Page 58 of Time for Change

“I’m glad you think so. Hopefully it tastes as good as it smells,” I add, pulling both dishes from the oven and taking them to the kitchen table. When it’s all set and ready to go, I pull out one chair.

“Thank you.” She takes a seat and places her napkin on her lap.

Taking the seat across from her, I reach for the first spatula, but stop. “I just wanted to say how happy I am to have you here tonight. Dinner, the company, everything.”

She gives me a sultry grin. “I’m happy too.”

Returning her smile, I pick up the spatula and scoop up the first piece of chicken. “Let’s eat.”

Chapter Seventeen

Stevie

“I’m stuffed. I don’t think I could eat another bite,” I state, throwing in the towel so to speak and placing my napkin on the table. “That was amazing.”

Jack smiles proudly. “Thank you. I’m glad you liked it.”

“I can see why your kids love it.”

“You add cheese to just about anything and they’ll give it a try,” he replies with a chuckle.

I quickly stand and start collecting the dirty dishes.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

“You cooked, so I’ll clean up,” I insist, taking the plates and silverware to the sink.

“Not necessary,” he assures me, meeting me at the sink and wrapping his arms around me. Jack presses his front to my back, and there’s no mistaking the impressive bulge between his legs. He glides his mouth along my neck and murmurs, “These can wait until tomorrow.”

I’m a bit breathy as I whisper, “We should at least put the leftovers in the fridge.”

He grumbles, letting me know he agrees, yet doesn’t want to let me go. “Fine, but as soon as they’re put away, we’re getting right back to this.” He kisses my lower neck, the stubble on his jaw burning as it lightly scrapes my skin.

“Deal.”

We move quickly, collecting the rest of the dirty dishes and placing the food in plastic containers. I start to rinse everything off, knowing it’ll be easier to do it now than tomorrow after it’s dried on, but Jack is having none of it. As soon as the food istucked safely in the refrigerator, he takes my hand and leads me out of the kitchen.

“You don’t have to do all that. It can wait.”

“I suppose,” I concede, following him into the living room.

“What do you want to do? It’s early. We can watch a movie,” he suggests, and I’m pretty sure I catch a hint of nervousness in his voice.

“That sounds good.”

I take a seat on the couch while he retrieves the remote. “What do you like to watch?” he asks, turning on the menu and searching for movies.

I shrug. “I’m not picky.” I don’t tell him TV was a luxury we couldn’t afford when I was growing up. It’s why I always read books. I could check them out from the library and submerge myself into another world through words.

As I became an adult living on my own, I was able to purchase a television, but kept my streaming service down the one basic option. I can watch something if I choose, but at the end of the day, still prefer to read books.

“Comedy, action, horror?”

Again, I lift my shoulders, not really caring. “It makes no difference to me. You pick.”

He stares at me for a few minutes, and eventually settles on an Adam Sandler movie. I’ve never seen it, but I’m instantly pulled into the opening scene.

Jack joins me on the couch, his larger body warm and inviting as he slides his arm behind my neck. Instinctively, I lean into him, getting comfortable as the movie plays on. But I’m suddenly distracted. The heat of his body, the feel of it touching me from shoulder to outer thigh, has my full attention.

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