Page 98 of Forgotten Desires

Brynlee was on a call with Catherine Cole who is married to Jackson Cole. His security company is one of the largest in the world, handling huge defense contracts along with private security. My tech company is now going to be handling the integration of some software that will help their communications.

“First we’re going to eat.”

Again, I’d much rather toss her up on this counter and do exactly that, but there’s a look in her eyes that tells me she knows where my thoughts are and that’s not happening.

“Is there dinner somewhere in this kitchen?” I ask, looking around.

Brynn sighs and steps out of my embrace. “Yes, go in the dining room and I’ll bring it out.”

“You cooked it? Or did Celeste?”

She slaps my chest playfully. “Do you forget that I have lived on my own for years? I babysat my niece for Asher all the time. Jett and Grady lived with me, and we ate during all that time. Yes, I know how to cook.”

“All right, all right. I’m sorry. The most I can do is a bowl of cereal.”

Brynn shakes her head. “Go in there before I put laxatives in your dinner.”

I do as she says and sit, wanting to avoid whatever her wrath might be. A few seconds later she comes out with two plates. “Seriously, your whole plate warmer is a dream.”

“Good to know.”

“This is my mama’s roast beef. It’s my absolute favorite meal in the world. Besides Italian.”

It looks amazing. On the plate are also potatoes and carrots. “Bee, this is incredible.”

She shrugs off the compliment. “This is what I . . .”

I wait, but she keeps her eyes down. “You what?”

After a few seconds, she finally meets my gaze, her brown eyes filled with so many emotions that I can’t place them quick enough. “I imagined being married would be like. We’d both come home from work, we’d talk, eat dinner, and fall asleep together.”

“We do that,” I remind her.

“I know, but we have Celeste, who does all the housework.”

I grin, putting my fork down. “I’m pretty sure most wives would love having a housekeeper.”

“Yes,” she agrees. “I’m definitely not complaining. You have no idea how much I’ll miss this when this is . . . well, anyway. I just wanted to have tonight be just us in domestic bliss.”

I like that word. I like the idea of this being something we could share. I love having this shell of a penthouse becoming a warm home.

“Are you happy, Bee?”

She nods quickly. “Yes. I know we both have an end game here, but this has been amazing. To be with you, even if it’s only for a short while, I’ve been happy. You’ve made me happy.”

If she only knew I plan to make her fall so deeply in love with me that there won’t be an end to this story.

“I want you to be happy.”I want you to be mine.

“And I want the same for you.”

Knowing that she’ll start to become uncomfortable, and not wanting to ruin our date night, I dive back into the food. The two of us eat, our eyes finding each other a few times and after the last not-so-subtle connection, I speak again.

“So, what do I have to do to make this a regular thing?”

“What?”

“You cook for me, be my wife, and all that. I mean, we already have the fantastic sex down, maybe we try some more of this . . . domesticated bliss you speak of.”

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