Page 28 of The Little Black Rose

“Those are good memories to have.” I pause for a moment, then barrel on, hoping she’ll be receptive to my offer. “You know, I could teach you to use everything in this kitchen, if you want. That way, our kids will have cherished memories ofyouin here, too.”

Her gaze snaps toward me, her eyebrows hiked up. “That sounds really nice, but I’m afraid I might be a lost cause when it comes to cooking.”

“Nonsense,” I say, grinning. “You just need the right teacher.”

The doorbell rings before she can answer, and I wave her off as she goes for her wallet on the counter. I head for the door, paying for the pizza and including a generous tip before carrying the pie back into the kitchen. As soon as I set it on the counter, Ava hip-bumps me aside before flipping open the lid with wide, eager eyes.

Covered in a thick layer of melted cheese and at least three kinds of meat, the pizza looks and smells delicious. Ava grabs a plate and plucks a piece from the box, and long strands of gooey cheese stretch from the edges as grease drips onto the plate.

“Is that healthy for the babies?” I blurt before I can stop myself, then cringe internally at the daggers in her brown eyes.

“If you’re going to be living here, you need to follow the rules. And rule number one is never,ever, try to dictate what I eat.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say sheepishly, realizing I fucked up, then her meaning hits me, and I suck in a sharp breath. “Does that mean…?”

“Yes,” she says, taking a bite from her slice and chewing it with a groan. “I accept your proposal. You can move in as my roommate. I don’t make any promises, though. If we can’t manage to get along, you’ll have to leave. Deal?”

“Deal,” I say, unable to curb my wide smile.

“Welcome home, Roomie,” she says. “And I expect you to hold up your end of the bargain. These babies have given me a massive sweet tooth, so I expect fresh pastries daily.”

“I will deliver, as promised,” I say, pulling a slice of pizza from the pie for myself, dropping it on a plate, and following her to the kitchen table. “You know, I could teach you to make some of your favorite sweets, if you want. You have all the equipment we’d need to make them.”

“Maybe I’ll take you up on that,” she says.

“Well, in the meantime, just tell me what you’re craving and I’ll make sure to deliver. I’ll fulfill your every desire.”

She gasps, her eyes rounding into saucers as her nostrils flare. She drops her gaze to her plate, and I can see color riding high on her cheekbones.

What’s happening here? I blink slowly as my words replay in my mind.I’ll fulfill your every desire.Shit. Does she think I was being coy? That my words were filled with innuendo?

That’s not how I meant them, but she obviously took them that way. And she looked…excited about it.

Fuck. Stop it, Zeke. She has no interest in going there again, and I don’t either.

Do I?

Chapter14

God, Help Me

Ava

Shit. What in the ever-loving fuck was that?

Fucking pregnancy hormones. A perfectly innocent comment about pastries has me panting after Zeke like a bitch in heat. I’ve got to get this under control. Zeke’s moving in, and I can’t spend the next several months in a constant state of need.

There’s no telling what I might do if I can’t manage to tamp it down.

And that’s unacceptable. Our only connections are these babies and our mutual love for Zoey. One night of insanity doesn’t make us compatible as anything more. Sure, the sex was magnificent––

Fuck, don’t think about the sex, Ava. Not right now, when you’re already feeling needy.

No. I’m stronger than this.

But…am I, really?

What if he walks around the house shirtless? What if he comes out of his room for his morning coffee with a hard cock straining against the material of his thin athletic shorts? What if he looks at me with those sleepy hazel eyes and a teasing smile on his lips?

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