Page 64 of Wandering Souls

“Welcome.”

Taking his hand, she stepped into the doorway and brought their bodies dangerously close together. The sweet scent of strawberries hit his nose. “I don’t do late,” she whispered with a twinkle in her eye.

He remembered back to the last words he spoke to her and felt his cheeks warm with embarrassment. “I didn’t—”

She stopped him with a finger to his lips. “Don’t you dare apologize. I know it was just because you couldn’t wait to see me again.”

Ray tugged her hand to bring her further into the house before closing the door and shutting them away from the rest of the world. “Guilty as charged.”

“Which is partly why I’m so early,” she admitted with a cheeky grin, leaning close enough to kiss but not making contact. The temptation to beat her to the punch almost overwhelmed him. “And I’m also starving. You realize we didn’t actually eat lunch, right?”

There was a container full of uneaten sandwiches to attest to that in the fridge. “I’ll make up for it,” he insisted, sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her body to his. Every one of his senses zeroed in on Abi. “I promise.”

She hummed as she pressed her lips to his. Ray took his time with her, kissing her slowly, allowing their tongues to caress each other to build the heat.Women want romance.Quinn’s advice echoed in his head, unbidden and unanticipated, but apt. It wasn’t like he didn’t know how, it had just been a long time. If anyone deserved romance, it was Abi.

He pulled back, breaking the contact and disappointing himself in the process.

“I was enjoying that,” she protested.

Ray traced a line across her cheekbone to her nose. “If I let that go on, we might end up skipping dinner, too.”

Her eyes narrowed playfully. “Need some sustenance, huh?”

With a nod, he set her back on the floor and took her hand. “Let me give you the grand tour.”

The small three-bedroom house reminded him of the one he grew up in. He remembered feelingat homethe minute he walked in the door and surprised the real estate agent with an instant offer. The yard out back was huge and perfect for dogs and children, and the large two-car shed with attached workshop had seemed perfect for restoring the sportscar—until he realized how unsuited the hotrod was to country living.

“Open-plan kitchen, living, dining,” he explained as they entered the area. “Of course, you know Bruce.” The dog greeted her with eager licks. “This way leads to two smaller bedrooms and an enormous bathroom.” He pointed to a doorway that led from the space. “And through there is the master bedroom.”

She stared up at the high ceilings. “It’s lovely.”

“I could have opted for something more recent, in one of the newer estates, but this has charm and character.”

Her hand squeezed his. “Yes, it does. And the renovated kitchen is a bonus.”

Leading her to it, he showed off the large stainless-steel stove and generous cooktop. “It’s fantastic. Let’s say we put it to use?”

“What did you have in mind?”

He winked. “Well, you did ask me to remind you about an authentic Chinese meal...”

She threw her head back and let out a hearty laugh. “And here I was thinking you were going to cook for me.”

“How about we cook together? I’m willing to learn if you’re willing to teach.”

“Well, then.” She rolled up her sleeves, looking ready to get down to business. “In that case, pay attention, Ray. You’re about to see how they do it in China.”

She happily ordered him around, instructing him to chop vegetables and slice meat, while she put on a pot of water to boil. He watched her prepare the spices, slice the garlic and search his cupboards for a fry pan. When the water boiled, she poured in a cup of rice and gave it a stir.

In her element, she effortlessly whipped together a beef stir-fry with the flair of a master chef. Their rice was ready in ten minutes. He’d expected a long and elaborate affair, but in under half an hour, they were seated at the dining table with steaming bowls of Asian cuisine in front of them.

“You’re bossy,” he teased as he poured them each a glass of chilled water.

She inclined her head. “Apparently that’s a McCafferty thing.”

Yes. Yes, it was, if her father was any indication, but it intrigued him how she came to know it. “Is that so?”

“Like you didn’t know.”

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