she’d thought the turkey on wheat had been a serviceable lunch, but then Hutch had started making her lunches. He put honey mustard and tomatoes on it, and she loved them. The one from downstairs was now bland.
She would miss him if they drifted apart at the end of this.
“Did you bring me something?” Kyle started to poke around in the bag Hutch had set on her desk. “I don’t think I’m eating at this thing. What’s the special tonight? Mom told me Sean was working on short ribs and they’re delicious.”
Hutch slapped at his hand. “No, I did not get you anything because we’re not in a relationship, and as you have pointed out many times, you are an adult man capable of making your own lunch.”
Kyle stared down at the bag with sad puppy eyes. “Only because I didn’t know you’re actually pretty good in the kitchen. I thought it was one of those things where a dude thinks he’s good, but he pretty much sucks. Your breakfasts are solid. I missed it this morning. We need to get groceries again.”
Because they’d abandoned the ones at her place the night before. None of that mattered because Hutch was here and he was letting her stay and finish up. She moved into his arms and wrapped herself around him. He hugged her tight and she realized what she’d been missing all day. Him.
He kissed her cheek and nuzzled her ear. “Hey, I missed you. It was a long day.”
But he was still here and still willing to wait with her. “You, too. Thank you for dinner and thank you for letting me stay.”
“Okay, I lost my appetite. You got this, brother?” Kyle was already at the door.
Hutch’s lips curled up in a sexy grin as he stared down at her. “Oh, I got this. I got all of this.”
His hands moved down to cup her ass. Kyle made a gagging sound and then he was gone.
“Alone at last.” Hutch kissed her. “That is what I wanted all day.”
“Well, since you are letting me finish this up tonight, I might not have to work this weekend,” she whispered against his lips. “And then we can get a whole lot of alone time in.”
His hands moved up her back. “I would love that.”
He was such a handsome man with his blue eyes and golden brown hair, a sharp jawline that had a hint of scruff covering it. She loved the way his muscles felt under her hands. She wasn’t in his league. All of her insecurities flooded back in and she decided to simply ask. Wasn’t that what she was supposed to do? “Hutch, what happens when this case is over?”
A quizzical expression hit his face, but he didn’t let her go. “I suspect you won’t be afraid anymore.”
“I meant with us.”
“What do you want to have happen? Because I know what I want, but I have been accused of moving way too fast. You, my darling, are a skittish chick.”
She felt a smile cross her face because that was not the reply of a guy who was planning on ghosting her once this was done. “I am not.” She went on her toes and kissed him before pulling away. She was starving, and whatever was in that bag smelled like heaven. “Skittish? What a silly word. I am reasonable and responsible, and one of us has to be.”
“I am over-the-top romantic and reckless,” he replied, moving in behind her. “One of us has to be. I got you the special tonight. It’s half a roast chicken with lemon rosemary potatoes and asparagus. If you don’t like it, you can have my burger.”
The smell of the chicken hit her, and her stomach growled again. “Not on your life, although that is a lot of food.”
Hutch shrugged. “I figured I’d try yours, too.”
She couldn’t stop smiling. He made her happy. Happier than she could remember being before. She had her work and she had a guy she could trust. What more could she ask for? “I suppose I could share. How did you get up here, anyway?”
“Kyle left my name as an approved guest. I also think that after what happened in the locker room, the security guys are happy to have someone up here with you.” He kissed the nape of her neck and took a step back. “There’s a piece of chocolate cake and a slice of whatever pie they made today. I definitely thought we could share those.”