Page 22 of Do Me
He lifted a brow, but was smiling. “That good?”
“So much better than good. This ismelt-in-your-mouth, slap-your-mama good!” She leaned forward for emphasis. “You can cook for me forever.” She gasped softly.What the hell did I just say?
* * *
Braxton couldn’t stop staring at Londyn. And he couldn’t stop his thoughts from wondering “what if.” She hadn’t said a word since she’d made the statement and did her best not to look at him. He had been enjoying their camaraderie and didn’t want it to end with her being uncomfortable. Placing his fork on his plate, he rounded the table and hunkered down next to her. “Look at me, Londyn.”
Her head slowly came up. “I don’t want you to think I’m trying to suggest anything because—”
He silenced her with a kiss. “The thought never crossed my mind.” Somehow, when she’d said it, the words didn’t hit him the way they had with Taryn, who only took, but never gave. Londyn had given him more in three weeks than all of the women in his past combined. “I tell you what, if things don’t work out with us, I’ll still cook for you every now and again if you promise more of those brownies and that ice cream.”
Londyn gave him the smile he’d come to look for and said, “It’s a deal.”
“Can we go back to having fun now? I thought we were having a good time.”
She caressed his cheek, then leaned down and touched her mouth to his. “We were having the best time.”
The feel of her soft lips on his almost made his control slip and he thought it best that he return to his side of the table and grabbed his drink. Instead of a sip, he gulped down a good portion of it, hoping it would cool his arousal.
She picked up her glass. “By the way, this is really good. The deep purple is my favorite color.” She took a sip and resumed eating. Minutes passed before she spoke again. “Okay, I need you to tell me what you did to this steak.”
“Seasoned it and threw it on the grill.”
Londyn narrowed her eyes. “So that’s how you want to play it, huh? Well, me and mywarmpeach cobbler anddeliciousice cream can just go home.”
The sparkle was back in her eyes and her playfulness had returned. “That’s playing dirty, doc.”
“No dirtier than you, Mr. Harper.”
Braxton held up his hands in surrender. “You win. There’s no way I’m letting you leave without sampling your dessert.” She smothered a giggle and he realized what he’d said. “Your peach cobbler and ice cream,” he clarified. Though samplingherwas never far from his mind. And every time he thought about what happened earlier, it made him hard. He was damn nearfortyand believed he had good control of his sexual urges, but Londyn proved him wrong each and every time they were together. She might be physically ready, but those fleeting moments of uncertainty he saw in her eyes told him, emotionally, she hadn’t quite gotten there. At some point, he knew the attraction building between them would reach a boiling point. He only hoped when it did, they’d both be on the same page. He glanced up to find her staring at him expectantly. He’d been so lost in his thoughts, he almost forgot what she asked. “It all starts with a good cut of meat. If you’re shopping in the grocery store, I’d go for the USDA Choice grade. It’ll have more marbling, which will result in a more tender andjuicysteak.”
“Is that what this is?”
“No. This is prime grade, what you usually find in the more expensive restaurants or hotels.”
“You went out of your way to do this, didn’t you? Because I don’t ever recall seeing that grade of meat in a regular grocery store.”
Braxton didn’t think of it as going out of his way. When he liked a woman—and he liked Londyn a lot—he tried to show her in whatever ways he could. “I wanted you to have a good steak.”
Londyn grasped his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “And you did. It was the best steak I’ve ever had, restaurants, included. I just hope my peach cobbler doesn’t bring the meal down.”
“If it’s as good as your brownies, it can only enhance the meal. As soon as my food settles, it’s gonna be me, a big piece of cobbler and as much of that ice cream I can fit in my bowl.” They cleared the table together, then he led her into the family room to relax. He brought her close to him on the sofa and draped an arm around her shoulders.
She sighed. “I’m so full right now, I could fall asleep.” She rested her head against his shoulder.
“You can stretch out if you like.”
“I’m fine right here.”
So was he. “Do you want to watch TV?”
“Mmm, no. The music is nice,” she murmured.
Braxton leaned back and closed his eyes. They didn’t talk. He didn’t need to say anything, content with listening to the wail of the saxophone and being with her. He couldn’t recall when he’d last enjoyed a woman so much. Typically, he had a tendency to be more on the serious side, unless he was around his immediate family and his two friends. But he’d bantered and joked with Londyn as easily as if he’d done it all his life. He didn’t know how much time had passed when she called his name softly.
“Braxton?”
“What is it?”
