Lachlan
The aroma of steak filled the kitchen as I scooped a little more butter on top of two gorgeous pieces of filet. Content with the sear on the outside, I slid on an oven mitt, then transferred the cast-iron pan into the hot oven to finish cooking.
A week ago if you had told me I’d be in Hawaii cooking dinner for a woman I just met, I would have laughed, then asked what you were on. But this… It felt right. Especially after the day Julia had. Before everything went to hell, I had planned to maybe take her to the leeward side of the island, show her the Mermaid Caves before grabbing something to eat.
But after everything we both learned, I figured a night in was a much better option. So I told her to take a bath while I ran to the market to pick up a few things for dinner. Truthfully, the idea of cooking for a chef was a bit nerve-racking, especially as I walked through the market, trying to figure out what to make when someone typically prepared most of my meals for me. I may not have gone to culinary school, but I knew I could make a decent steak.
“Now it’s my turn for the fantasy.”
That sweet, sultry voice cut through just as I snapped the ends off a few asparagus spears.
“What’s that?” I glanced over my shoulder, my heart rate increasing as my eyes skated over Julia.
A floral sundress fell to just above her knees. Loose waves of auburn hair framed her face, which was now free from all the makeup she had on when she first arrived home. While I found her stunning no matter how she was dressed or the amount of makeup she wore, I preferred her natural beauty. Like now.
And what made her even more alluring was the fact she was comfortable around me just as she was. Because that was how I liked her. Just as she was.
“A man cooking dinner for me,” Julia replied, sauntering toward me. She lifted herself onto her toes, her lips seeking mine.
I melted into her, savoring in the feel of her mouth on mine. And now that I knew the true woman, I treasured her kisses even more.
“Keep it up, and I’m likely to put that apron and heels back on,” she murmured.
“Promise? Because if you’re offering that in exchange for my relatively mediocre cooking abilities, I’m making you dinner the rest of the week.”
She threw her head back, her laughter filling the space. Less than an hour ago, I didn’t think I’d ever hear that beautiful sound again. Now I relished in it.
“Just so I’d wear that apron and heels again?” She brought her gaze to mine, lips pinched. “Need I remind you, you have an open invitation to see me naked anytime you’d like.”
“And I plan on taking full advantage of that invitation.” I flashed her a devious smile before my expression turned serious. I cupped her face, her skin so smooth compared to the roughness of mine. “But it’s not about seeing you naked. That’s not what I love so much about you in the apron and heels.”
She frowned. “It’s not?”
“No.” I slowly lowered my lips toward hers, keeping her face locked in place so she couldn’t escape. “It’s about seeing you confident, Julia.”
“Oh.” She blinked, my words seeming to hit her harder than she anticipated.
I circled an arm around her waist and pulled her petite body against mine. She was so small compared to me. Another reminder we were as opposite as two people could possibly be. We made no sense as a couple. But in our bubble, we didn’t have to make sense. And despite knowing the truth about each other, we were still in our bubble, hoping nothing would burst it.
At least until the end of the week when we’d pop it ourselves.
“That’s why I found the apron and heels so damn sexy. Because of how bloody confident you were.” I brushed my lips against hers, a tease of a kiss.
When she moaned, I couldn’t resist the temptation, deepening the exchange, my hand roaming her frame. My tongue swept against hers as I lifted the skirt of her dress and squeezed her ass, causing her to yelp.
“Good girl,” I commented slyly.
“What?” She pulled back, meeting my heated stare. “Sizing up my ass now?”
“Just making sure you didn’t put any panties back on.” I winked.
“I’d be a fool to do that.” She pushed away and walked to the counter, grabbing a fresh bottle of wine and two glasses. “It would ruin my other fantasy.”
“And what’s that?”
She averted her gaze, a blush blooming on her cheeks.
“Don’t get all shy on me now.” I advanced, taking the corkscrew from her and tilting her chin up to meet my eyes. “What’s your fantasy? How can I make it come true if I don’t know what it is?”