Page 7 of His Big Pipe

She clears her throat and moves away, saving me from myself.

“Qing man yong,” she says cheerfully. “Or bon appetit.”

I manage to grab a dumpling with my chopsticks, dip it into the sauce, and get it into my mouth without dropping it.

Flavors of juicy pork, earthy mushroom, chili, sesame, and ginger set fire to my taste buds in the best way.

“I could eat fifty of these.” I grab another. “They’re spectacular.”

She laughs, the sound melodic and bright. “I didn’t make that many. But I have plenty of dough to make them for the rest of the week.”

“Perfect,” I say through a full mouth. Forget manners, this is the best thing I’ve eaten in a long time.

She grins and takes another drink of her beer. “I saw a crossword puzzle on the counter. Maybe we could give that a go after dinner?” she asks.

If I’m not careful, I’ll be under her spell by the end of the week.

Or sooner.

CHAPTER 4

TALIA

I throw a wrap over my pajamas and tiptoe down the hall to the kitchen.

I can’t sleep. My mind is on overload…as well as my body.

Sully and his big, rugged self keeps barging into my thoughts, demanding food, and other more carnal things. And I thoroughly enjoy giving him what he wants. Dumplings and more.

I must be losing it.

This inn is driving me crazy. Because even if Sully fixes the plumbing, I worry I won’t be able to keep it for long.

Why do I have to be like this? So impulsive? Jumping into things without looking back.

I search Sully’s pantry for tea, but all the man seems to have is coffee and liquor. Warm milk will have to do.

As it heats on the stove, I think back to how much Sully loved my cooking. He was completely absorbed in the food. It filled my heart with pride and maybe a little longing. It had been a while since a man had made me feel this way. Needed. Wanted. If only for my cooking.

And after dinner, when we sat outside and did the crossword puzzle together, I felt at home. To be honest, I feel right at home in this kitchen, too. There’s just something about this place—and Sully—that makes my heart happy.

I clean up and take my milk down the hall when I hear my name.

“Talia…”

I freeze, stunned at how desperate it sounds.

Sully says it again and I creep over to his bedroom door.

The door’s ajar and I hold my breath as I peek in.

The sight is one I’ll never forget.

There in a perfect shaft of moonlight, is Sully’s muscled, naked body, writhing on top of his sheets. And in his meaty palm is his thick, hard cock.

Holy shit.

If I wasn’t so frightened of being found out, I’d come right here.

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