“I just wish I could to the same for him.”
“You think you don’t take care of him, that he doesn’t need you? If that were true, why was he so desperate to get you back?”
Susan had a good point. “I know he loves me.”
“But?”
Riley’s heart pounded. Why was there a “but”? “It’s not easy.”
“I don’t think love is ever easy.”
“Am I too stubborn?”
“You’d have to be somewhat stubborn or things with Thorne wouldn’t work, at least from what you’ve told me. Just don’t forget he needs you too.”
Riley kissed her cheek. “Thanks. I’ll try.”
“We can get a loan if we’re ready to open our own place. We don’t have to rely on Thorne.”
“But it would be a lot easier if Thorne gave us the money.”
Susan nodded. “Sure it would, but what matters a lot more than that is that you are comfortable, that what we’re doing is what you want.”
“I don’t want to hold you back.”
Susan narrowed her eyes. “Riley Dashwood, if I’d wanted to own a business on my own, I could have done it years ago. I want to work with you. Another year of staying small and building up references isn’t going to matter. Go to class for a few more weeks, do this gala with me, and then decide what you want.”
“Okay. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Do that.”
Riley walked to the train. Why was figuring out what he wanted so difficult?
CHAPTER EIGHT
Thorne was checking out a few sailboat models online when he heard the lock clunk signaling that Riley was home. The door whooshed open, and Riley stepped inside, his shoulders slumped and his eyes half-closed.
“You look exhausted.”
“I am. Five classes today, two in the kitchen. Then Susan and I had to work out our menu.”
Thorne hugged him. “I ordered Thai. Yours is in the oven to keep warm.”
“Thanks. Are you working?”
Thorne shook his head. “I should be, but…”
Riley glanced at the computer screen. “You’re looking at boats.”
“These are brand new models, made for this season. I got the newsletter and couldn’t resist checking them out. You want to go see one this weekend?”
“Isn’t it too cold for sailing?”
“Maybe, but if I buy now, then as soon as it gets warm, we’re ready to go. You want coffee?”
Riley nodded. “Yeah. You’re so cute when you can’t wait to get what you want.”
“I’m ready to have you on a boat again.”
“To have me?”
“Yes.” Thorne smiled as he handed Riley a full mug. Riley didn’t look quite so tired anymore.
“So sailing isn’t really the motive here?”
“No reason why a boat can’t provide us lots of benefits.”
Riley took a sip of coffee. “No, there’s not, is there? Sit with me while I eat?”
“Sure,” Thorne answered. “I want you to tell me all about your menu planning.”
“Kathryn will send it to you. She’ll have it soon.”
“But I want you to describe it. You know your food talk is like touching me with words.”
Riley shook his head. “I really do have to do homework tonight.”
“All I asked was that you talk to me while you eat dinner.”
“You want me to word-fuck you. That implies something more physical afterward.”
Thorne smiled. “Well…”
“Part of my homework involves cooking. What if I let you watch?”
“Mmm. I do love to watch.”
“I’ll even wear an apron, but while I’m working it’s look-don’t-touch.”
By the time Riley finished talking about beef Wellington puffs, mini tarts, and sinfully good cupcakes, Thorne was ready to drag him to the bedroom for a good, long fuck. But he was willing to settle for watching Riley cook, probably now his second favorite thing and one he’d been missing for the last several weeks. Most evenings Riley shooed him out of the kitchen because he was too much of a distraction when Riley was practicing a technique or doing an assignment.
Thorne kept his seat at the kitchen bar as Riley put his plate in the dishwasher and grabbed his apron from the closet that was now a proper pantry thanks to Riley’s efforts. Thorne had previously used it to store his exercise equipment, but Riley had convinced him that no house should lack a selection of spices and basic staples to whip up a good meal.
Thorne loved when Riley got preachy about food. It was almost as sexy as the way he looked in his bright-red apron and nothing else.
“Tell me what you’re making.”
Riley didn’t respond until he’d gathered a bunch of ingredients. “Everyone in the class has to make a rich chocolate icing and then flavor it two ways. I’ve chosen raspberry and mint for my flavorings.”
“Mmm.” Thorne was already semi-hard just thinking about things they’d done with Riley’s chocolate frosting. “Will you be making extra?”
Riley grinned, no longer looking exhausted at all. “I just might.”
Thorne sure as hell hoped so.
Riley faced the opposite counter and started adding ingredients to the mixer. Thorne watched him, enjoying how his tight jeans cupped his buttocks below the red apron strings. Riley glanced over his shoulder and caught Thorne licking his lips as he contemplated Riley’s ass.