Page 7 of Unexpected Redemption

The delicious, savory goodness melts on my tongue.

“Mmm. I need this recipe. This stuff would have blown Melissa Schmidt’s Twice Baked Tater Casserole out of the water at the annual Climax Covered Dish Duel. If I ever go back there, I’m making this, and she can suck it.”

A long string of cheese refuses to cooperate, hanging onto my fork with the dedication of super glue. I chase it around with my mouth, weaving and swirling my tongue around the fork tines to get it all.

“Lettie, please stop,” Tomer grits out.

My wide eyes stray from the Herculean-strength cheese, landing on Tomer’s pained gaze. I lick my lips, getting the rest of that goodness in me. “Am I being gross? Sorry. You know how much I love good food. And for whatever reason, all my food trust issues are gone. I need to replenish my comfort-food-loving soul in case it doesn’t last.”

“You’re not being gross at all, sugar bear. Your moaning always kills me, but the damn cheese is too much.” His eyes and voice grow warmer.No, scratch that. They turn to molten lava. “You’re making me consider coating my dick in casserole. And that’s disgusting on all levels. But fuck . . . your mouth.” He drags his thumb over my lower lip.

Heavens to Betsy. Silly horn dog.

YetI’mthe one with a hyper sex drive?

“Fuck my mouth, huh? I’m not sure that’s a good idea after such a big meal. I might need a few hours before I can do that.”

“Like how many hours?” He feigns setting an alarm on his wristwatch. “Two? Three?”

Turning on my heel and fighting off a gut-busting chortle, I grab my cup from the counter. On the way into the living room, I chug the refreshing water. The casserole was loaded with not only cheese but butter and salt, leaving me parched.

Sweet baby Jesus in the manger. It’s dang delightful to drinkicedwater again. Did you hear that? I said water with ice. Ice is so underrated.

I love all the ice. Crushed ice. Cubed ice. Big ice. Small ice. Whatever that ice is with the hole in the middle. I’m a ho for good ice.

Dinner tonight was the first time I tried drinking from something other than a bottle. For the last two days, I’ve been working up to it. Initially, Tomer would open the bottle in front of me. Then I asked him to open them where I couldn’t see him. With no issues arising, he asked if I wanted to try drinking from a glass at dinner.

Remembering the shattered glass on the wall at my apartment, I suggested a cup instead.

And . . .victory. An icy, chilly, wondrous victory.

No real clue why the phobia is resolving so rapidly, but I’m not about to question a good thing. All I can assume is it had to do with my trust issues. I’ll bring it up during my video chat with Simone tomorrow.

“Ahh.” I release a satisfied and exceptionally quenched exhale. I bring the cup to my lips for another sip. I think I’ll use less salt when I make the casserole. “You coming, babe?” I go back for one last gulp.

“Soon, I hope. You never answered me. Was it two or three hours until your mouth is open for fucking?”

Damn. That’s funny.

With a mouth full of water, I’m only partially able to prevent a glorious spit take. Instead of a projectile stream, it sputters and dribbles down my chin. Tomer dashes over, probably thinking I’m choking. Knowing me, it was a solid probability.

Like the charming lady of high society I am, I spit the remaining water back into my cup, or else my prolonged laughwill send it sailing. With my mouth now empty, I’m free to crack up atMr. Silly Pants. And I do. Unrestrained and boisterous.

He ambles closer, joining me for a bit of hysterics. Before I can wipe the dribble around my mouth, Tomer turns stone-cold serious, cups my cheeks, and licks the droplets off my chin.

He licks my chin.

With his tongue.

Jesus, Joseph, and Johnny Depp. That’s hot.

I’m simultaneously grossed out and turned on. How did he pull that off?

“Excuse me, sir? Are you my human napkin now?”

“I live to serve you.” He winks, grabs my cup, and dashes back into the kitchen.

A smidgen later, the hiss of the faucet running meets my ears, followed by the purr and clatter of the ice maker.Much to my delight, he quickly returns with a nice, clean, refilled cup of iced water.

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