Page 29 of Perfect Pairing
Ezra made a face like I’d said something blasphemous. “Absolutely not. Stuffed crust is for hacks.”
“What about deep dish?” I asked. Having spent the last five months in Chicago, I had my opinions, but I was curious where Ezra stood.
“What did I just tell you about sauce?”
I giggled. “I think it’s disgusting too.”
“I’d never yuck anyone else’s yum, but I don’t understand the obsession. Give me New York style any day.”
“Now that,” I said, lifting my own slice at the crust and folding it in half, “is how you make a pizza.”
“I knew I liked you.”
“I just don’t understand how you made it so thin but soft enough to fold without cracking.” Lifting it up, I studied the underside, where the golden-brown dough had indeed curved but showed no signs of coming apart.
He nudged me with an elbow before holding his pizza out for a cheers. “Stick with me, kid. I’ll teach you all sorts of things.”
I quickly averted my eyes as my cheeks heated, willing the lust coursing through me to stand down. Certainly, he hadn’t meant those words the way I’d taken them.
Right?
After blowing on it, I lifted the slice to my lips and took a bite. He’d kept the toppings simple, with pepperoni I’d watched him chop himself, diced bella mushrooms, and black olives. He’d also told me that putting down a thin layer of cheese, adding the toppings, then sprinkling more cheese over top was the only way to make a pizza.
“It prevents the toppings from sliding off while still giving you a generous amount of cheese,” he’d said.
Ezra watched me closely as I chewed, his eyes darting around my face while he waited for my reaction. I couldn’t help the small moan that slipped free from my throat.
“Good?” Ezra whispered, his voice husky.
My eyes popped open. “Amazing,” I breathed. “What the hell do you put in your sauce?”
Ezra’s lips tipped up in a satisfied smile. “I’ll never tell.”
I narrowed my gaze on him, brows drawing low. “What’s it going to take for you to change your mind?”
Ezra leaned closer until he was a breath away. “What’re youwilling to give me?”
I pulled back enough to tap my chin, feigning contemplation. “A thousand dollars.”
He whistled low then tipped his head back and laughed. When he faced me again, his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Is that all I’m worth to you, honey?”
Honey. God, that was so much better thanBaker Brie, especially when it flowed from his lips like its namesake.
“I’m not sure what you’re worth to me yet.”
“How badly do you want to find out?”
His eyes widened slightly after that statement slipped free, like he hadn’t meant to speak it aloud. His hand rose to my face, fingertips brushing against my cheek as he tucked an errant lock of hair that escaped my braid behind my ear.
Unable to stop myself, I leaned into that touch, closing my eyes and savoring the feeling of his hand on my skin.
What was happening here?
I hadn’t realized I’d spoken the words out loud until Ezra replied, “I don’t know, but I’m dying to find out.”
I slowly lifted my eyelids, wanting to stay lost in the moment for as long as possible. Then, I brought my own hand up to cup his face.
“My dad warned you to stay away from us.”
