Page 50 of Reckless Curves
Chapter Sixteen
Kendra used her foot to knock on Tom’s door, as her hands were full of food.
She heard Tom approaching and when he opened the door, she sucked in a breath. His jeans rode low on his hips and he was shirtless. “Damn, Kendra. You look amazing. Gorgeous,” he said.
She smiled. “Thank you.” She winked, “I like this look on you but I’m not sure a fancy restaurant would allow shirtless men in—you might cause a riot.”
Tom smiled. “I was just getting changed out of my fancy gear but I can get dressed again?”
“I’m very happy with the look you’re wearing right now.”
“As am I. I wish I hadn’t canceled going out so I could show you off.” Tom noticed that she carried a large reusable grocery bag. “You grabbed some dinner but I’m not sure I’m that hungry?”
“I might have something in here that will tempt you.”
“You tempt me.” Their eyes clashed and sparks flew. “Come on in.” Tom stood back to let her pass.
Kendra kept walking until she found the kitchen and deposited her bag on the table. Turning around, she watched him walk into the kitchen wearing those low riding jeans sitting tantalizingly on his hips. Had they made love only two days ago? His scrumptious body made her hands itch to touch him, but that would have to wait.
“There’s a box in my van,” she said, noting the answering longing in his eyes. “Please, will you get it?”
“Sure. No problem.” He gave her a curious look, but didn’t comment any further before leaving the kitchen again.
Kendra looked around. Although the kitchen was plain and desperately in need of remodeling, it was clean. The black and while linoleum floor was worn in places and the white countertops needed to be replaced. A small, round wooden table and four chairs stood in the center of the room.
Sitting her bag on the counter, Kendra took out a nice white tablecloth, crystal candle holders, and tall red candles. She put the cloth on the table and centered the candle holders on it.
Tom entered the kitchen with the box and sat it on the counter. He looked at the table and smiled. “What are you doing?”
Kendra said, “I’m bringing dinner to you since we’re not going out.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced. “I’m really sorry about that.”
Going to him, Kendra wrapped her arms around his waist and looked into his eyes. “It’s okay. I completely understand. If you don’t feel like dinner, we can simply talk.”
Tom laid a hand alongside her face and ran his thumb over her cheek. “No. It will be nice to watch you cook. Take my mind off things.”
“Well, I can’t say I cooked it.” She rose on tiptoe and gave him a brief kiss. “Okay. Time to eat.”
Tom let her go and watched as she started taking cartons out of the box. The scents of garlic and tomato sauce filled the kitchen and his stomach growled. “What is that? It smells good. Sounds like I’m hungry after all.”
“Me, too.” She opened an aluminum container and he moved closer. “I hope you like chicken parmesan. And we have salads, garlic bread, and cherry cheesecake for dessert.”
“Wow. You thought of everything.” He nudged her aside. “Let me do that before you get something on that pretty dress. You’ll never get the sauce out of it.”
Kendra appreciated his thoughtfulness. “Okay. I’ll fix our salads.”
“Well, you can fix a salad for you, but I’m not into rabbit food,” Tom said, getting plates and dessert dishes out of a cupboard.
Kendra teased thoughtfully. “You should learn from your son.”
Smiling, Tom answered. “I’m glad he likes healthy stuff but it’s just not my thing.” He scooped the dinners onto their plates. “Plus, with going to the gym, I need to carb load.”
Kendra playfully reached over and squeezed his bicep. “I’d say that you’re a very healthy specimen.”
“Thanks,” Tom grinned smugly. He placed the plates on the table and then got a pack of matches out of a drawer. Lighting the candles, he stood back a little. “Looks really pretty.”
“Yes, it does,” Kendra sighed softly.
