White-Hot Hack (Kate and Ian #2)(8)

I passed the bar exam on the first try, she thought. I can make a stupid sandwich.

But it took her three tries to get it right. The first sandwich came out soggy. She burned the second. But the third had the exact firmness she was going for and looked just like the picture. Ian was on the phone when she came in, so she set the sandwich down in front of him and waved. He smiled and blew her a kiss in response.

Five minutes later, the sound of his groaning reached her before he did. He came around the corner, the plate in one hand and the half-eaten sandwich in the other, a look of absolute bliss on his face. He took another bite and groaned again. “Where did this come from?”

“I made it.”

“You made me a Cuban?”

“I made you a Cuban.”

“Have you always known how to cook?” He set the plate and sandwich down on the counter and tickled her. “Were you hiding this amazing talent for sandwich making, Katie?”

She squirmed out of his grasp, laughing. “No. I’ve honestly never had much interest in cooking. I know how to make a few things, and I’m good at helping my mom when she cooks, but since we have this gorgeous kitchen, I thought I could teach myself how to cook. You know, the way I honed my skills in other ways by clicking on those handy links.”

“That did work out rather well for me.” He picked up the sandwich and took another bite. “You don’t have to cook if you don’t want to. I don’t mind takeout.”

“I think it might be time I learned. Grown-ups should not eat cereal for dinner like we did the other night.” It had been pouring rain, and neither of them had felt like getting in the car and going in search of food.

“This is the best sandwich I’ve ever eaten.”

Kate smiled. “You’re just saying that because I’m your wife.”

“No, I’m not,” he said, taking the last bite.

“It wasn’t that hard,” Kate said. “I might tackle something a bit more involved. I like the thought of cooking for you.”

“Good, because I would not say no if you wanted to make me another sandwich.”

“You got it.”





CHAPTER FOUR

Ian buried his face in Kate’s hair. He knew by the sound of her breathing and her lack of movement that she was still deeply asleep. Slowly he removed his arms from around her and eased himself from the bed. In the kitchen he made coffee, and on his way back to the bedroom, he retrieved the ring from the desk drawer where he’d stashed it the night before. He set the coffee down on the nightstand and opened the curtains, sending sunlight streaming into the room.

She was still sleeping, but she’d rolled onto her back, which he appreciated because the sheet had pooled at her hips and she was naked from the waist up. He slipped back under the covers and gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “Happy birthday, sweetness.”

She opened her eyes and smiled at him, her eyes half-lidded in that way that drove him wild. “Is that today?”

“I believe so.”

She stretched like a cat and turned toward him, tucking her head under his chin. He held her tight and ran his hands up and down the soft, smooth skin of her back.

“I smell coffee.”

He picked up one of the mugs from the nightstand and handed it to her when she sat up. After she took a sip, he said, “Give me your right hand.” She let out a small gasp when he slipped the sapphire ring onto her finger.

“Do you like it?” He hadn’t gone overboard on the size of the stone, and it suited Kate’s slim, delicate finger perfectly.

“I love it. It’s beautiful.”

“It goes with another gift I have for you. That one should be here later this afternoon.”

“I can’t imagine what you have up your sleeve.”

She laid her head on his shoulder and extended her arm so she could continue admiring the ring.

“I think you’re really going to be surprised.”



At breakfast, Ian handed her a rectangular box wrapped in silver paper and tied with a blue ribbon.

“Another present?” Inside, she found a gift certificate for a Loudoun County limo wine tour. “You didn’t.”

He grinned. “I did.”

“Someone to drive me around in style after I’ve done nothing but sample wine all day? It’s like I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

“There’s more. Your mother is going with you. She arrives tomorrow and is staying through the weekend.”

Kate’s face lit up. “She’s coming?”

“Yes, and she’s pretty much beside herself.”

“I knew she’d never be able to hold out until November.”

Though Jade had worked wonders in a short period of time, there were several rooms that still needed fresh paint and carpeting. Not all the furniture was in yet, and the workers hadn’t even started on the walkout lower level. Kate had wanted Diane to wait to visit until it was finished, so they’d invited Kate’s parents, and Chad and Kristin, to join them for Thanksgiving.

“Thank you,” Kate said, leaning across the table to kiss him. “I don’t know why people complain about milestone birthdays. So far turning thirty has been absolutely painless.”

Late that afternoon, Ian informed Kate that her gift had arrived. “Keep your eyes closed. No cheating.” He led her out the front door, holding tightly on to her hand to make sure she didn’t run into anything. When they reached the driveway he said, “Okay. You can look now.”