Page 88 of Body Shot

“I can kick a bag of laundry down the stairs.”

Hayden laughs.

“I’ll do it.” We all turn to see Colin entering the kitchen. He steps over to the sink, where he turns on the faucet and starts scrubbing his hands.

“Um, do you know how to do laundry, Uncle Colin?”

“No damn clue,” he says. “But Gina will give me instructions and we’ll manage.” He turns, using a towel to dry his hands. “Thank you, though, for offering. We really appreciate everything you do, Hayden.”

She ducks her chin briefly. “Of course. Okay, while you’re doing that, I’ll put together the lasagna and get it in the oven. And I picked up a salad at the deli.”

I watch as Colin hesitates.

“You make good lasagna,” he finally says. “We appreciate that too.”

“Thanks!” Hayden smiles and moves to the counter.

“What can I do?” I ask.

She gives me directions and between the two of us we assemble layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese, and put it in the oven to bake.

“Damn, that looks good.” I hoist an eyebrow. “When did you say you were going to cook for me?”

Her slow sexy smile makes my dick thicken. “Anytime you want.”

I move into her space, crowding her against the counter. “My buttoned-up little professor is learning to let loose.”

She laughs and lays her arms over my shoulders. “Should we go back to my place and make another lasagna?”

“Fuck. That makes me feel guilty. You slave away here all afternoon and then go home and do more cooking? Nah. I’ll take you out to Emilio’s.”

She laughs and I bend my head to nuzzle her ear. My blood heats as I breathe in the scent of her hair, her curves all pressed up against me. I didn’t spend spent last night with her, because she went home with Carrie, and I went home alone to my condo. Just me and my hand. Which was sorely needed after watching Hayden enjoy that tequila, a look of nearly sexual pleasure on her face. I fucking hated that she was on the other side of the bar from me, save the few times I got to take a break and go around and feel her up a little and sneak a kiss. I wanted to be right beside her, or better yet, have her in my lap as I held a glass of spirits to her mouth so she could taste it and then I could lick it off her lips . . .

“We don’t have to do that,” she says, bringing me back to the real world and not my hot fantasies about her. “I can make us something quick, if you want to stay for dinner.”

“Just try to get rid of me, baby.” I give her a lingering kiss, then release her. “What else do we have to do here?”

She looks around. “Things seem to be under control.”

We walk out to the hall as Colin comes downstairs carrying a big laundry basket heaped with clothes. “Okay, what do I do with these?”

Gina calls from the living room. “Bring them in here. We’ll separate them.”

“We’re going now,” Hayden says. “But call me if you need anything, okay?”

“We’ll be fine,” Colin says. “You have a nice dinner with your young man.”

My eyebrows lift and I exchange an amused glance with Hayden.

“I will,” she says. “I’ll talk to you soon. Good luck with the laundry!”

“You’re so patient with them,” I murmur, setting my hand just above her ass as we walk down the driveway.

“Yes, I am.” She blows out a breath. “But I admit there’ve been times I wanted to yell at Uncle Colin. I love him, and he’s a great husband and father, but come on, man, this is the twenty-first century. Learn to load the dishwasher!”

“I agree.”

“You do your own laundry?”

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