was top of the line. Perfect. And the man standing in it with her—
He looked pretty perfect, too.
“Peanut-butter chunk cookies,” Anna announced. “They’re my favorite, and everybody loves them. Roll up your sleeves so we can get started.”
Anna might have had practice baking, but Gabe was clueless. They mixed the first ingredients, then added the flour, baking soda, and vanilla extract.
Twenty minutes later, the whole endeavor resounded of failure. At first, she’d thought they bought too much at the grocery store—way more than they could possibly need. But with the first batch lopsided, there was no choice but to try again. They couldn’t possibly serve these to Gabe’s grandmother.
Gabe shook his head and reached for the mixing bowl again. This time she took control of the flour while he added the brown sugar and other ingredients. Anna felt her shoulders relaxing as she enjoyed the easy camaraderie between them.
Here, in the small kitchen, it seemed safe enough to talk. To let some of the heaviness from last night go. “My parents really hated each other,” she said, watching as Gabe stirred the mixture. “It made everything in my childhood...very tense.”
The set of Gabe’s jaw told her he was listening intently, and she was grateful for his silence, allowing her to maintain the courage to continue. “My father was always getting into trouble, my mother was always angry, and none of it was idyllic. Not like this place.” Anna took a deep breath. “Baking always made me feel better.”
“My parents loved each other when they were still alive. And my grandmother did her best to make a happy home for us. We were lucky.” Gabe shook his head. “But I never felt like I measured up to a family like this one. It was always so perfect here, and I don’t know—maybe I just wanted something else out of life. I didn’t think I could do what Jonas did. And Chase took off chasing his dream. So, when it was my turn, I did the same. I left the family business to start out on my own. It’s been a success, but then I was never with the right girl, never happy enough...not to please Grandmother, anyway.” He slid the next batch of cookies into the oven and closed the door, setting the timer on the microwave.
When he straightened up, Anna met him with a kiss. Empathy squeezed at her heart, and she already hummed with desire from standing so close to him. Gabe didn’t seem surprised at her arms on his shirt or her lips on his—he seemed hungry. Like a man looking for a port in a storm.
He groaned, low and soft, and the sound made her move closer. “I’ve wanted to kiss you all morning.”
“I’m kissing you now,” she said.
Gabe took her in his arms, letting his hands work over her dress, caressing the soft red material. He pushed it up to her hips like he was opening a present, and then dropped to his knees.
She sucked in a breath at the sight of his blond head below her, leaning in to press kisses to the line where her panties met her thighs. He tugged them down like he was undoing a ribbon and she stepped out of them, suddenly finding herself backed against the counter. Gabe kissed her core, sending a hot wave of desire through her body.
His tongue stole between her folds, and she put a knuckle between her teeth, trying to stifle the moans that escaped. It felt like she was falling. Like he’d opened a door into his heart and soul. It was then she knew the truth. She’d fallen for Gabe. And for the pleasure that wound tight between her legs.
Gabe brought her to a slow, sensuous release. Before she knew it, he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom while the aftershocks still echoed through her body. He opened the nightstand drawer and grabbed a condom, quickly returning to the task. Unfurling the protection, he slid it onto his length, sheathing him tightly. He was strong enough to hold her up with her back against the wall, wrapped around him as he thrust into her.
Oh, it was good. It was better than chocolate, better than cookies, and better than Christmas. The slow roll of his hips against hers and the way he dropped his head against her shoulder while he pushed in and pulled out made her dizzy with desire.
Gabe repositioned her hips, rolling her close against him. Anna gave