Page 17 of Deep in Her Marrow

I purse my lips and give him a scowl on my friend’s behalf, like I didn’t just make fun of her myself. “She’s not that bad.”

He blinks at me a few times. “She lit a paper towel on fire while making a salad.”

I shrug while grimacing. “That was just a series of very unfortunate events. It could’ve happened to anyone.” I lie terribly. There is no way anyone else would’ve managed to do that. She’s worse than a bull in a china shop when it comes to a kitchen.

“Whatever you say, Sprite.” He smirks.

“Anyway, what are we doing here?” I question so my brain stops focusing on his lips. Stupid hormones. There has to be something I can take to get this under control. It can’t be normal. They’re worse than when I was a teenager with my first crush. Absolutely something wrong with me. Definitely need to speak to my psychiatrist about this. Hopefully, she can prescribe something to get these things in hand once again.

“Well, I figured since I have a big kitchen that I don’t use, you could come here and do everything you have to.” He looks so nervous that I might say no or freak. Considering this is me, he’s absolutely worried I might get upset.

I wring my fingers and stop when he looks at them. I place them calmly in my lap. “You want me to cook and bake at your house?” The words come out so slowly, but I can’t help it. My brain isn’t working. It’s gone on vacation and left me to fend for myself.

“I just thought it would make everything easier for you. You won’t have to stress about not being able to do everything.”

“Would you be here too?” I blurt and immediately want to bang my head against something with how rude it sounded. But I’m not sure I could handle being all alone with him in his house and not for the usual reasons something like this would concern me.

His lips twitch again. I really wish he would stop doing that. “I do live here, honey,” he chuckles, “but I can stay in the living room so I don’t get in your way. I’ll make sure you don’t even know I’m here.” Fat chance.

Come on Cadie, think! There has to be some reasonable way to decline this offer without sounding like an ungrateful shrew. This is an extremely generous offer and, it was so sweet of him to think of me and my comfort. But there has to be a way for me to say no without hurting his feelings.

I nibble on my bottom lip. “Oh, well, um, if you don’t cook or bake, then you won’t have any of the equipment and stuff I’ll need.”Yes! Way to go!“Also, since I don’t have a car, I won’t be able to bring everything over to the shop.” Whew, thank you brain for coming back online.

His eyes are dancing, like he knows what I’m trying to do and he finds it funny. “Cadie, you’re currently sitting in a very large truck that can easily bring everything to the shop for you as well as bringing equipment you might need over to my place.” Dammit.

I shake my head. “I couldn’t ask you to do all of that. It would be way too much.” There, problem solved.

He gives me a smug grin that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stick up and not in a good way. I feel like a fish with an eagle circling overheard before it goes for the kill. “I know you would never ask, Sprite, which is why I’m offering.” He holds up his hand effectively cutting me off….rude. “And before you say anything else, I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t you want here. Trust me, I don’t allow most people into my private life. For you though, I’m more than willing to have you here.” He says while he mutters something else under his breath that sounds like forever but, I know damn well I’m hearing things. I probably imagined him saying anything else at all.

“Oooo, okay.” And my brain flew the coop once again. Oh, this is bad, so so bad.

“Come on, let’s bring this stuff inside so you can check out the kitchen and see what else you’ll need.” He says as he opens his door and exits without waiting for me to reply. Not that I actually have anything to say. He countered everything I said with a better argument. Crap on a cracker. I’m doomed!

Ican’thelpbutquietly chuckle as she walks into my kitchen as if she’s trying to avoid land mines. Although truthfully, I’m surprised she’s even gotten this far. When I concocted this plan last night, part of me expected her to say no and flee as fast as she could.

I subtly watch her from the corner of my eye as I place all the perishables in the fridge. I leave everything else out since she’ll need easy access to them anyway. I look over at her standing by my counter and realize I’m going to have to get her a step stool. I had the whole house remodeled when I bought it and, it’s all custom built for someone my size. Her shoulders are barely above the counter top.

I snort without meaning too earning me a nasty look. Not that I mind it. Seeing the fire in her gives me hope. It’s fun seeing the woman she was originally before that piece of shit stole it away. I also have a feeling she’s a hell of a lot more sarcastic than any of us realize. Just the few glimpses I’ve seen have been highly entertaining.

Her big pillowy lips are pursed and she’s watching me through narrowed eyes. “What’s so funny?” She knows damn well what’s funny.

“Nothin’.” I reply like a smart man who wants to live to see tomorrow.

“Uh-huh.” Her tone stating she’s not even a little convinced. Can’t really blame her. I wouldn’t believe that either.

She looks back at the counter and I chuckle some more. “Don’t worry, Sprite, I’ll get a big step stool for you to use. Anyone who isn’t over six feet would have a problem in here. I had everything custom built for me.”

“That makes me feel a little better.” She sniffs. I swear, the woman is cute and sexy at the same time while having no clue at all.

“So, what types of things do you think you’ll need to get all of this done?” I ask while covertly taking out my phone and pressing record.

She starts to walk around before turning to look at me with a blush covering her face. “May I?” So fucking cute.

“Feel free to go through anything you like Cadie. You have free reign of everything.” Including me.

She blinks a few times before shaking her head. She continues to walk around the kitchen opening and closing drawers and cabinets. She looks over at me a few times with a questioning glance but says nothing.

I give her a smile. “I had planned on learning how to cook at some point. Hence having almost everything imaginable.”

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