Page 142 of Kiss Me in the Dark
“Who owns this place?”I ask, my eyes lingering on the calm lake.
“I do.”He grins.“I bought it last year from an older couple who were moving out of the country.It’s my go-to spot when I need some peace.Blaze knows about it, but you’re the only other person I’ve brought here.”
I turn to him, surprised.“You own it?And you’re sharing this with me?”
“You’re special.”His smirk softens, replaced by a look that makes my heart flip.He steps onto the porch and holds the door open for me.“Come on in.Don’t be shy.I’ll even promise to keep my hands to myself.”
I laugh, swatting his arm as I pass him and enter the cabin.The inside is cozy, filled with rustic wooden furniture, an inviting couch, and a large window overlooking the lake.
“This place is amazing,” I say, running my fingers over the smooth surface of the table.“I don’t get why people say silence messes with your head.I’d kill for this kind of solitude.”
Fox surprises me by wrapping his arms around me from behind.His chin rests lightly on my head, and he tilts slightly to kiss my temple.
“Well, we can come here anytime you want,” he murmurs.“Swim in the lake, hang out on the porch… I’ll even cook for you.Though I can’t guarantee you’ll like it.”
I smile, leaning into his warmth.“I’m curious now.I can’t wait to taste your cooking.”
Fox chuckles and presses another kiss to my temple before heading back outside.“Come on.Let’s jump in the lake first.”
“I actually thought you couldn’t cook,” I say, savoring the flavors of the meal Fox prepared.The spicy chicken dish, paired with rice, is a pleasant surprise—rich, flavorful, and slightly addicting.We’re both a little damp from our swim earlier, and Fox is shirtless while I’m wearing one of his oversized white T-shirts.
“I can’t,” he admits with a grin.“This is one of the few things I can make.It’s called Kung Pao Chicken.My mom used to cook it for us all the time.”
“‘Us’?”I ask, curious about his slip.
Fox hesitates, the easygoing look on his face faltering for a moment.“Yeah… my family.”
I can tell he doesn’t want to delve deeper, so I don’t push.“It’s good.I like it.Have you ever been to China?”
He snorts.“No.I’ve lived here my whole life.”
“What about your dad?Where’s he from?”
“Texas,” he says flatly.The way his tone shifts makes it clear the topic of his dad is off-limits.“What about you?”
“Both my parents are American.We moved to Washington when I was little.My mom has some Hispanic heritage, but I don’t know much about it,” I reply with a shrug.
Fox tilts his head, intrigued.“So, do you speak Spanish?”
“Not really.But I understand some—mostly when my mom’s cursing at me.Those words stick.”
He laughs, his eyes crinkling at the corners.“That’s fair.My mom’s the same way with her language, but she never speaks it enough for me to learn.”
“Heritage languages are tricky,” I say, smiling.“Still, you should try to learn someday.”
Fox nods, motioning to my plate.“Are you enjoying the food?”
“Yeah, it’s amazing.A little spicy, but amazing.”
He grins.“I told you—I’m not much of a cook.Between the two of us, you’re the culinary genius.”
I laugh.“Not sure about that.I just helped my mom at her bakery after school.There wasn’t much else going on for me.”
Fox sets his fork down, leaning forward.“Why do you say that?”
“Say what?”
“That nothing interesting ever happened to you,” he clarifies, his expression earnest.
