Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 13294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 66(@200wpm)___ 53(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 66(@200wpm)___ 53(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
BENNET
With an elbow on the counter and a fist over my smile, I can’t help the way I feel about Bree. She’s adorable when she’s nervous.
Ever since her friends left, she busied herself with plating dinner.
“Really I can help,” I offer again from where I’m seated on the stool her friend Lauren was in just a moment ago.
“Nope, no, no you just stay put,” she tells me with her back to me and as she shakes her head, her body moves with the movement, and the apron wrapped around her waist shows off her curves. In just black leggings and a loose fitting blouse, her outfit should appear casual, but it doesn’t at all, much like tonight.
I know damn well her cooking dinner is more than just giving me a night off from a long work week.
“It smells delicious,” I tell her and she finally looks back at me with those doe eyes. Her tempting lips pull into a small smile. “It’s my grandmother’s recipe.”
“Really?”
“Well the sauce is. Not … anything else.”
As she grabs a bottle of wine to open, I scoot the stool back and insist, “Let me.”
I watch her as I open the bottle. The cork pops and I find myself pouring both of us a decent size glass.
“I would try to make her Chicken cacciatore one-pot with orzo,” she tells me as she mixes the sauce into the pasta and plates it, her curves tempting me with the movement. “I was editing this cookbook once and I asked the author about it because I wanted so badly to recreate that dish. Long story short, it did not go well. I am not a chef and I know my limits, but I can at least make the sauce she taught me to make.” With that she licks a small bit of sauce from the tip of her finger and lets out the softest, “mmmm.”
I have to close my eyes and will my dick to stop twitching. I swear everything this woman does makes me hard.
With a half twirl, she turns with a plate in each hand and places them on the island counter. “Dinner is served,” she states with a smile and then perks up, “oh, or do you want to eat at the dining room table?”
“Here’s fine,” I answer and hand her the glass of cabernet which she accepts with both hands.
“Thank you,” she says and takes a sip while I find my seat next to hers.
“I’ve never thought of myself as the domestic type, but you have me thinking I’m a changed man,” I joke with her and motion to the counter.
“Domestic … that’s a word for it.” She focuses on the plate in front of her, twirling her spoon between stolen glances.
I take a bite and damn, she wasn’t joking. A short groan of satisfaction leaves me.
“It’s good right?” She smiles and then takes a bite herself.
“Damn good.”
Lifting her glass she says, “Cheers to a relaxing night, with good food and good company.” With a smirk on my lips, I clink my glass against hers.
“I’ll cheers to that.”
We share a look and a blush rises to her cheeks instantly before she tears her eyes away and turns her attention to the pasta. I don’t stop staring at her though. We should talk about what I overheard.
“Well I do need to find a place soon,” I start. “Renting from Steve was a temporary decision.”
She tilts her head, reaches for her wine, and then glances from narrowed eyes. “How much exactly did you hear earlier?”
“Enough,” I admit and then gather up sauce in the thick buttered and toasted garlic bread. “In my defense, I didn’t tip toe or anything. And you did tell me to ‘just come on in’.”
With a gulp, the sound of her swallowing is comical. “Alright then.”
I let out a huff of a laugh and then ease her nerves. “I don’t know if we should move in, but I could extend the lease with Steve and maybe spend more time here?”
Hesitant eyes look back at me. “I was mostly just joking.” Her expression is the most vulnerable I’ve ever seen. Like she thinks I might bail. That’s not going to fucking happen.
“You want to come down to Austin after the conference? We could stay a little while in a hotel together?”
“I’d have to work but I could work anywhere - you know if you want company
“I would like your company… I more than like your company, Bree.”
Her throat tightens as she audibly swallows again. For a woman who knows what she wants, she’s awfully quiet.
“Listen Bree - I might not be ready for kids just yet. But I am ready to say I want this with you,” I motion between us, “more of this, more of us. I have feelings for you.”
She smiles shyly, glancing between her fork on her plate and me. “Feelings you say?” Although she’s teasing me, there’s not a word I’ve said that I don’t mean.