I insisted on paying for the food?”
