Brandon (Anderson Billionaires #3) - Melody Anne Page 0,34

expertise. That would be difficult to do since she was quite the picky chef.

It was odd for her how comfortable she was in his house. It shouldn’t be that easy. She should’ve put up more of a fight, but she didn’t have the will for it. He’d been saying things to her no man had ever said before. She had a lot to fear, because she was falling for him. No matter how many ways and how many times she told herself she wasn’t the type of woman to fall for a man, it was happening.

Maybe it was his sheer focus, his utter pursuit of her that was breaking her down. Whatever it was, she knew the chances of them not sleeping together again were slowing diminishing.

This was a no-win situation. And she was starting to not care.

“I see you haven’t mastered the art of cooking now that you’re a homeowner,” she told him as he pulled out a bottle of wine and took the cork out before pouring her a generous glass. She sipped on it gratefully.

“You don’t know that,” he said with a wink. “I might just be trying to get the meal over with so we can settle down in the den, where it isn’t quite so . . . bright.”

“You’re awfully confident in yourself,” she pointed out.

“I want you to get to know the real me. I think there’s a lot to like,” he assured her. “And I can see you aren’t trying so hard to fight it. I think it’s because I’m so damn charming.”

“Why don’t you just feed me the meal you promised, and we won’t worry about anything else?” she suggested.

“I can think of many activities that are a lot more satisfying than eating,” he quickly replied.

Chloe’s stomach twisted in a way that had nothing to do with food. Maybe it was true what people said—that there were soul mates. Many settled with an acceptable relationship and even found companionship in it, but maybe there was only one person who could ignite the spark inside your soul and make you shine and burn and feel like you were on top of the world.

Chloe was terrified to think that could be true. Because if it was, she had no doubt her person might just be Brandon Anderson. A shudder racked through her at the thought. This didn’t fit into her plans—not one little bit.

Still, she was shocked by how tempted she was. She needed this man. Maybe it was because she could see how much he wanted her. Maybe it was because she could clearly remember their night together and how amazing it had been. After shaking her head, she took another sip of wine and tried to stay focused on their conversation.

“How long will you be satisfied living in this small town, Brandon?” she asked, taking the dish of pasta he’d placed in front of her.

She was surprised by how good the impromptu meal was. She had a sneaking suspicion he’d picked it up from the Italian place down the road and slipped it in his own dish, but she didn’t need to call him out on it.

“I’m quite happy here,” he said. He seemed relaxed as he ate and sipped his own glass of wine before refilling both their glasses. “My family is here, and I don’t see myself going anywhere unless it’s for a vacation.”

“If we fell into some sort of relationship,” she said with a pause, despising that word. He smiled as he waited for her to go on. “I mean, if we were to be together, and it didn’t work out, it would just be awkward for us and everyone around us. There’s no way to avoid each other in this town. It’s one of the main reasons I don’t do relationships.”

Brandon seemed to think about her words as he looked at her, and Chloe was finding it difficult to eat her delicious meal with his gaze fully focused on her. But she also wanted to be as casual as him—as strong. It was easier said than done.

“I’ve spent a lot of years not caring about anyone other than me and maybe my family,” he said, surprising her. “I don’t want to shame them.” She’d never dreamed she’d hear him say something like that. He didn’t go on, and she pushed her plate aside, too confused to pretend she still had an appetite.

Him not wanting to shame his family was too close to home for her. She’d felt that