Page 46 of Emergence and Ascendance

My pussy pulsed in approval of his attention to detail but I pushed the thought away, determined to maintain some composure and not jump on him before he finished our dinner.

"The vegetables smell amazing. What did you season them with?"

"Just olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh thyme, and an herbed garlic marinade."

"You don't use just before something that elaborate."

He chuckled while lifting the vegetables and arranging them on two plates. The sizzle had my stomach doing a happy dance.

"I didn't make it. It's prepackaged so I only get points for dropping it in my cart at the grocery store."

"Right, simple." I rolled my eyes and grinned.

I watched as he moved to check the potatoes in the oven, bending to peer through the glass door before he reached for a silicone oven mitt to remove them. Once he had them next to the vegetables, he flipped the steaks. All of this was very domestic but he was still sexy and confident while he cooked and plated food that had my fingers itching to take out my phone and steal a few pictures.

Of the food and him…

"Almost ready." He flipped the steaks a few more times.

"Can I help with anything?"

Watching him cook for me was enjoyable but I also felt out of place just sitting around lusting after the visual. Also too intimate…

"I didn't take you for a man who cooks."

"There's a lot you don't know about me."

"Clearly." I crossed my legs, hyper aware of his eyes tracking the movement.

He smiled. "You've barely scratched the surface of who and what I am, Scotlyn."

He was flirting and very open about it. This was going to be a long night.

"How many bedrooms does this place have?" I asked, changing the subject because this was supposed to be food, business, then running my ass up out of here.

"Eight. Too many for one person."

"Planning to fill them?"

Shit, why did I ask that? Too personal…

Christian glanced up and his eyes met mine in a hard stare. "My focus right now is on building my businesses."

Definitely too personal…

Something about the way he said it made me cringe. He didn't want kids.

"The layout worked when my sisters were here. And now that Cress has a family, the space is an added bonus for when they come."

I nodded even though his back was to me.

"So…" I took another sip of wine. "What's this dinner really about, Christian?"

"Straight to business?"

"Isn't that why I'm here?"

He placed the steaks on a cutting board but kept talking. "You're here because I want you here."

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