Page 9 of Kaede
My chest rises harshly. “I need food.”
“It’s almost midnight.” Willow places her suitcase near my desk and her fingers touch one of the leather purses I’m working on. “This is gorgeous, Kaede.”
I ignore the compliment. I’m not ready to share my passion with anyone. It feels like a step down after a person’s been in combat.
I run a hand down my long beard, calming the strands and my rising blood pressure. “You’ve never had breakfast at midnight? Apparently, you’ve never been drunk.”
“Oh, I’ve been drunk. But everything I’ve read about losing weight says?—”
“Whoa! Who’s saying you need to lose weight?” I rake my gaze over her body and I see nothing that needs to be lost.
She rolls her eyes. “Well… a lot of people. My doctor…”
“Healthy has a spectrum, honey.”
“My last boyfriend…” She walks closer and I stand my ground, arms crossed on my chest.
“That guy was an asshole. Apparently, he didn’t know what he had in his hands.”
“And what exactly is that?”
“More to love.”
Her face almost matches her hair. Up until now my favorite color was camo, but that pink is quickly taking top spot.
I bring her hand to my lips. “More to kiss.” I ravage her with my gaze. “More to enjoy.”
Her eyes widen. “I… I have mac… and… and cheese?” she stutters adorably.
My eyebrows rise. “I like macandcheese.”
“You have to release my hand, Kaede.”
I look down at her fingers, so feminine. I’ve never touched a woman like this and I don’t want to let go.
She moves closer and now my hand is pressing into her chest.Damn.
“Food first, soldier. Maybe dessert later.” Her voice is all velvety and breathy.
I reluctantly release her hand. “So, this the box kind or the homemade kind?”
She seems offended. “A hundred percent homemade. Don’t hate the boxed stuff, but only homemade mac and cheese goes into this body.” She pulls a few ingredients out of the bag she carried in. “You have milk?”
I follow behind her. “Yes.”
“Butter?”
Willow seems to be asking to just involve me in the process. She cleaned out that fridge, top to bottom. She knows what’s in there.
“Yes.”
“Great.”
I sit on a stool at the bar that faces into the galley-style kitchen. My buddy, Boone, helped me remodel my home last year. This cabin has been a labor of love. It used to house a family of raccoons and possums, but I’m not going to let Willow know that. No furry creatures can get inside now and if they do, I’ll take care of it. And although the place is great for one or two people, I have an idea for an addition to make it fit more, but Ineed my handmade leather goods to take off to be able to afford it.
But what used to be firm plans in my mind, now seem like maybes or maybe I’d like to know another perspective. A womanly perspective.
What’s bouncing around my kitchen is now my plan.
