Page 13 of Cut to the Heart of It
“Are you cooking my food?”
Chuckling, I nodded. “Yep. I’ll reimburse you my half. How do you take your eggs?”
She sighed but answered. “Over easy. Thanks.”
After cooking her eggs to her preferred doneness, I plated them, tossed some sausage on it, and passed it across the island to her with a fork.
“Wow, these are perfect.”
I smiled as I cracked eggs for myself into the pan.
I sat next to her, and we ate quietly. There was definitely tension in the air, but I couldn't tell if it was good or bad tension. She was rigid but she smiled. And her breathing was quick and shallow. Sher was nervous.
I put my fork down and wiped my face with a napkin. “Listen, CJ. I’m sorry about last night. I was trying to keep you from waking up, but I know I shouldn’t have done that.” I waited for her to make eye contact with me. “I’m sorry.”
A flush hit her cheeks, but she grinned. “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have hit you.”
“Or yelled.”
“Hey, don’t push it mister.” She cocked an eyebrow at me. “But yes. It was a nice gesture. It was a little jarring since I haven’t been picked up in years and well, stranger danger.”
She turned back to her food.
“You haven’t been picked up in years?”
She shrugged. “Nope.”
She was so nonchalant. Why wouldn’t someone want to grab her up just to throw her on the bed?
“Do you not like being picked up?”
She put her fork down. “I don’t know. I’m not opposed to it. Guess I’m just too much woman for some men.” She laughed then went back to eating.
I stood up and grabbed my plate, then leaned to her ear. “I’d say just the right amount.” God, she smelled like happiness in a bottle.
I noticed the chill bumps prickle across her arms before I walked around her to put my plate away and start cleaning the pans I used.
I refilled my coffee then grabbed my phone and went to the back door. “I’m gonna check in on my son and call Bo so see if there’s any updates. I’ll try to stay out of your hair today.”
Honestly, I had to step out back in hopes the cold air could calm me down. I didn’t know what it was about her, but I couldn’t help but act like I was hard up. I was right though. She was the perfect balance of woman, cute but still sexy, sweet but fiery, curvy and soft. I probably should have thought twice about touching her without permission, especially since she likes true crime shows.
I drank my coffee, called Danny and Bo, then went back inside after I got an update of nothing new but more rain.
“Hey, do you mind if I go up and shower? I’ll use the stuff we provide. I just don’t want to put my clean clothes back on ‘til I’m clean, too.”
“Sure, I’ll be here working.” She was dressed with gloss on already. Pink, plump, glossy lips.
I grabbed my clothes from the dryer and headed upstairs. She kept the room tidy, and her bed was made. In the bathroom, not much was on the counter except toothpaste, a toothbrush, and two jars of what I guess were some kind of skincare. Toothbrush. I wondered if there was one in the truck.
Still dressed, I started bounding down the stairs.
“You okay?” she asked from the couch.
“Yeah, I need to check the truck for a toothbrush.”
“Oh, I have an extra.”
I stopped. “You do? I can check the truck.”
