Page 41 of Bones

It also wasn’t the first time he’d said something similar.

And he’d been right.

I picked up the pen.

How do you know I’m hungry?

“Lucky guess,” he said as he sat. “Figured you worked up an appetite last night.”

He knows.

Oh my God, how does he know? Could he hear me?

Maybe noises carry over the loft.

My cheeks flushed—and not just from embarrassment.

“That had to be a helluva hike you took…” he continued before he moved his focus from his food to me.

Our eyes locked, and we both froze. I wasn’t even sure either of us breathed.

Him.

I didn’t know if that was my curse talking or my body, and right then, I didn’t care.

He released his fork, letting it drop to the plate with a clatter. I jolted as the sudden noise cut through the intensity. When I tried to drop my red face to stare at my breakfast like bacon was the most interesting thing in the world, Deke didn’t allow it.

His large hand gripped my chin and tilted my face back to him. His voice was a husky rumble. “Where’d your thoughts go right then, Aurora?”

Hearing my name in that tone was almost better than his expression.

Almost.

An involuntary whimper escaped me, somewhere between mortification and desperation.

Just as quick as it’d happened, Deke released his hold and sat back. His face was pleasantly neutral as he dug into his food like I’d imagined the whole thing.

I probably had.

Seriously…

What in the heck has gotten into me?

I couldn’t imagine stomaching anything past the swirling in my belly, but sitting in a lusty stupor of my own creation would’ve been awkward. I occupied my idle hands by cutting one of the slices of toast into three pieces. Then I slathered each jam option on a piece, taking care like the fate of the world depended on my thoroughness in the task. When each was completely coated, I forced myself to take a bite.

I expected it to be cardboard in my dry mouth, but even my unease couldn’t ruin the amazing flavor. I picked the jar back up and looked for a brand so I could stock up in the future.

Like, for all of eternity or so.

At least enough jars to make a fort with.

But the matte-black label only had the emblem of a shimmery golden horse.

Must be someplace local.

I took another bite of strawberry jam that tasted like it was made with only the juiciest, sweetest berries on the planet. Setting it down, I moved on and found the next spread was just as delicious. I wasn’t sure what mixed fruits had been used to make it, but they were heavenly. I grabbed the last piece and bit in. Sweet, savory, andfireburst across my tongue.

“Knew that’d be your favorite.” Deke jerked his chin toward the garden. “Raspberry habanero. Fresh made for work a few days ago.”

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