In fact, she just wanted more.
In all her adult years, she’d never felt this way about anyone. Not even her ex.
“It’s not love.”
She’d meant every single word she’d said. This wasn’t about love, and she didn’t care for it to be either. All she wanted was sex. Lots and lots of sex. Her pussy throbbed at the memory of his face between her thighs. She’d read about it, seen it, but never experienced it. The orgasms she’d produced at her own hands were mediocre at best.
“Get your head in the game.” She tried to shake off the memory and just focus on the pasta, but each second, she recalled Smokey’s face and the way he touched her. It meant something to her. It was crazy. She didn’t consider it love. It wasn’t that, but it was something.
“Focus, Ava. Just focus.” There was no way she was going to behave like a schoolgirl in front of him.
Smiling, she checked the pasta. It was almost cooked.
She quickly prepared the sink so she could drain it. After turning off the sauce, she checked her pasta again, perfectly cooked. She reserved some water and drained the pasta, returning it to the pot.
Ava was adding the sauce and sprinkling in some cheese when her doorbell rang. She paused with a frown.
Leaving her pasta and sauce, she went to the front door, forgetting to check who it was before she opened the door.
Smokey stood on the doorstep.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hi, yourself.” He stepped forward, banding an arm around her waist and pulling her close. His lips brushed across hers.
“Your business ended early?”
He winked at her. “I got it done as quickly as I could because I knew I was coming here.” He kissed her again. “Something smells really good.”
“That’s dinner.”
“Care to share?” he asked. “I’m starving. I haven’t had anything to eat.”
“Sure. I’ve got plenty.” She didn’t like to make small portions, so more often than not, it ended up in the freezer or as leftovers, which was another reason she rarely used meat in her food.
Smokey let her go and closed her front door. She returned to the kitchen and finished preparing their food. She served two generous portions for them. There was a place setting for her. She gave it to Smokey, sitting opposite him, and grabbed herself a knife and fork.
Pushing some hair off her face, she sat down. “Enjoy.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Smokey asked, looking almost hesitant.
“Sure.”
“Can you actually cook?”
She chuckled. “You’ve got proof right in front of you. I don’t understand.”
“It’s not that. It’s just, I know a woman who is trying so hard to learn to cook, and she’s fucking awful. The woman has nearly given me food poisoning more times than I can count.”
Ava laughed. “I can cook. I haven’t had any complaints.” It was the one area Derek couldn’t moan about. Meals were always good. “Just try it. I won’t be offended if you find it disgusting. I know peppers aren’t to everyone’s taste.”
He tentatively took a bite.
She tried not to laugh. “Does this woman know she’s scarred you?”
“She’s a sweet woman. It’s Abriana. You met her.”
“Oh, right. The one that didn’t talk all that much.” She didn’t want to feel jealous. He’d said the woman was married, but that didn’t have to mean anything, did it?
“Before you ask, she can’t bake for shit.”
“That is awful. She made meals for you, and you’re still complaining.” She shook her head. “It’s mean.”
“I tell you what, the next time Ugly Beast invites me over for dinner, you’re coming.”
“It’s a date,” she said. “I won’t be mean.”
“Woman, you’ve yet to try this woman’s food.”
She twirled some spaghetti on her fork and looked over at him. He’d already taken three more mouthfuls of her dinner. “Is it really that bad?”
“I didn’t think it was possible, but the woman can burn a chicken without it being cooked on the inside.”
“That can happen?”
“I didn’t think so, but she is the master of fucking up in the kitchen. She tries so hard though. We’re all rooting for her to get it right.”
She laughed. “You’re so mean.”
“I’m being nice.”
“Well, I don’t ever want to be on your bad side.”
“I doubt that will happen.”
Silence fell between them, but it wasn’t awkward. She enjoyed it. It was fun eating with someone. She hadn’t done this in such a long time. Even before her divorce from her ex. They’d stopped sharing meals together long before then.
“I did happen to make a small chocolate cake,” she said after dinner.
“Care to share?”
“Love to.”
“Good.” She took their empty plates. Smokey had enjoyed seconds, which she loved. Feeding him had given her so much pleasure. She put the dishes in the sink and went to the fridge. Chocolate was one of her favorite things in the world, then peanut butter. The two were the best.