Just One Kiss (Very Irresistible Bachelors #2) - Layla Hagen Page 0,46
My stomach was full of butterflies, and I hadn’t even let Ryker in yet.
Chapter Nineteen
Ryker
“Heather, you look amazing.”
“Thanks. Come in.”
“What’s that smell?” I asked as she led me to the living room.
She glanced at me over her shoulder. “Roast beef.”
She’d cooked for me? That was... I had no idea why that got to me.
“It’s my favorite.”
“I know. I asked Skye.”
“You called my sister to ask what my favorite meal is?”
“That’s right. I’m excellent at following recipe instructions. And I’m proud to announce that I now even own a meat thermometer and know how to use it. At least, for your sake... I hope I do.”
I swallowed hard. She’d called my sister? Just to surprise me? No one had done anything like that for me. Her gaze turned from playful to uncertain.
“I overstepped boundaries, didn’t I?”
“What? Hell, no.” I grabbed her by the waist, turning her around so she was facing me.
“You just surprised me, that’s all.”
I captured her mouth. I’d been dying to do that ever since she’d been at my office today—kiss her like I really meant it... which lately translated to not stopping, not wanting to let her go. Especially right now, after this welcome.
“Thanks, Heather. You didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”
“It wasn’t too much trouble.”
“Liar.”
“Fine, I am lying. I spent the entire afternoon running around like a crazy person. So even if you don’t like it, you have to say you like it.”
She was avoiding my gaze, moving up and down on her toes.
“Am I making you nervous?” I brought my hand to her face, touching her lips with my thumb.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I... I don’t know,” she said.
“There’s no reason to be nervous. It’s just me, baby.”
Coming home to you.
The thought just popped into my brain, completely unexpected. But hell if it didn’t sound right. Feel right. I’d never had anything like this before.
“And I’ll like your roast beef even if it’s burned to a crisp.”
She buried her head in my neck, chuckling. “Hey. Don’t jinx it.”
“Come on. Let’s check on it together.”
“Okay.”
She led me to the kitchen, proudly pointing to the oven.
“How does it look?”
I knew before I even opened it that the beef was completely dry. But she was so nervous already that hell would freeze over before I admitted it.
“Like it’s ready.”
I carried the food to the table while she brought plates.
“How did Avery take leaving for Arizona?” I asked as we were about to sit.
Heather looked at me warmly. “Thanks for asking. She was psyched. She’s always over the moon when Mom takes her. I’m more emotional than her. I’ll be melancholic the whole week.”
She sighed deeply, her smile fading. I moved closer, touching her neck with the back of my fingers. “I’ll distract you from that.”
“You are amazing at distracting me, that’s true.”
“And I haven’t even used my best weapons yet.”
“Oh, I see. Keeping the best for when we’re alone?”
“That’s right.”
That brilliant smile was back on. Mission accomplished. I skimmed my hand down her body, cupping her ass, pushing her hips against me. Damn, I was already turned on. Her eyes widened.
“Wow. You plan on starting right now?” She batted her eyelashes, running her hands down my chest.
“No. Just giving you a taste.”
She frowned, stepping back. “Tease.”
I grinned, happy I’d managed to take her mind off Avery’s trip.
“Let’s eat. I’m starving,” she said.
We sat at the table, helping ourselves to beef and potatoes. Heather watched me intently.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked.
“Trying to check if you really like the food.”
I had a great poker face. Staying calm and composed despite the stock market’s volatility was a job requirement. But in my personal life, I’d rarely had to use it.
“Heather, stop fretting. What are your plans for the week?” I changed the subject smoothly.
“I have a few deadlines coming... but I’ll come by the Northern Lights and watch you play.” In a lower voice, she added, “Then I’ll take you backstage and jump you.”
“Why are you whispering?”
Giggling, she shrugged. “Habit, I guess. When are you playing?”
“Tuesday.”
“I’ll be in the front row. I can’t wait. You’re walking seduction with that guitar.”
I touched her legs under the table. “Don’t need a guitar to seduce you.”
She blushed, biting her lower lip. “That’s true, you don’t.”
We chatted about our day until we cleared our plates, because neither of us had really eaten much of the meal. It wasn’t bad, just well cooked—I’d have to interrogate my sister to see what she was up to.