Page 9 of Taming a Menace
“Not exactly, but I’m tipsy enough to buy it.”
“I’ll take that.” He shrugged.
“You already know my status, but I haven’t asked you about yours. Are you single?”
“I asked for your number remember?”
“That doesn’t mean you’re single. Are you seeing someone?”
“No, ma’am,” he replied, shaking his head.
“Is there a reason a handsome, talented man such as yourself is single? Don’t tell me you’re a player,” I teased.
“I mean, I can’t pretend that I haven’t done my thing in my day. I’ve done my fair share of playing.”
“Noted.”
“There’s always room for funnel cake,” he said, turning and dazzling me with a broad smile.
I don’t know what was sexier, Key or the funnel cake drizzled with berries and chocolate.
“Oh my God! Do you know how much I love funnel cake?”
“I didn’t, but you mentioned theme parks, and it gave me an idea. I was going to make tiramisu.”
“For the record, tiramisu might be one of my favorites.”
“I’ll remember that for next time.”
“You’re not gonna have any?” I asked when he placed it in front of me.
“Nah, I’m hungry for something else. I don’t think more food is going to satisfy me.”
“I feel you.” I nodded before putting my attention on the delectable dessert. I wouldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t at least have a taste while it was still warm and crispy. “Is this blackberry on top?” I asked as I plucked a generous piece of the funnel cake and popped it in my mouth.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“This is delicious, Key. I feel horrible for eating while you’re washing dishes.”
He laughed. “I do this for a living, beautiful. I keep telling you I’m used to watching people eat.”
“Still it feels so weird.” I cringed.
“I get that. Just know that I don’t think I could ever get tired of watching you. Not watching you is the problem.”
“What if I like it?” I asked, emboldened by multiple glasses of scotch.
“I would say that’s good because I can’t take my eyes off you even if I wanted to.”
“What if I want more than your eyes on me?” I questioned.
He didn’t answer immediately, causing me to lower my eyes back to the miniature funnel cake. I tore off another pieceand took my time savoring the berry and chocolate topping. I couldn’t get over how good it was. As I chewed, I lifted my eyes to chance a glance at Key. He was busy drying the dishes that he’d washed and storing everything back in his crate.
“I didn’t know your services included cleaning,” I mentioned, hoping to bring us back to where we were before I offered myself up to a stranger.
“The best kitchen is a clean kitchen. I clean as I cook, but I always do a thorough cleaning after I’m done. My mind won’t let me leave a mess,” he said, looking up after closing the lid on his supplies.
“That’s a good practice.”
