Come To Me (Dare With Me #3) - J.H. Croix Page 0,32

matter what I tried to tell myself, anxiety pinged around my body every time I thought about it. I’d take any distraction I could get.

“Be nice,” Daphne called over. “Gemma’s joining us for dinner. She is going to do one staff class a week out here though. You’re expected to be there.”

Tucker slipped his hips onto a stool by the island while Daphne started shredding cheese. “Yes, ma’am,” he said with mock solemnity. “We do whatever Daphne says.” He glanced toward me. “We want her to stay happy and keep making our food.”

Daphne rolled her eyes. Nora entered the kitchen. “Hey, Gemma,” she called over as she disappeared through a doorway at the back of the kitchen. It looked to be a pantry because I could see a glimpse of the shelves lining its walls. She reappeared with a bottle of wine and some glasses.

“Anybody want wine?” She stopped by the counter where Daphne was working.

“I’ll take some,” Daphne said. “I don’t usually turn down wine.”

“You?” Nora’s eyes met mine.

I shook my head. “No, thanks. I’m driving.”

Over the next half hour or so, the kitchen gradually filled with staff as they filtered in from wherever they’d been. I settled on a stool near the end of the counter, enjoying the banter between the group. I didn’t have to see him to know when Diego arrived. The hairs on the back of my neck rose, and heat chased over my skin.

I couldn’t stop myself from glancing over to the archway that led into the kitchen. His dark curls were rumpled, standing out against his burnished skin. My eyes lingered on him as he walked across the room. He was talking to Flynn who was handsome all on his own, but didn’t have the effect on me and my hormones that Diego did. Good thing, seeing as he was absolutely taken by Daphne.

Diego’s arms swung easily at his sides, and I savored the flex of his broad shoulders with the subtle motion. He had on a faded black T-shirt, and I couldn’t help but wonder what his chest looked like underneath it. Gah! I had it bad. When he looked away from Flynn, his gaze landed on mine immediately, as if he sensed I was here. For a split second, it felt as if there was an electrical wire connecting us, sparking in the air all the way across the room.

Dear God. My body needed a warning sign for this man. “Danger, risk of explosion.” Or something along those lines.

Daphne said something to me, and I tore my eyes from his. “What?” I asked reflexively.

“I asked if you wanted one of these.” She held up some kind of bread item she’d just pulled out of the oven.

“Of course. I don’t even know what it is, but I’ll take it.”

Daphne grinned, a sly gleam in her eyes. “Rolls stuffed with brie and prosciutto.” She paused, arching a brow. “Which you might’ve heard when I asked, if you hadn’t been staring so hard at Diego.”

My cheeks got hot when the man in question stopped beside me. “I’ll take one,” he said quickly. After Daphne handed us rolls on two small plates, he glanced to me when she moved on. “This is a nice surprise.”

“Hi,” I managed breathily.

“I should warn you, my sister is about to show up, and she wants to meet you.”

Chapter Sixteen

Diego

Gemma’s eyes widened as she stared back at me. She’d been about to take a bite of one of those rolls and lowered it slowly to the plate. “Soon?”

I nodded, trying not to laugh. I understood her anxiety because meeting my sister was akin to coming face to face with a freight train. There was no stopping her, and Gemma didn’t even know that. “I did tell you she was already here.”

Gemma nodded, popping one of those rolls into her mouth and closing her eyes as she chewed. I couldn’t look away from the sight of her lush, plump lips closing around the roll. It didn’t help matters one iota when she let out a soft moan of satisfaction, which sent a poorly timed jolt of lust through my body.

Opening her eyes, she swallowed. “Daphne’s food is a religious experience,” she said reverently.

I chuckled. “Agreed. You see why we’re all so happy Flynn fell in love with her. We’ll be on his case instantly if anything looks rocky between them.”

I popped one of the small rolls into my mouth, closing my eyes as the combination of flavors invaded my senses. “Fuck,”