nothing made sense anymore.
Pierce had a beautiful home where he cooked beef wellington and wore jeans and fitted thermal shirts.
And for some reason she was stuck in the middle of it.
Mona forced a breath into her lungs.
Tonight was not a night for wine.
“Got any gin?”
CHAPTER 5
MONA WAS FULL of surprises.
“I do have gin, as a matter of fact.” Pierce opened the door to the space under the island that served as his liquor cabinet. “Any particular kind you prefer?”
Her eyes finally came his way instead of roaming the kitchen. “I don’t think it matters at this point.”
Interesting.
“I will surprise you then.” Hopefully the drink would be the least of what surprised her tonight. He’d spent an hour beside Shawn on the treadmill, trying to burn off as much energy as he could, hoping it would help him keep the calm he needed to offer this evening.
“Do you drink gin often?” Pierce pulled out one of his favorite options, and went to fill a tall glass with ice.
“Only when I’m stressed.” Mona took a few more steps, her eyes going to the beef wellington he’d spent the afternoon assembling.
“So I can assume you’re stressed?” He pulled a can of ginger ale from the fridge before going back to the island. He poured in the gin and a bit of framboise then reached for a lime from the basket of fruit in the center of the island.
“That’s a safe assumption.” Mona leaned closer, peering at the array of fruit he always kept on hand.
“I hope you’re hungry.” Pierce cut the lime, squeezing half over the cocktail before topping it off with a healthy pour of the ginger ale. He picked up the filled glass, keeping it close as he rounded the island. “I don’t often get the chance to cook anymore so I took full advantage.”
Mona’s gaze lingered on the wellington before coming to the drink he held between them. “You cooked dinner?”
“This may come as a surprise to you, but Brock isn’t the best cook at Alaskan Security.” He lifted the drink closer to Mona. “We won’t tell him that, though.”
It was the first of many secrets he wanted to share with her. The first of many glimpses he wanted to offer her into his life.
Into himself.
Mona took the glass. “Thank you.” She tipped it back and swallowed down a few healthy gulps that must have her throat burning from the cold.
She was nervous. He expected it.
Tonight was about showing her there was no reason to feel that way around him.
“Do you enjoy sweet potatoes?” Pierce pulled himself from her side, going to the other oven where the rest of the food he’d prepared was holding its warmth.
Mona didn’t respond. He removed the covered bowl of mashed sweet potatoes and the tray of roasted asparagus, setting both on top of the range before turning to face her. Her eyes were wide where they fixed on his chest. “Mona?”
Her cool blue gaze immediately bounced to his face. “What?”
“Is there something wrong?” He leaned back, relaxing against the warm front of the stove, trying to look as calm as he wanted to be.
“Um.” She blinked a few times, shaking her head a little. “It’s just strange to see you not wearing a suit.”
He wanted her to see him as something besides what she clearly did.
He wanted her to see him as a man. Flesh and bone.
Not the untouchable false front he created out of necessity. “It happens on occasion.”
“I guess I never really thought about it.” Her eyes started to dip again. They only made it to the line of his shoulders before coming back up and widening even more.
“Well I certainly can’t sleep in a suit.” He straightened, slowly moving her way. “Or shower in one.”
The same flush from this morning rewarded his gamble. She may not want to consider it, but Mona definitely thought of him in ways other than the role he took in the outside world.
It was time to foster their private world. Show her the role he planned to take there.
“Where would you like to eat?”
Mona rolled her lips inward, pressing them together for a second before releasing them. “What are my options?”
Pierce rested one hand on the large kitchen island. “We can eat in here.” He slowly eased closer. “But I usually eat on the sofa.”
Her pale brows came together. “Really?”
“Really.”
Since his last risk paid off so well, he decided to take another.
Pierce caught her hand with his, sliding his fingers between hers. “Since you came dressed