you get the back door? The weather’s nice so I figured we’d eat on the balcony.”
“Sure!” I slid the door open and Silas went through, holding both plates and setting them down on a small glass table. He had plants in rows along his balcony and the whole set up looked like something from France.
“I love this,” I said, letting it transport me back.
We sat on the balcony overlooking the river and laughed as we ate.
“I’m missing Rhea’s homemade vindaloo tonight, but it’s worth it,” I said. “Plus, she’s going to make me a container for work tomorrow.”
“Mm. I want some.” He grinned and took a bite.
“I’ll share.” I smiled back and took a bite, too, feeling mushy on the inside. “This is so good,” I told him after I’d wiped my mouth. He’d made balsamic chicken with rosemary roasted potatoes and parmesan asparagus. “Is there anything you can’t do? Seriously.”
“Um.” He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m bad at laundry. Like, really bad.”
I eyed him. “You can’t work a washing machine?”
“It’s not that part. I can’t fold, and I hate putting it away. Like hate. I pretty much live out of laundry baskets.”
I laughed in surprise. “But you always look freshly pressed.”
“I have my uniforms, and even some of my casual clothes, dry cleaned.”
I had to giggle because he seemed so embarrassed about it. “We all have some chore we hate. I think you’re okay.”
“Oh, yeah? Which one do you hate?”
I thought about it. “I don’t love any chore, but I guess I don’t hate any either. I don’t get very excited about cooking.”
“I love cooking,” he said.
“Thank God.” Now we both laughed, though I felt a blush creep up as I wondered if I’d made it seem like I wanted him to cook for me on the regular. I mean, that would be the best thing in the entire world, along with more of that amazing sex. Could I place an order?
Now I was full on blushing.
“I bought your favorite vodka,” he said. “Do you want a drink?”
I covered my mouth and shook my head, feeling nauseated, and he barked a laugh.
“Feeling rough still, eh?”
“Yeah. Listen, I’m really sorry about last night.”
He waved a hand. “Don’t be. Most fun I’ve had in forever.”
I covered my face. “I have regrets.”
He kept laughing and stood, picking up both our plates. I stood, too, and opened the door again. “I’ll wash those,” I said, trying to reach for them, but he turned away.
“Nope.” He went to the sink. “Just hop up on this counter and keep me company.”
I sighed and did as I was told, letting him laugh at me when it took two big hops to get up there. As we chatted and he washed, I eyed the way his arm flexed. He glanced at me and grinned.
“Checking out my arm?”
“Um.” I giggled.
“You can perv on it if you need to. Give it a sniff.”
“Stop!” I laughed, covering my face in mortification as he chuckled.
When I finally relaxed I saw his eyes flicker down to my exposed lower thighs. His eyes went up to mine, then back down to my thighs. I got quiet as a moment of boldness overcame me. I slowly inched my skirt up a bit farther. He made a sound in his throat, then began rinsing the plates.
“A bit more,” he said in a low voice, his eyes going back to my thighs.
My heart gave a pound and I was instantly wet for him again. I pulled my skirt up until a bit of my panties were showing, then I gripped the edge of the counter with my fingers and watched him. I could feel the blood thrumming beneath my skin.
“You should touch yourself.” His complete alpha-nonchalance took me by surprise. My chest was rising and falling faster now. He was drying the dishes lazily as I leaned back and maneuvered my hand down my underwear, sliding two fingers along my clit.
“Mm-hm,” he praised me and dried his hands, setting the towel aside. “Take your hand out.” I pulled my hand out and he took my palm, bringing it up to his mouth and slipping the end of my middle finger into his mouth. His hot lips, then his smooth tongue flicked over my skin and I legit whimpered, not looking away from his eyes.
I knew where this was about to end up, but before I continued to give myself to him and fall further, I needed to see if we were on