Claiming Sarah (Ace Security #5)(16)

After she’d picked up the living room and made two trips upstairs with extra pairs of shoes, a pair of socks, a few things she’d ordered through the internet, and even a pair of sweatpants, she wandered into the kitchen. She wasn’t much of a cook, but she was a hell of a baker. Deciding that Cole would be hungry when he finished the yard, she got to work preparing a loaf of banana bread. She put it in the oven and had just started chopping some vegetables for an omelet when there was a quiet knock on the door.

Rushing to answer it, Sarah opened the door—

And simply stood there staring at Cole for a long moment.

A bead of liquid slid down his temple. Licking her lips, she imagined stepping into him and running her hands up his chiseled stomach and chest and tangling her fingers in the hair at his nape and crushing her mouth to his. She’d never kissed anyone with a mustache or beard before, and she imagined it would feel absolutely amazing against her skin.

Lost in her fantasy, she startled when he cleared his throat and smiled down at her. “I’m done,” he said needlessly. “I put your lawn mower back in the garage. You should get it serviced, though. I wasn’t sure it was going to last through both yards.”

Blinking, Sarah forced herself to pay attention and stop gawking at the man. “Yeah, I know. It’s on my list.”

“Your list?”

“Yeah,” she said, stepping back to give him room to enter the house. “The list of things I should do but never have the energy for on my days off.”

“What else is on the list?” Cole asked.

Sarah shook her head. “I’m not telling you.”

“What? Why?”

“Because. You’ll probably decide it’s your duty as a guy to check off all my crap jobs.”

He chuckled. “I’ll find out sooner or later.”

She rolled her eyes. “Want to stay for brunch?”

“Yes.”

His answer was immediate and without hesitation.

It had been a long time since Sarah had felt the tingles of anticipation about spending time with a man. She hadn’t been on a date in forever and had forgotten how awesome the light, bubbly feeling inside was when someone she liked seemed to like her back.

And there was no doubt that Cole Johnson liked her back. He wasn’t playing games. He’d studied her from head to toe when he’d arrived before telling her how pretty she looked. Sarah would’ve blown him off, but she’d taken extra time with her appearance before he’d arrived.

“You didn’t even ask what I was making,” she teased.

“It doesn’t matter. You could pour us a bowl of Frosted Flakes, and I’d still think it was the best brunch ever, simply because I got to spend time with you.”

It was a cheesy line, but Sarah stupidly blushed anyway. “Well, good news, it’s not cereal. I’ve got a loaf of banana bread in the oven, and I’m chopping up veggies for an omelet?” It came out more of a question than a statement.

“An omelet sounds delicious. Point me to a bathroom so I can clean up, and I’ll help.”

Sarah pointed down a hallway. “Second door on the left. But you don’t have to help, you’ve done more than enough for one day.”

Cole walked right up to her, and Sarah took a step back, only to find herself against the wall in the hallway. He didn’t touch her in any way, but if Sarah took a deep breath, her breasts would brush his naked chest. She felt her nipples tighten in anticipation, but didn’t dare look down to see if he could see them through her shirt.

Putting his hands on the wall on either side of her head, Cole leaned in even closer.

She could smell the scent of sweat, but surprisingly, he didn’t stink. He smelled more . . . manly. Not that she really knew that much about what men smelled like, but she again had to resist the urge to throw herself into his arms.

“Mowing your grass is nothing, angel.”

“And Mrs. Grady’s too,” she whispered.

He grinned. “Mowing both your grass and your neighbor’s is nothing, angel,” he sort of repeated. “I might be an asshole, but I’ll never be the kind of man to sit on my ass with my feet up while my woman slaves over a stove for me.”

“Throwing together an omelet isn’t slaving over a stove,” she protested. She didn’t know why she was arguing the point. She liked what he said.

The smile stayed put on his face. “Find something that I can do to help. Otherwise, I’ll take over and force you to sit.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

Sarah stared up at him as he brought his hand toward her face. Using only his pinky, he brushed the stubborn curl that refused to stay out of her eyes off her forehead. Then he straightened and headed for the bathroom.

Staring at the way the discarded shirt tucked into the back waistband of his jeans twitched as he walked, it took a moment for Sarah to shake her head and walk toward the kitchen once more. A girl could definitely get used to being spoiled by Cole.

He might call himself an asshole, but he’d shown her nothing but kindness. She had no doubt he could be an ass; heck, that first time she’d met him, she’d sat outside his office and heard the way he’d complained and bitched about having to meet with her. But he’d been tired and overworked, so she understood.