Page 13 of The Bride's Desire

She nodded.

“So, how did you learn to clean and cook?”

“I asked the cook to teach me.”

He grinned. “Did your mom throw a fit?”

“No. She was actually a lovely person. She just didn’t know how to do anything besides dress up, go to dinners and the opera, or be pampered all day at the spa. I wanted to be different.”

“So, you didn’t like the opera?” he asked and grinned.

She cracked her first smile, which he thought was beautiful.

“No, I always thought they were screaming and wore stupid outfits.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “I was never dragged to one, but I’ve heard one on television before, and I agree. I thought they were screaming, too. I even asked my mom if the woman was okay. I thought she was hurt.”

Naomi chuckled.

His smile slipped from his face, and he stared at her.

She looked self-conscious. “What?”

“You’re a beautiful woman normally, but when you laugh or smile, you’re downright gorgeous.”

“I … well. Thank you,” she stuttered.

He grinned when a fiery blush darkened her face.

“Let’s finish dinner. I’ve got some paperwork to do.”

She nodded and started eating again.

He took a few bites.

“I have to tell you how surprised I was by my bedroom and bath. I must admit the floor hadn’t been vacuumed in years. My old housekeeper couldn’t climb the steps because of arthritis, and I was always too busy.”

“It wasn’t horrible,” she said.

He snorted and then laughed before concentrating on his plate again. When he was done, he stood and took it to the sink.

“I’ll be in the office if you need me.” He stopped at the doorway. “Thank you for dinner. It was very good.”

Chapter Eight

Naomi hummed as she washed the last dish. She’d been there a little over a month, and although the two of them were learning about each other, he hadn’t made a move to deepen the relationship. She guessed he was attracted to her because she caught him staring at her. She found there was nothing about him she didn’t like.

After the last dish was put away, she turned and slammed against Joe’s chest. He grabbed onto her to keep her from falling.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said.

“No, it was my fault.”

“It’s all right.”

The air around them started to feel heavy as they stared at each other.

“I’m going to kiss you,” Joe said.

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