Page 129 of Take My Name
“I can’t believe you made that. Looks so good.” The aroma of the tenderloin and mushroom layer has my stomach growling.
He plates it with roasted green beans and mashed potatoes before setting them on the table with lit candles.
I’m on the verge of an orgasm when I take my first bite.
“You’re never allowed to stop cookin’ for me.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He winks.
I can barely move by the time we finish eating, but it was so worth it.
“I’d offer to help clean up, but you’re gonna have to gimme three to five business days to recover.” I should’ve stopped eating after the first slice he gave me, but it was too good not to have a second.
“I’ll take care of it.” He kisses the top of my head.
“Then I’ll be no better than your siblings you call freeloaders.” I stand, grabbing my empty plate and wine glass.
He chuckles, taking the dishes from me when I meet him at the counter. “I’d much rather cook and clean up for you, so don’t worry. They steal my food like little vultures and then leave a mess before sneakin’ out.”
I laugh, clearing the rest of the table. “They love you, though. They feel safe stealin’ from you ’cause you let ’em without repercussions.”
“So you’re sayin’ I should be meaner?”
“No!” I giggle. “But maybe change where you keep your hideaway key.”
I rinse off the plates and hand them to Warren to load the dishwasher. Then we put the leftovers in the fridge and he pulls out the frozen turtle cake to thaw.
“I’ll be ready to eat that in twenty-four hours.”
He snickers. “Then dance with me while your stomach settles.”
“Okay, but no promises not to throw up.”
“Were you always this dramatic?” he taunts, taking my hand and bringing me to the middle of the living room.
He opens his vinyl record player and puts on jazz. Thefireplace is already crackling, but since he opened a couple windows, it’s the perfect temperature inside. And with the dim lighting, it’s the most romantic I’ve seen this room.
“Probably, but you were too in love with me to notice or care.” The words fall out of my mouth before I can stop them and I wince at saying the L-word on his behalf. “Shit, that came out wrong.”
He pulls me against his chest, wrapping one arm around my waist, and cups my chin with his other hand. His lips meet mine for a tender kiss. “But you’re one hundred percent correct ’cause I’m still deeply in love with you, Maze. Nothing’s gonna change that.”
I rest my palm over his racing heart, tightening my other arm around him, and meet his sincere gaze.
“That’s a relief ’cause you did exactly what you set out to do even though I was hell-bent on provin’ you wrong.”
“And what was that?”
I avert my gaze, biting my lower lip before meeting his soft eyes again. “That you could have me second-guessin’ my decision and remind me what being in love with you felt like. Except you were wrong about one thing…”
His heartfelt smile drops and the skin between his brows creases. “What thing?”
Grinning, I reply, “That it’d take seven days.”
chapter twenty-three
Warren
Maisie’s gazemeets mine and when she says those last words to me, I melt into her. Every inch of my body is covered in goose bumps as I try to control my racing heart. This is all I’ve ever wanted since the moment she left, and I’m scared I’ll wake up and it’ll all have been a dream.
