Page 42 of The Air You Breathe

“I thought I heard someone else,” she said, as she rubbed her eyes looking around the kitchen. “It also smells really good in here.”

“I was listening to music,” I said quickly, feeling my face grow hot. Telling Darcy I liked romance novels wasn’t how I wanted our conversation to go tonight.

She looked at me suspiciously and walked closer. She glanced at my phone and I realized my mistake too late. The audiobook cover was still up. Her eyes widened when she saw what I was listening to, and I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me.

“Dev, you listen to Whitney West?” she asked me, with a smirk.

“Yeah, I like her and a few other romance authors,” I said, trying to remain as confident as I could but I was nervous about what she would say.

“Oh yeah? Let me see who else.” She picked up my phone and looked through my collection of audiobooks. I plated our food, finishing it with a sprinkling of bacon on the top, with more shredded pecorino.

“Wow Dev, that's quite a collection you have there,” she said, placing my phone on the counter. “I do have a few recommendations; Willow Winslet has some fantastic books too. Enzo and Violet are great narrators.”

I nodded my head. “I’ll take all of your recommendations over dinner,” I said, putting the plates of food on the island bar as she pulled her own phone from her pocket.

“Jesus, Dev, did you make this?” she said, with wide eyes, leaving her phone on the counter.

“It's just a simple carbonara,” I said, feeling myself get hot again. Fuck, I’m acting like I hadn’t been near a woman before.

“Wow,” she said, as she sat down at one of the barstools, looking at the food like it was her long-lost lover.

I took out the bottle of white wine I had chilling, opened it and served us each a glass. I didn’t know if she drank but I could always drink hers if she didn’t like it. The way this night was going I was probably going to need it.

“Damn Dev, this looks amazing,” she said, picking up her fork, as I placed the glass in front of her, waiting for me to sit down next to her.

I sat down next to her and grabbed my own fork as we both dug in. An obscene moan came from Darcy, making me look at her. She had her eyes closed looking like she was in heaven.

I wondered if she looked like that when she came.

“Dev, this is fucking delicious. It’s the best carbonara I’ve ever tasted.” She moaned as she took another bite. I noticed I was staring as she licked her lips, making noises that no one should make when they're eating because I was growing hard watching her.

I definitely needed this wine, I downed most of the glass as I went back to the pasta, suffering through her moans and groans. I finished first, getting up to put my plate in the sink and grabbed myself more wine.

“That was amazing, Dev. Thank you so much,” she said, leaning back in the barstool, holding out her glass for more wine.

“You’re welcome,” I said, topping her off.

I set the bottle down before I grabbed her plate to put it in the sink. Looking for Tupperware, I found some and put the rest of the carbonara away in the fridge.

“I’m sorry,” Darcy said, making me glance back at her.

“For what?” I asked, putting away the cheese.

“I was a bitch to you.”

“It’s completely understandable,” I said, shrugging. “You had every right to be mad at your situation.”

“I’m just confused, I feel like I don’t know what the hell is going on and I’m just expected to go along with what everyone is telling me.” She sounded exasperated.

I stopped what I was doing, walking up to her still sitting on the barstool. “It’s a shitty situation that you’ve been put in. I know Evan hasn’t told you much but maybe it is for the best.” The height difference between us was enough that I had to look down at her.

“Are you his son?” Darcy asked and I knew who she was talking about. I had been expecting this question for some time now.

“Yes,” I said, looking away, knowing that when I looked back at her she was going to see me differently. I didn’t expect to feel a hand on my cheek, bringing my gaze back to hers. I didn’t notice anything different at first but then the flicker of sadness bled through.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ask such a personal question.” She placed her other hand on my face. “I just wish I knew more about you.”

“You can ask me anything,” I said, enjoying the feel of her hands cupping my face. She pulled me forward and I didn’t resist as she brought my body in between her legs.

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