eaten at her place. She didn’t like overpriced meals. It was absolutely ridiculous for someone to have to spend a hundred dollars on a slab of steak. Yes, she was a great chef, and yes, she wanted the best for her patrons. But she didn’t need to gouge them to prove she was the best. A great meal could be affordable for a night out on the town.
She and Brandon spent two hours poring through the catalogs and circling what they needed. She had already spent some time online, so it wasn’t hard to make her final decisions. She had the measurements of the kitchen, and she knew exactly how she could fit everything she needed.
“With multiple ovens, we can even have cooking classes as one more activity for the veterans. Do you know how many people don’t know how to cook a simple meal?” she said, absolutely horrified at the thought.
Brandon squirmed in front of her, and she laughed. “I knew you didn’t know how to cook. Where did you get our dinner from?” she demanded.
He laughed loudly as he leaned back in his chair. “I’ll never admit to anything,” he said, still laughing.
She decided to let him get away with his small deception. Everyone in life had to have their secrets. As long as it didn’t hurt anyone, then there was nothing wrong with it. But she’d guess it was Bianca’s in a heartbeat.
“We’d better get going. We have a half-hour walk home, and it appears as if the snow is falling down even faster now. We might turn into snowmen,” he warned.
Chloe looked up from the books with reluctance. She didn’t want to leave. Now that they were there, she was more excited than ever for the project. She hoped they could get the appliances quickly and get the counters installed. She wanted to be the first to test out this fantastic kitchen.
“Okay, but I want to come back tomorrow. Do you think we can rush order the appliances?”
Brandon laughed again. “I think there’s nothing that can’t be rushed when it’s a Joseph Anderson project,” he assured her.
“Good.” She stood and slipped her warm boots and jacket back on. She loved her boots but absolutely couldn’t wear them inside. She’d have sweat pouring down her entire body if she did. But they were great in the snow.
They moved outside, and she lifted up her face to feel the soft flakes of snow fall against her cheeks. She absolutely loved it.
“We need to get you home,” he said again.
“I need just a few more minutes,” she told him. “This will disappear as quickly as it starts, and I absolutely love it.”
When she finally made eye contact with him, the heat in his eyes betrayed how cold it was outside. He was gazing at her, not seeming to be paying any attention to the snow at all. She felt her stomach instantly stir as he wrapped his arms around her.
There was zero protest from her as he leaned forward and his lips finally connected with hers. The second they were pressed together, something magical happened, and both of them lost all control. It was like that every single time. She wondered if it was because she’d been fighting it or because their connection was truly that strong.
His tongue was firm and wet against her lips. She darted hers out and tasted the salt and sugar of his mouth. He responded by pulling her more tightly against him as he traced the contours of her mouth. She was wishing the thick layers of clothing weren’t between them, because she wanted to feel and taste his skin. She clung to his shoulders as he tugged on her lower back, bringing them as close together as their clothes would allow.
He moved his fingers through the silky strands of her hair while he deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue in and out of the warm recesses of her mouth, tasting her . . . making her lose all control over her own body. She was instantly ready for him to claim her and wished he’d started the kiss somewhere a whole lot warmer.
When he pulled back, she gave a little moan of protest. He chuckled, and she slowly opened her eyes. She didn’t feel the cold anymore. Her body was on fire. But the longer they stood there gazing at each other, the more she realized where they were. The snow was falling, and they were getting covered.
“I have impeccable timing of where