Aleena nodded and watched him walk away. She pressed a hand against her stomach, where it felt like a thousand butterflies fluttered. She wanted to go to him and sit on his lap so he could hold her. Another part of her wanted him to stick his fingers inside her like he had the night before and give her the pleasure he had. A very small, scared part wanted to run before she got hurt because she knew if he decided to walk away, it would crush her.
She browned the chops before putting them into a pan and pouring cream of mushroom soup over them. Then she covered them with foil and popped them into the oven. She had some trouble finding the utensils and pans she needed. He had the very basic essential things and only one of each like saucepans. She’d ha
ve to get creative with the rest of the dinner. She could bake the green beans and the potatoes. Then mash the potatoes when they were done and use the pan for the gravy she wanted to make.
She popped three potatoes in the oven with the chops and went in search of Kaleb. She leaned against the doorjamb and watched him reading a paper. He looked so serious but also extremely sexy. His dark hair was ruffled from the day, and she could see a shadow of beard growing because he hadn’t shaved that morning.
He looked up and set the paper down. “Hey, are you done?”
“Yes, but if it’s okay with you, can I just sit on the sofa and read while you’re doing work?” she asked and indicated the sofa off to the side.
“Won’t that be boring for you?”
“Not at all. I love to read, besides, I don’t want to take you away from anything you need to do. Dinner won’t be ready for an hour or so.”
“All right. I’ve got some books on the shelves. I hope you can find one you like.”
“I will,” she said and turned to face the wall with what looked like way over a hundred books. “I like to read a wide range of things.”
“If you get bored, tell me.”
“I will.”
It was an hour later when she saw him glance up at her as she sat on the sofa reading.
“What book did you find?”
She looked up. “A John Grisham one I haven’t read.”
“You like thrillers?”
“I like to read just about everything except horror.”
“Are you at a good place to stop, baby?” he asked.
She noted the page number and closed the book.
“I can find a bookmark for you.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll remember the page.”
“I wish I had that sort of memory. I leave a room to get something and forget what I was going for.”
She laughed and set the book on the table by the sofa.
“Come here,” he demanded gruffly.
She instantly stood and walked to him. She gasped when he pulled her into his lap.
“I missed you,” he said and nuzzled the side of her head.
She giggled. “But I was right in front of you.”
“It doesn’t matter. I like having you right beside me so I can touch you.”
She leaned her head back and grinned. “All you have to do is ask.”
He gave her a playful growl and went for her neck.