Page 13 of Stars At Dusk

She glanced at him and saw a tiny smile playing on his lips.

‘The beer is working then. Less snappy, more happy?’

‘Getting there.’

He rubbed one hand behind his neck and rolled his head around his shoulders. Evidently tired but more relaxed. His eyes flicked back to her and caught her staring at him. He gave her a half smile that shot straight into her core. She dragged her gaze away and back to her meal prep.

‘Truce?’ he drawled presently.

‘Truce.’

A loaded silence fell between them as she worked in the kitchen.

‘You know you didn’t have to do this,’ Kage said. ‘I didn’t expect you to cook for me. I could have run down the street for something.’

‘And waste all this fresh produce I bought this morning? No, thank you, soldier.’

Kage watched her from afar until she saw him ease out of the armchair and prowl towards the kitchen, unable to resist the enticing smells any longer.

She saw his eyes track her movements as she flipped the two wagyu steaks on the skillet. He watched her with hands folded over his giant suit. She tried to ignore his close presence and the energy emanating from him, focusing instead on the food.

When the steaks were beautifully caramelised, she eased them onto a platter to rest. Next, she buttered the bread buns and threw them on the skillet to toast, where they soaked up the rich beefy flavours and juices left on the pan.

Finally, she assembled the sandwich, placing the beautiful, succulent meat on the bread, adding fresh greens, tomato, onions, brie cheese, bacon, a dollop of fig jam and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

She threw together a quick tossed salad and added this to the platter, which she presented to him with a wave of her hand.

She saw his eyes water with need.

‘Damn Harlow,’ he muttered. ‘This looks incredible.’

‘Eat,’ she urged. ‘While I pack.’

That was when he did the unexpected. He leaned in over the counter and platter and kissed her cheek. Brushed it with his lips. Inundated her with his scent. Spice, musk, man.

‘Sante,’ he murmured. ‘That’s thank you in Kwavi.’

Harlow felt a kick to her plexus. She grabbed hold of the counter-top and steadied herself.

What in the actual? How could gratitude for a sandwich sound and feel so sensual?

She couldn’t meet his lucent gaze, so she tore from the kitchen.

And ran into her beautifully appointed bedroom. Where she escaped even further into her bathroom. There, she closed the door and leaned on it, breathing hard.

Never before had a man affected her this much, this quickly.

Never had she made a meal for a man in this house. She’d always eaten out on her dates. Meals were very intimate for her. She only shared them with her few close and trusted friends.

Now here she was, cooking for a man? A stranger she’d barely met an hour earlier?What had she been thinking?

Then that kiss. Even though it’d been chaste, it had set her body on fire.

She needed to watch herself around Shadow. Kage. Heart Cranker. Whatever.

After all, hadn’t she just promised to keep clear of anything vaguely manlike for the next 12 months?

She snagged a sharp breath and took back control.

---