Page 19 of A Lot Like Forever
Chapter 5
Nate stepped inside and resisted the urge to call out, “Honey, I’m home!” Instead he chuckled to himself and walked down the hall, pausing only to drop his workbag to the floor. It was weird how much he was looking forward to seeing her, given how desperate he’d been to get out of the house and put some distance between them earlier in the day.
“Something smells incredible.”
Faith appeared, barefoot and dressed in skintight jeans and a loose blouse. He sucked in a breath when his eyes traveled up, the blouse unbuttoned just low enough for him to see too much of her breasts. Ordinarily he would have appreciated it, but with Faith it was the last thing he needed, to be distracted by her gorgeous body.
“I went shopping,” she said. “The fridge is full and I have my secret tomato sauce just about ready.” Faith smiled as she spun back around to what she was stirring in a big pan. “I’m hoping you like spaghetti and meatballs.”
Nate shrugged out of his jacket and threw it down over a chair. He could get used to this way too easily, and he wasn’t just thinking about the cooking. Seeing Faith all barefoot and cute in his kitchen was kind of a turn-on.
“I thought you were part Latino,” he joked, raising an eyebrow as he crossed the room and made for the fridge. He needed a beer—it had been a long day--and he also needed something to distract him from Faith.
“Just because I’m Latino doesn’t mean I can’t cook Italian,” she joked back, glancing at him over her shoulder. “I took an Italian cooking course a while back, when I decided that I actually had to get my ass into gear and learn how to create a few culinary masterpieces.”
He grinned. “Well, now that you’ve told me it’s a culinary masterpiece . . .”
Faith laughed at him without looking and it annoyed him. He’d anticipated the flash of her eyes, the warmth in her gaze, and he craved it.
“My Mexican is good, tacos and comfort food, but this was me expanding my skills,” she continued. “I can’t say my father appreciated it. . . .”
“But I will,” he said gruffly, feeling protective over her.
“I bet Mrs. T cooked amazing food for you all the time.”
Nate grunted.Yeah, but she never looked like that when she was doing it. “She always had something waiting for me.”
“Come try this.”
He took a long, deep pull of beer, not answering straightaway. Was she trying to seduce him or did she actually have no damn idea? He stifled a groan. He was going with no damn idea.
“I . . . ,” he started to protest.
“Please,” she said, holding up the wooden spoon and grinning at him. “I need you to tell me if it’s any good.”
Nate met her gaze, stared straight into eyes that he couldn’t decide if they were innocent or the complete opposite. He hauled himself up, leaving his beer and walking toward her. Faith held out the spoon, her eyes widening as he leaned closer and opened his mouth, letting her feed him. The sauce was incredible, full of flavor, but it was the light in her gaze and the wide smile she gave him that nearly took his breath away.
“It’s amazing.”
“Really?”
Nate knew he should have taken a step back, should have put some distance between them, but he was like a magnet drawn to metal. He’d resisted her for so long, stayed away from her, not let himself even think about touching her like he’d wanted to, and now . . . He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face, knowing he shouldn’t have, but the urge to touch her was suddenly unbearable.
When she jumped at his touch, pushed back like she was scared, he backed off fast.
“Yes, really,” he finally responded, giving her some more space. “It’s great.”
She didn’t say anything, the spoon still hovering. “Well, ah, good.”
He watched as she took a big breath and moved back closer to him.
Nate closed his hand over her wrist, slowly lowering the spoon and placing it on the bench. Faith was staring at his hand, looking up under hooded lashes when he tightened his hold, only just enough for her to notice. He could see she was breathing hard, but he had no idea whether she wanted him to back off or the complete opposite.
“Are you trying to seduce me?” he asked, his voice barely a gruff whisper.
He watched her swallow, noticed her cheeks turn a soft, tempting shade of pink. He’d never actually seen her blush before, and he liked it.
“No,” she croaked, shaking her head.
