Nobody's Lost (Rescue Me Saga #5)(20)

“I do think a trip to the grocery store might be overdue.”

“Ugh. I hate that even worse than cooking.” She picked up her fork and smiled before stabbing a piece of chicken. “But I love to eat.”

He was anxious to see what she thought of his meal. True, the kitchen didn’t boast a lot, but he’d found plenty he could use to make a simple New Mexican dish like this one.

She took a bite, and he waited. Again she closed her eyes and chewed slowly. The sensual way she enjoyed food turned him on. Okay, anything she did had that effect on him.

She swallowed, opened her eyes, and smiled with approval. “That is the most incredible thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

Don’t you f*cking dare think about what else you want to put in her mouth.

His dick didn’t get the message and strained against his jeans. His body responded to her like a teenager’s. Thank goodness the table hid his erection.

He speared a piece of chicken and agreed that it tasted pretty good. He enjoyed cooking. A solitary pursuit, but it allowed him to be creative with ingredients. He rarely cooked with a recipe. His sister had taught him as a kid how to be self-sufficient and make do with what they had in the cupboards. His mom was usually at work when they came home from school and often didn’t quit until well after dark.

“Oh, I forgot. A toast.” She lifted her glass and held it toward him. “Here’s to new friendships and many, many more delightful meals together.”

Jesus, get me through this dinner and evening unscathed.





Chapter Seven





Megan wondered why Ryder had become so stiff with her again, but decided nothing would spoil her enjoyment of this dinner. She could quickly get used to having someone see to her needs like this.

Careful what you wish for, girl.

Sure, she’d had a fabulous day with Ryder, but she had no business thinking about anything long-term. Friends, yes. She very much enjoyed being with Ryder, but they lived worlds apart.

He belonged out in the mountains of the high desert. Her photo had captured the way his face relaxed and he exuded a sense of belonging when they were at the tunnels that made it abundantly clear that the rigid man seated beside her now wasn’t comfortable in her world.

She needed to put an end to his misery and call Adam.

“I sent Adam a text and told him everything was fine here. You will probably hear from him soon, letting you off the hook. I know you probably want to get home.”

The expression on his face was anything but one of relief. Had she insulted him by calling an end to his mission, as he called it? While having him here to cook for her was wonderful, she didn’t intend for this occupation to go on endlessly. Perhaps they should talk about something else until she heard from Adam. Odd that he wouldn’t respond more quickly. She hoped everything was okay.

“Tell me what you do, Ryder.”

“Do about what?”

“How you make your living?”

He glanced down at his plate and scooped up a bite of tomatoes and beans, but didn’t eat it. His demeanor changed.

She reached out to place her hand over his. “Sorry. None of my business.”

He stared at her hand but didn’t say anything for the longest time. She pulled away. “I used to do maintenance at a local hospital.”

“I don’t guess there’s a hospital where your brother lives.”

“Yeah, well, when I came back from Fallujah, I couldn’t get my act together. Missed a lot of work.”

“I’m sorry. Were you able to transition to something else?”

“Not really. I…prefer spending time out in the mountains. Alone.” He grinned. “Not much call for mountain men these days.”

“So you’re self-sufficient.”

“I suppose so.”

“You even hunt your own food?”

He nodded. “Carlos and I learned to hunt with knives. It’s a challenge making yourself one with nature so that the rabbit or snake just happens upon you and never knows you’re there.”

“Wait a minute. You eat snakes?”

He grinned. “I guess it’s an acquired taste.”

She laughed. “Well, at least you didn’t say it tastes like chicken.”

“No, it pretty much tastes like rattlesnake.”

“Rattlers? Are you crazy?”

He sobered. “A little.”

Oh, surely he didn’t think she meant literally crazy. But trying to change her words would only make him think she meant that even more. She took a quick swallow of her wine. “I’m not that adventurous with food. I have eaten escargot.”

“A little too upscale for me.”

Great. Now she’d come across as classist.

Just eat, Megan.

She did just that, and silence ensued as they finished dinner. She’d wanted to learn more about him, but hadn’t gotten very far. The man enjoyed his privacy. No big surprise. He lived alone in the wilderness.

“After I clean up the dishes, I think I’m going to catch a few winks. But I want you to yell for me if you need me.”

“You cooked. I do dishes.” She paused a moment. Oh, why not? “What do you like to do for fun?”

He stared at her as if he didn’t comprehend the question. “Fun?”