Page 40 of Fire and Ice
White chocolate bread pudding was one of her brothers’ and sisters’ favorite desserts, and she decided to make it for Grady. The family recipe used croissants for the bread, and the sauce was heavenly. She made it ahead of time but would put it in the oven to bake toward the end of dinner.
As she cleaned a few dishes by hand in the sink, she splashed water on her white-washed jean skirt that rode just above her knee. She patted it dry with a towel, then adjusted her three-quarter-sleeved purple blouse that had a plunging neckline. The neckline accented her cleavage without being too immodest, just a little daring. The tile in the kitchen was chilly, so she wore flats just to keep her feet warm. She normally liked to walk around barefoot, but the fall and winter kept her in fuzzy socks or shoes.
Grady liked to text her now and then throughout the day to say he hoped she was having a great day, he was looking forward to their evening, or he just wanted to say hi. She loved hearing from him and knowing that he was thinking about her while she was at work, running errands, or even cleaning the house.
He hadn’t met Anneka and DeAndra, and she didn’t want to introduce him too soon to her family. She had talked to them on the phone since the night they were over for cinnamon rolls, and they had gotten her to admit she’d called Grady and had been on a couple of dates with the red-hot fireman—but she hadn’t mentioned the entire week of dates.
She smiled to herself and glanced at the kitchen clock, her excitement nearly bubbling over. Grady would be here soon.
The doorbell rang just moments before he said he would arrive for dinner. She could never have pretended she wasn’t thrilled, and she had to force herself to walk at a casual pace to the door. She opened it to greet Grady and Spot.
Grady looked amazing as always. Whenever he was near, she drank in the cut of his jaw, his firm lips, and the snug fit of his t-shirt and jeans. He had a sexy good-boy bad-boy look about him. He had one hand behind his back, and she wondered what he had.
“Hey, gorgeous.” He kissed her, then brought his hand from behind his back and presented a large bouquet of roses.
She gasped with pleasure. “They’re so pretty.” The roses were a mix of pink, dark pink, purple, and white, with lavender tips. Together, all four shades made a lovely combination.
“They smell so good.” She felt giddy as she set them aside on the hall table. “As soon as I give Spot a hug, I’ll put these in water—I have the perfect vase.” She tipped her head and met his gaze. “Thank you.”
He kissed her softly. “You’re welcome.” He glanced in the direction of the kitchen. “Where’s the vase? I’ll put them in water while you give Spot that hug.”
She told him where, then dropped to her knees in front of Spot. “Hi, boy.” She petted him, and he darted in for a quick face lick, causing her to laugh. “He sure is good with those sniper kisses, like his master.”
“He’s crazy about you.” Grady chuckled as he ran the water to fill the vase.
“I’m rather fond of him, too,” she said as she petted him. “Spot is my buddy.”
Grady put the flowers into the vase of water. “He’s not the only one who’s crazy about you.”
“Oh, yeah?” She tipped her head to the side, a smile threatening to turn into a wide, happy grin. Her belly fluttered, and she wanted to throw herself against him and hug him all night long.
He set the flowers on the breakfast bar and walked toward her. “Yeah,” he said. “Spot isn’t the only one with a thing for you.” She let Grady take her by her hand and pull her to her feet. He brought her into the circle of his arms. “Something smells good.” He nuzzled her neck.
“It’s the roast.” She sighed as he kissed the curve of her throat. “And homemade bread.”
“I was talking about you.” He audibly inhaled. “You smell delicious.”
“Thank you.” She gripped his shoulders as he brought his mouth to hers and kissed her long and sweet.
“Are you hungry?” She tried to keep her voice steady as she parted from him. “Dinner is ready when you are.”
“I’m starving.” He settled one of his hands on her waist as she turned toward the kitchen, and he walked with her.
“I’m glad you’re hungry.” She looked up at him. “All the better to try my experiments on you. If you’re starving, you probably won’t even notice anything unusual.”
“Notice what?” He braced his forearms on the breakfast bar. “Did you slip anything mysterious into the food?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” She darted a mischievous look at him. “You might like it—if it doesn’t kill you.”
He cocked a brow. “Now you’ve got me intrigued.”
She raised her brows. “Frightened even?”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “Not scared.”
“You will be.” She did her best Yoda impression. “You will be.”
He nearly choked with laughter. “If you’re supposed to be Yoda, some work you must do.”
