Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train #2)(32)

“Yes, is it.” She gave me a playful grin. “My, my, you look surprised that a Sicilian gal can cook something Mexican.”

I laughed. “I’m shocked to see you cooking, period, least of all this.”

“One of my girlfriends and first apartment mates was Mexican. I learned from her.” Grabbing the orange juice out of the fridge, Mia poured two large glasses. “You know, I was kinda shocked to even find food in the house.”

Sheepishly, I ran a hand through my bed hair. “Yeah, my mom takes credit for that one. She makes sure when I’m coming into town to stock the fridge and pantry.”

“She likes to spoil her little boy, huh?” Mia teased. She reached out and playfully pinched my cheek.

I swatted her hand away. “She just likes to take care of me since I’m gone a lot. She doesn’t get as much time with me as her other kids. I mean, Antonio’s still living at home and commuting to Tech, and my sister, Cris, just lives two streets over from her.”

Mia smiled. “I think it’s sweet she looks after you like she does. It makes me think of something Mama Sofia would do for me.”

As Mia’s expression grew sad, I decided we needed a subject change. “You know, I’m really digging your attire.”

With an exasperated snort, she brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “Yeah, it’s a little less than I usually wear when I cook, but none of your boxers fit right.” She cast a glance over her shoulder before scowling. “My ass is too big.”

Sinking to my knees, I gripped her hips and turned her around. “Never, ever diss your fantabulous ass in my presence again.” Along the exposed skin, I smacked one of the perfect globes before grazing it with my teeth. “Tastes as good as it looks.”

“AJ!”

“Seriously, Mia, this ass is perfection—one to be proud of.”

She giggled. “I didn’t know I needed to start listing it as an asset.”

“You should.” My hands left her hips to knead both of her cheeks. “I could spend hours with it and never get tired.”

“I didn’t realize you were such an ass man.”

“Oh, I’m equal opportunity on thighs and tits too.”

Mia groaned. Wiggling around in my arms, she stared down at me. “Come on, everything is ready, and you need to eat.”

“I know what I want to eat,” I mused, nudging my nose at the juncture of her thighs. I flicked my tongue against the lacy, black fabric.

A little gasp escaped her lips. Then her fingers came to wrap around the strands of my hair, jerking my head up to look at her. Although her lids were hooded with desire, she demanded, “Breakfast first.”

My stomach rumbled, so I pulled myself off the floor. “You drive a hard bargain.”

As I made my way over to the table, she trailed behind me with our plates in hand. Just as she was about to sit down, she popped back up. “Shit, I forgot the fruit.”

“It’s fine without it.”

“No, you need a good, balanced breakfast.”

My heart tugged a little at her concern for my welfare. Even though I should have waited for her, the food looked way too tempting. After taking a large, steamy bite, I moaned in bliss. “Damn, Mia, this is divine.”

She laughed and closed the fridge. “Thank you.”

I scarfed down another two bites before she returned. When Mia leaned over me to set the fruit bowl down, her dark hair swept in front of my face, sending the sweet smell of jasmine into my nose. As she pulled away, my hand accidentally grazed her breast. I knew then that I didn’t want another bite of breakfast until I’d had her.

She turned to go, but I grabbed her hand, jerking her back to me. “AJ, what are you doing?”

Palming her breast through the T-shirt, I replied, “Planning to f*ck you like I wanted when I first woke up this morning.”

She smacked my hand away. “Jeez, Neanderthal, can’t you wait until you’ve eaten?”

I gave her a wicked smile. “No, because I plan on having something else to eat first.” I shoved my plate to the side. Grabbing her by the hips, I hoisted Mia up on the table in front of me.

“Oomph,” she muttered, giving me a death glare. After I slid her panties off, I then propped her feet on each of the chair arms. “You are such an infuriating sex-fiend!” she huffed. When I grinned up at her, she rolled her eyes. “I went to all that trouble to make you breakfast.”

“It can be reheated.” I grabbed the hemline of her shirt. Glancing around, Mia bit her bottom lip. This time without saying a word, I knew she was afraid of me seeing her in the light. “You are f*cking beautiful—every single inch. You hear that loud and clear?” I growled, before jerking her shirt off. At the sight of her full, lush body in front of me, I groaned. “God, what just the sight of you does to me.”

“Thank you,” she murmured. It was as if she still couldn’t believe it was true. How could she not believe how f*cking beautiful and sexy she was? In that moment, I knew I wanted to somehow get it through her thick skull that she was a knock-out beauty in so many ways than just physically.

Glancing at the bowl of fruit, a wicked thought entered my mind. I dug out a chunk of pineapple. Cupping Mia’s cheek with my hand, I brought the piece to her lips. “Eat,” I commanded. Licking her lips, she eyed me before leaning in. When she bit into the pineapple, juice dribbled down her chin and trickled onto her chest. While she chewed, I swiped my tongue across her chin, sucking up the moisture. I then licked a sticky trail down her neck to suck up the remaining juice. Being that close to her breasts was too tempting, so I sucked a nipple inside my mouth.