Page 62 of King of Clubs

“Marlee, don’t!” His tone was firm, but his lips lifted in a smirk. He was trying not to smile and I giggled, powerless to control the child within, as I let a couple of the shallots fall. He dropped the knife flying around the bench and I squealed in delight as I leapt from the seat and ran. I had no idea where I was going and I made it as far as his gym before his hands wrapped around my waist. He grabbed me, easily lifting me from my feet as laughter erupted out of me.

“I’m sorry,” I squealed, my attempts to free myself half-hearted as he returned me to the stool I had been sitting on and stood between my legs.

“Order is natural, babe, and it makes sense,” he placed a kiss on my forehead. “Did you know, in the wild when hermit crabs need a new shell, they all line up from smallest to tallest,” he rearranged the bowls as he spoke and I didn’t move, mesmerised by his words and the feel of his body between my thighs.

“They then each move out of their shell and across until they all have a larger one that once belonged to their mate. It’s natural. It – makes – sense,” he said, purposely placing the bowls back into their correct order and I knew I was about to start giggling. Not at the randomness of his knowledge which I had to admit was admirable, but that he likened his need to have his life ordered to hermit crabs.

“Seb, I-I,” I couldn’t finish my sentence as the bubble of laughter erupted from me and I leaned into his chest, breathing deeply. He finally caved, chuckling, which made me laugh more and he kissed me on the head again before he moved back to the kitchen. I grabbed a piece of lime from the bowl that he had just returned to its spot and licked my lip seductively.

“I’m ignoring you because you need to be fed, otherwise I’m going to carry you to my room like a caveman and show you what happens when you push me.”

“I think I will keep going then. I like it when you’re angry,” I wiggled my eyebrows and his playful grin only made me laugh again.

Dad had been the cook in our house and I hadn’t realised how much I wanted that in a partner until I saw Sebastian. The food smelt delicious and my stomach was rumbling. Reaching for my purse I took out the post-it-notes I always carried and scribbled a note, standing and popping it on his fridge.

He watched me with quick glances as he mixed the ingredients in the wok.

“Cook Marlee dinner again?” He read aloud, a hint of humour in his words.

“Well, it’s clear you want to, and now there's a note in your kitchen, so it’s done. Especially seeing how it is literally theonlything on your perfectly clean fridge,” I grinned, enjoying the lightheartedness of the night.

“You have an issue with how I organise things but you have an entire pad of sticky notes in your purse?”

“Of course. What if I need to write something down?” I deadpanned and he shook his head, chuckling softly.

“I’m sure you had plenty of things to write down while shopping.”

“What kind of animal doesn’t carry a notepad and pen with them?” I asked, only semi-joking.

“You are one-of-a-kind,” he said and, much to his amusement, I thanked him for what could only be a compliment.

“What is your favourite food?” He asked, serving the now cooked rice and prawns into two dishes.

“Hmmmm, that is a tricky one. Maybe something simple like sausages and mash?”

“Sausages and mash?” He repeated, his face the pillar of disgust. “Your favourite food is sausages?” I lifted my chin and grinned.

“Correct. I’m a pretty simple kind of gal. Love a good sausage with sauce,” I said, with a wink.

He raised his eyebrows, his crooked smile on full display. “Interesting, because I make an incredible homemade sausage. Self-saucing,” he kept his face straight but I could see he was trying not to smile and I barked a laugh unable to stop myself.

“Delicious,” I said, still giggling. “I will definitely need to try it.”

“Just tell me when, it's really quick to make,” he added with a wink.

“You are superior in every way, Sebastian, I think I will have to try it for dessert,” I said with a grin and I meant it.

I watched him tidy the kitchen after we ate and became preoccupied with the gracefulness of his movements. Everything he did was intentional and the fluidity of the manner with which he moved was an attraction which buried itself deep in my bones. With the soft music, a full stomach and a long day of shopping, I was definitely ready to chill, preferably in a horizontal manner. Hopefully this was an indulgence shared by my sexy date.

Putting the last of the dishes away after refusing my numerous offers to help, Seb dimmed the lights indicating we were done.

“Let’s get you showered,” I shivered at the huskiness in his voice, stopping myself from openly panting.

Had four words ever been sexier – because if so – I was yet to hear them.

Unable to formulate a response, I simply nodded and followed him down the hall to his bedroom. Our hands were intertwined and I sighed contentedly at how warm I always felt with him.

When I left Lucas, I gave up on the idea of finding my happily ever after, but with Sebastian, my heart began beating again and those dreams didn’t feel so outlandish. Tugging me towards the ensuite, he turned the light on and warmed the shower. I watched him quietly as he grabbed me a towel before testing the temperature of the water. Each action was designed to ensure things were easy for me. My needs always at the forefront of his mind.

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