Forbidden Love with the Marine(31)
His voice was deep and strangely comforting. If she wasn’t so physically attracted to him, he’d have been the kind of big brother an only child like Makayla would have wanted. Tough-looking, yet adorably easy-going and cool.
However, with the far from sisterly sensations he evoked within her, Makayla shivered internally and felt glad they were in no way related.
He was replying to her statement about him being gone when she woke up, informing her that he’d left for an early morning run.
“I’ve discovered that doing several miles helps relax me and clear my mind for the day ahead. I came back and found out you’d left for work.”
She glanced his way as she made for the fridge, hoping he wouldn’t notice the flush in her cheek. Prayed he wouldn’t suspect that it had anything to do with feminine excitement at having such a blatantly virile male within groping distance. She resisted the urge to reach out an arm and probe her fingers into those perfectly outlined ridges of his six-pack evident even beneath the shirt.
Swallowing on a dry throat, she unearthed some water from the fridge and poured out a glass. “Yes,” she replied in the calmest tone she could muster, “I had a very early meeting and that’s why I flew back so late last night to make it on time this morning.”
“About last night – I haven’t had the chance to apologize. I’d had a tiring few days and on arrival I crawled into the first room I found. I should have been more careful since Gina did tell me she had a roommate.”
“Really, there’s no need to apologize. Like I told Gina on the phone, it was a perfectly understandable situation.”
“Just to let you know though, I’ve moved my things over to the right room. And now that you’re home, allow me to make things up to you by cooking you dinner.”
“What? No, seriously, there’s absolutely no need,” she said with a laugh. “I normally just grab a sandwich and relax. You needn’t put yourself out...”
“I’m not. I actually love to cook,” he added.
“I don’t know if there’s anything stocked that could provide a decent meal...”
“Don’t worry about it; I was able to do some light shopping earlier when I went out on some errands. So tell me, any particular dietary restrictions? You vegan, or intolerant to certain foods?”
“No...I can actually eat almost anything,” she said, curiously watching as he turned to the kitchen cabinets, drawing out items methodically.
“Perfect. Why don’t you go in and change into something more comfortable? I also bought a bottle of good wine if you’d like to chill with a glass while I cook. I’ll be able to get everything ready in half an hour or so.”
“Okay,” Makayla said, trying not to look too doubtful. She couldn’t imagine what he could whip up in such a short time. He seemed confident around the kitchen though; so she was ready to be pleasantly surprised. Lord knows she was culinary-challenged – i.e., she couldn’t cook a thing. Despite herself, she was actually looking forward to seeing how well the hunky former soldier would cater to her hunger for food. Her other, equally vital appetites would have to wait.
Chapter Four
Makayla returned ten minutes later and Blade couldn’t help but do a double take. Face scrubbed, she looked all but nineteen, with layers of clothes taken off to reveal a banging figure that made his mouth water for something which had nothing to do with food. He blinked and quickly returned to the chicken dish he was preparing.
No use denying it to himself, thought Blade. He was fiendishly attracted to Makayla Stiles. And not in a long time had he felt such a gravitational surge towards a woman.
She had him wanting to do more than make her dinner. He wanted to woo her, make her his.
“Wow, something smells fabulous,” she crooned with delight, striding into the kitchen.
Yes, you do, was Blade’s silent thought. He didn’t know what was in that shower gel she’d used; it was all citrusy and floral and woman. There was an aura about her that drew him to her even as it warned him she was dangerous to his iron-meshed control.
“Can I help?” Makayla asked eagerly, standing right next to him, almost too close to let him think straight.
One would think he’d never been around a sexy, beautiful and alluring woman before. He had to keep reminding himself that she was not just Gina’s roommate, but her friend as well, and Blade had made it a rule since they were younger never to mess with his stepsister’s pals, no matter what.
Now all he needed to do was remind his raging lust of that.
“Yeah, that’d be great. You could grate some cheese.”
She looked happy to be involved, even if it was just a simple task. But then, it was a one dish meal anyway; his favorite recipe of chicken covered in Dijon mustard sauce.
It wasn’t too fancy but it was a great after-work meal and coupled with his winning bottle of wine – as well as the special little impromptu treat he had lined up after they ate – he felt sure she’d love the results.
With a total time between prepping and cooking of just twenty minutes, they were sitting down to eat within an hour since she arrived home. An hour had never seemed to go so fast...and neither had a meal.
Makayla was full of praise for the food which they sat to eat at the kitchen table. “It looks almost too beautiful to eat,” she joked, fork and knife already poised over her plate. “And it smells divine. In fact, the whole setting and plating of the dish feels like true fine dining.”