Page 44 of Dreams That Bind Us
She bit her lip and met his gaze.
"Tell me," he urged, his voice firm. There was no way she could disobey him.
"You've helped me break down some of my walls." She shrugged. "I really can't explain it any other way."
His smile returned and it was drenched with satisfaction. "Good. Then I'm right on schedule." He moved back to the stove.
She scowled at him. What in the world was he talking about?
"Schedule for what?"
"To win your heart, of course." He grabbed a spatula and began expertly flipping the pancakes, oblivious to her gaping expression. "Can you tell me how many walls there are? I'd like a better idea for completion, if possible."
Anna sputtered a laugh. The man was impossible. "Twenty," she answered, making up the number. How in the world could she know exactly how many there were?
He shot her a shocked look over his shoulder. "Twenty? Right now?"
She snickered. He was so cute, holding that spatula in the air like it was a wand, his hair mused and sticking up in angles from her fingers, his lips swollen from her kisses.
"Oh, at the very least,” she joked. “You've knocked down three, maybe four so far."
James scoffed. "More like ten." He pointed the spatula at her. "But I'll take care of the rest in no time. Don't you worry about that."
She watched as he expertly plated their pancakes, smearing each with a layer of butter and drizzling maple syrup. He set the plate in front of her and gave her a smacking kiss on her head. "Here you go, Kitten. Now eat up. We have a busy day ahead."
Anna paused in a bite and looked at him. "We do?"
He took a bite of pancakes and moaned, closing his eyes for a moment. "Damn, I'm good," he breathed out.
"James? Why do we have a busy day? I have work to do."
He nodded through another bite, then leaned over to give her soft peck. "Yes, I know. And so do I. We both have a lot of work to do." He waved his fork at her. "Take that bite and tell me I'm not the best damned cook you've ever kissed before," he dared, his eyes twinkling.
She laughed, unable to resist him, and popped the bite in her mouth. A moan ripped from her chest as her eyes rolled back. It was a symphony of flavors—vanilla, maple, and decadent chocolate all rolled into one delectable bite.
"It's amazing. And just to clarify, youarethe only cook I've ever kissed before."
"Damn right." He lifted an eyebrow. "And?"
"And, you're the best damned cook who has ever made me breakfast in boxers."
A satisfied grin stretched his face. "That'll do." He walked over with the coffee pot. "Do you need a refresh?"
"Yes, please." She held up her cup as he refilled it.
He sat next to her, sipping his coffee. "What I mean about our busy day is that we both have important work to do, and then I'd like to make dinner for you tonight. Will you come over?"
She bobbed her head, relieved he'd asked. It would take a hurricane of epic proportions to keep her away.
"And will you stay the night again?"
Anna turned to him, noting his hopeful expression. He looked like a little boy on the night before Christmas. She wanted it more than anything, but were they going too fast?
It was just like Aunt Louise had predicted: Anna would fall quickly and James wouldn’t relent until he’d won her over. But she had no intention of telling him that.
"If you want me."
He chuckled softly, drawing her in for a sticky kiss. "Are you kidding me? I always want you, Kitten."
