Page 65 of Seasoned
She nodded.
“Why? You know you’re not going to enjoy it. Selena paid for all those lessons, and Nicky still can’t sing or play the piano.”
“Be nice.”
“It’s the truth.”
Adelaide laughed. He was absolutely right. Selena’s daughter was an aspiring performer, and every now and again Selena invited friends over for food and drinks and to hear her daughter perform. Not very often, and some people only went because it was something to do and Selena—head chef at a popular restaurant—always provided plenty of delicious food.
“I couldn’t think fast enough of a reason why I couldn’t go.”
“All you have to do… oh, never mind. You couldn’t use me as an excuse.”
“No, I couldn’t.”
Over the years it had become a running joke between them to use each other as an excuse when they wanted to get out of a particular activity.
My husband won’t let me.
Adelaide won’t let me.
Hector already has something planned.
Let me check with my wife.
Those excuses had worked perfectly for years, but Selena’s unexpected question had thrown her off, and unaccustomed to coming up with excuses on short notice, Adelaide stumbled along. With only gentle pressure, Selena had worked a yes out of her.
“Have fun,” Hector said dryly.
She shot daggers at him and he chuckled as he flipped the toast in the pan.
Adelaide placed the fruit in the refrigerator while she waited for the water to heat for the eggs.
She came up behind Hector and patted his butt. “You been working out?”
“Why?”
“Your ass is tighter.” She squeezed his bottom.
“Hey, hey, I’m trying to work here. Behave,” he said, holding the spatula aloft.
“You can’t work with me touching you and kissing on you?” Adelaide placed her hands around his waist and kissed his shoulder blade through his shirt.
“So you’re giving me a dose of my own medicine, is that it?”
Adelaide laughed. “Yes, this is how you’ve treated me before when I’m trying to cook. Learn to multitask.” She slipped her hands beneath his shirt and rubbed his taut belly. His skin was firm and deliciously familiar with a sprinkling of hair along his lower torso.
“Keep that up and I’ll turn off this stove and take you back to bed.”
“Promises, promises.” She rubbed his nipples.
“Goddammit, Addie—” Hector turned and she scuttled away with a laugh.
“Okay, I’ll behave.”
“Too late now.” Hector set down the spatula and cornered her against the counter. He took a handful of her hair and wound it around his fist, pulling her head back so he could look down into her face with lust-filled eyes. “If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.”
“Oh, I can take the heat,señor.” Adelaide raised up on her toes and brought her lips close to his.
