Page 28 of Smoldering Nights
She moved to the kitchen, knowing he was watching her.Closing her eyes for a moment as she opened the refrigerator, she took a deep breath.It didn't matter that this was temporary, did it?They were attracted to each other, and why couldn't they explore that?It's not like either of them was a virgin.They were consenting adults.Right?
Chapter13
Mitch sat at the table as Izzy warmed his dinner.He yawned, the fatigue from the day finally catching up to him.While he had more information, he didn't feel any closer to an answer or a solution for Izzy's problem.First thing in the morning, he'd call Blossom Springs PD and see if they had any more information from the items they'd found.
Izzy brought a plate of hot lasagna, steaming from the microwave, and set it in front of him.She turned to the refrigerator and brought both of them a beer.She popped the top off of them.He grinned and held his beer up toward her.She smiled sweetly as she tapped her bottle to his.He took a long drink from his bottle and enjoyed the feeling as it slid down his throat.She sat at the table across from him.
"Ahh, that tastes fantastic."
She chuckled."It does."
"Aren't you eating?"
"I had a sandwich earlier."
His brows rose, and he stared into her eyes.
"Half a sandwich."
He took a deep breath."You want some of this?"
Her lips turned up into a smile, but she shook her head."No.I'm not hungry.Thank you, though."
He scooped lasagna on his fork and put it in his mouth.He'd ordered the lasagna two nights ago from Jace at the Sandbar.He didn't really consider himself a cook and only made basic meals here.He ordered from the Sandbar often, and between Jace and Marco, their menu evolved frequently, which kept the boredom down.
He caught Izzy watching him eat.He raised his brows but said nothing.She chuckled again and smiled."I like watching you eat."
"Good Lord, why?"
She shrugged but said nothing.After scooping the last bite into his mouth, he pushed his plate away and sat back in his seat.Another long swig of his drink finished his meal off perfectly.
He stared at Izzy for a few moments.The sparkle in her eyes, the sass that lay just under the surface, now covered by fear, dimmed her light a bit.But when he'd first walked into the shop the other day, he saw the spunk.Her cheeriness and her happy demeanor.He wanted that back again.He'd figure this out and keep her safe.
"I'm going to take a shower.I can still smell the smoke on me.I'll be out in a few minutes."He pushed himself away, picked up his plate, and set it on the counter, then moved to his bathroom without looking back.
The layout of his condo was simple enough.Open living room, dining room, and kitchen.His bedroom was directly off the living room, a few steps down a short hallway.His bathroom was tucked inside his bedroom.The second bedroom was straight at the end of the short hall.The guest bathroom was directly across from his bedroom.Small, neat, and tidy.He had little to clean and that suited him even better.
Inside his bathroom, he reached into the shower and turned the water on.While the water warmed, he gathered his clothing.Clean boxer briefs, a clean t-shirt, and his sweatpants.He didn't know if Izzy would still be awake when he finished showering, but he hoped so.He meant it earlier when he said he wanted to kiss her again.He'd like to do many things with her, including kissing.Her lips felt wonderful, her body felt perfect against his.
His body began to respond to the direction of his thoughts.He shook his head and stepped into the shower.He groaned slightly after stepping under the warm water.It had been a long day.The warmth of his shower felt good, like a soothing massage over sore muscles.Not that he'd done much today by way of physical activity, but his ribs still hurt, and he wasn't giving them enough rest.He'd rest up after he figured out who wanted to hurt Izzy.
Stepping from the shower, he toweled off, ran his fingers through his wet hair, and dressed.He stepped from the bathroom and froze.
Izzy lay in his bed, on her side, her head propped up on her hand, looking more sensual than any woman he'd ever seen before in his life.Her long blonde hair spilled over her shoulder and shone in the soft light from the lamp at his bedside.
He moved slowly toward the bed in case this was a dream and he'd wake up if he moved too fast.She pulled back the covers for him to slide in beside her, and he was proud he'd done it without a groan.The instant he turned on his right side to face her though, his cock had ideas and he hoped he could help it out with its plan, given his physical condition.
She smiled at him softly, "I wanted to kiss you again, too.And I'd feel safer in here with you."
"I don't know how safe you are in my bed, Izzy."
She chuckled."I think I'm as safe as I need to be."
He leaned in and kissed her lips.Their kiss became heated quickly, their tongues danced in unison, their lips moved together, and their bodies pressed tightly against each other.
She gently nudged him down on his back and looked into his eyes."I don't want you to hurt yourself.Let me do the work."
He chuckled."You're a dream come true."
