like a good idea, and if you don’t mind waiting, I’d like the company.”
My heart soared. “Take your time. I’ll be here.”
~ * ~
Eva
An hour later, after a therapeutic soak and a whole lot of aromatherapy, I was second-guessing myself. Was I doing the right thing? Yes, I could admit, I didn’t really want to spend the rest of the night alone, wallowing in self-pity, but was I sending the wrong signal by asking him to stay?
I dressed in comfortable sweats and a tank, and then threw on an old concert hoodie. It didn’t smell nearly as good as Jace’s jacket, but those pheromones were too powerful, and my defenses were already pretty weak at that point.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I entered the kitchen, but it sure wasn’t what I found. The table was set for two, complete with candles, and my counters were littered with a dizzying assortment of takeout Chinese, Italian, and Mexican food.
Jace turned around when he heard my gasp and handed me a mug of steaming hot herbal tea.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked,” he said, his grin both adorable and sexy. “So, I ordered from every place that delivered within a couple mile radius.”
I felt tears pricking the backs of my eyes. It was such an incredibly sweet, thoughtful gesture.
He misunderstood, his smile fading and the concern in his eyes deepening again. “If you don’t like any of this, I can order something else.”
“It’s not that.” In fact, there was nothing there I didn’t like. I just didn’t allow myself to eat any of it, except on extremely rare, special occasions, and even then, only in small quantities.
“Then, what is it?” he asked, bemused.
“Do you know how many calories are in this stuff?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
“No, and I don’t care either. Jace’s first rule of Enjoying the Company of a Beautiful Woman: fuck the calories.” He smirked and then added, “But if it bothers you that much, we can proceed afterward to Jace’s second rule of Enjoying the Company of a Beautiful Woman.”
“Which is?”
“Highly physical and creative ways of expending copious amounts of energy to work off those calories.”
That warm feeling in my center expanded outward. I was completely and utterly charmed by this man, but I wasn’t about to let him know that. Instead, I crossed my arms over my chest and arched an eyebrow at him.
“Not like that,” he said with a wink. “Jeez, you have a dirty mind, woman. Though I’m game if you are.”
He opened several of the containers and scooped a sampling of each on the plates he’d set out. Then, he pulled out a chair and held it for me.
When I remained in the doorway, he said, “Come on. You know you want to.”
Yes, I really did even though I knew it was a bad idea. My stomach chose that moment to let out a loud, rumbling growl. Everything smelled wonderful, Jace Logan and his pheromones included.
“Sit. Eat,” he commanded.
My lips twitched at his bossy tone. “Last I checked, I was responsible for you, not the other way around.”
There was that grin again. “Not tonight, sweetheart.”
My heart—and a few other things—fluttered and tingled.
Sometimes, it’s easier to surrender than to fight, I thought as my feet moved toward the table.
I’d had a rough day. I was worn out, both mentally and physically, and my resistance was low. Add on the fact that I really wanted what he offered—delicious food and the pleasure of his company—and I really couldn’t think of a single good reason why I should fight him.
I was entitled to treat myself once in a while, wasn’t I?
I sat down and eyed the heaping plate in front of me while Jace took the adjacent seat. Then, I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. If I was going to indulge, I was going to make this a full-sensory experience.
I savored every bite; it was delicious. Because I was eating so slowly, I only managed to eat about a quarter of the food on my plate by the time Jace polished off second helpings, but I was more than satisfied.
I sipped from the small glass of wine he’d set next to my tea. I looked at all of the delicious food he’d ordered and took in the softly flickering candlelight. Somehow, this man had managed to press every one of the right buttons to get me to relax. Though I barely knew him, I felt strangely at ease around him.
“So, do you