Page 44 of Worth the Risk

When I study what I imagine is burned eggs, he peers at me sheepishly. “Sorry. I rarely cook. I usually eat something quick, like cereal, in the morning.” He frowns.

“May I?”

“God, yes. If you’re hoping to date an expert chef, I’m not it.” He laughs, his eyes immediately locking onto my breasts. “How do you expect me to keep my hands to myself when I clearly see you’re not wearing a bra?”

“Guess you need a little self-control.”

He scratches his head and mutters, more to himself than me, “I thought I had control until you came around.”

I love his answer, but I still shoo him away from the stove before cleaning up the mess he made. Once that’s done, I grab ingredients from the refrigerator to make cheese and bacon omelets.

With nothing else to do, Leo sits at the island, observing me.

Finishing the omelets, I place a plate in front of him.

“A beauty who cooks too,” he remarks.

“Thank you. I can make more than breakfast, though. Manda loves to cook, and we’re always in the kitchen. My mother hates to cook, so luckily, I had Manda to teach me.”

“My thanks to Manda, then.”

“I’ll let her know. She’ll be less likely to chase you with knives,” I tease him.

He cringes and jokes, “Yes, tell her. In fact, call her now. My balls need to feel that they’re safe.”

I snicker, and we eat our breakfast in silence. After we clean up, I text Mom to let her know I’m safe and I’ll be home later.

We spend the day swimming, talking, and binging Netflix. As we binge a new series, Leo lays his head on my lap, and I run my fingers through his hair. There’s a peace and closeness between us now that wasn’t there before.

It’s nice spending time with him outside of having amazing sex. Today, we kept our hands to ourselves since I’m sore from last night.

All too soon, it’s dark outside, and I have to get home even though I didn’t want to leave.

Way too early, Leo pulls into my driveway to drop me off. “May I see you again tomorrow?”

I do a mental happy dance, giddy that he wants to spend more time with me, and nod. “Yes, I’m working at the agency tomorrow. I should be home after five.”

“How about I pick you up at six?”

“Works for me.”

Leaning over, he gives me a goodbye kiss I won’t soon forget, and before letting me out, he presses his lips to my forehead. “Now get going before I take you into your room and have my wicked way with you.”

Yes, please.I smile at him as I slip out of his SUV.

Once I reach the door, I spot him watching me and blow him a kiss that he pretends to catch. I head inside and go to the window to peek out of the curtains as he reverses out of our driveway and leaves.

Oh, this man.

“About time you found your way home.” Startled, I shut the curtain and turn around.

Manda and my mother are standing behind me, Mom with a smirk on her face and Manda with furrowed eyebrows.

“Hi,” I squeak out.

Manda gives me a once-over. “Seems someone had an enjoyable night.”

I did. I really did.

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