Page 69 of Brave Love (Shattered Cove 7)

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Pippa

Pippa stirred the seared shrimp into the pan of creamy garlic sauce and checked over her shoulder. Aspen was busy cutting avocados and taking the pits out. Her tongue darted to the side of her mouth in concentration. Pippa giggled. Mason looked up from the cutting board, catching her gaze.

His mouth quirked into a half grin, and something that looked a lot like happiness shone back in his eyes. “How we doing, chef?”

“Excelente. How are those jalapeños coming along?”

He picked up his wooden cutting board and brought them over to her for inspection. “You tell me.”

She eyed the diced green pepper. “Perfect. We’ll just put one on each of the avocados once we’ve stuffed them with these shrimp.”

“Smells good in here.” He set the wooden board on the counter before peeking into the several pots of simmering seafood deliciousness.

Pippa’s chest puffed out, filled with pride. If she closed her eyes, she could imagine her mother here with her, telling her just how much of the spices to add, or teaching her how to make rice.

“Okay. These are all done. I’m gonna grab the bags of stuff we got and set up the picnic tables in the back. David texted that they are on their way.” Aspen wiped her hands on a towel before she headed to the back door.

“Put the radio on out there,” Mason said before Aspen disappeared out of the kitchen.

The moment she left, the tension in the room thickened.

Mason stepped closer and smirked. “What’s this called again?”

Pippa’s body hummed with his nearness. She bit back a smile. “Aguacate relleno. Stuffed avocado. This is just one way to do it.”

“If they’re anything like that rice dish you made, I may have to keep them in here and not share.” He chuckled.

She swatted his abs. Good lord, those are hard. No doubt from making ample use of the gym in his garage. The image of him shirtless, muscles flexing as sweat trickled down his torso, played in her mind. A flash of heat crept up her neck. It was getting hot in the kitchen. “I promise it will be the best thing you’ve ever tasted. Here, try some.”

Pippa lifted the wooden spoon to her mouth and blew on the sauce before offering it to Mason. He kept his gaze locked on hers as he opened his mouth and brought it to the spoon. She swallowed and set the utensil aside before turning off the gas stove. The dish wasn’t the only thing done in here.

He leaned in, a rough whisper tickling the sensitive skin on her neck. “It’s the second-best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

She shivered, heady with his closeness. Her mouth dropped open before her brows drew together. “What’s better than this?”

She gasped as he moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, and tugging her against him. Her back was to his front as his face dipped to her neck. He inhaled, breathing in her scent before he groaned. His arousal poked the top of her ass.

“You are, Beauty.”

Oh. OH! Her heart raced. Tingles shot through her limbs as her knees wobbled.

“Tell me the ingredients in Spanish.” His voice deepened as he spun her around to face him.

Pippa’s gaze flicked up to his. Two fiery blue orbs focused on her mouth. She cleared her throat.

“Trying to learn a new language?” she teased, attempting to grasp a thread of self-control and not jump this sexy wet dream come to life in his own kitchen while his daughter was right outside the house.

He shook his head. “Just trying to learn you.”

The panties she just so happened to be wearing under her dress were now ruined. Her chest squeezed as another piece of her heart disappeared. How was she not supposed to fall for a man like this?

She should end this now. He wanted friends with benefits, and usually she could do that. But this . . . this was . . . more. She should pull out while she still had most of her heart intact.

“Beauty?”

God, she loved the sweet name he called her. “Hmm?”

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