Page 29 of Trick or Trouble
Her eyes lit up with mischief.“Would you like me to dab some behind my ears and spritz my wrists?Because obviously, thissixty-five dollars-an-ounceperfume isn’t winning.Could save myself some money.And for the record—I always use therealstuff.”
His eyebrows shot up in surprise.“You put on perfume just for me?”
She grabbed his hand with a cheeky grin and tugged him towards the kitchen.“Nope.I don’t do perfume; it makes my nose itch.Just making a point.”
He chuckled, then reached down and slapped her shapely rear, admiring her delicious curves in the jeans.
“Hey!”She rubbed the offended spot indignantly.
“I’ll take care of that, sweetheart.”He removed her hand and rubbed where he’d swatted.“Just making a point of my own.”
She stopped, fisting her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowing.“And that would be?”
He shot her a slow, dangerous smile.“That you have a good girl reward coming...if you’ve earned it.Have you?”
Something flickered in her blue eyes—guarded, wary, but eager.She turned away, putting the breakfast bar between them like a shield.Picking up a wooden spoon, she stirred the simmering sauce, the releasing scents making his mouth water.“I didn’t get out of my car to take pictures, if that’s what you’re asking.
He came up behind her, whispering in her ear.“Then you’ve earned it.”Her reassurance was off, though.Her body was stiff against his, unyielding, as if she were lying.Every instinct in him screamed she was holding something back.
“Dinner’s ready if you are.”She moved away from him, busying herself with plating spaghetti and dipping sauce over the waiting pasta.“Can you check the garlic toast in the toaster oven?”she asked briskly.
Logan put his desire to probe on hold and moved to follow her instructions.“I’m more than ready—I’m starved, in fact.”He carried the platter of the toasted offerings loaded with melting mozzarella cheese to the table.It was already set with a bowl of colorful salad at each plate, along with dressings of several flavors to choose from.“You’ve outdone yourself, sweetheart.If this tastes half as good as it smells, I’ll have to declare you the winner.”
She seemed to relax then, laughing as she placed their plates on the table and sat down on one side of the four-square.“That’s a plus for me.Food always tastes better when you’re starving.I’ve been cooking half the day, so I’m starving too.This spaghetti sauce didn’t come from a Ragu jar, you know.”
“What?You don’t taste it every fifteen minutes?”he asked in mock surprise.
“Tasting is one thing,” she replied around a mouthful of salad, “eating is something else.”
Logan dug into his salad with gusto, especially enjoying the sweet red peppers bursting with flavor.The camaraderie flowed, chatting and laughing together as they devoured their food like bears out of hibernation.
The spaghetti sauce was outstanding—he’d never tasted better.Ragu was always his go-to when preparing simple spaghetti meals—quicker and satisfying.He knew she’d won this food competition, but he had other news for her.He didn’t want to tell her before they ate in case it destroyed her appetite.It was good news, but even good news couldn’t stop the storm of emotions it could generate.
Darcy leaned back in her chair, rubbing her belly with a sigh.“Well, Chef Thompson, what is your verdict?”Mischief gleamed in her eyes.
Playing along, he leaned back as if giving it serious consideration.“That was most excellent, Chef DeAngelo, but this will take some careful thought.Do you have a verdict yet?”His tone was teasing, warm.
“Like you said, this will take some careful comparison,” she replied, her eyes dancing.“Do we add in time preparation for points?Real or fake ingredients?I used fresh onions—did you use fresh mushrooms?So many things to think about.”
Logan laughed and shook his head.“I didn’t use fresh mushrooms; I used canned.But then you had a week to shop and prepare.My meal was created from what was around Holly’s house.Kind of like those cooking reality shows,” he added with mock helpfulness.
Her finger tapped her chin.“Hmmm...there is that to consider as well.”
Logan laid his hand over hers and leaned towards her.“While we are considering, I have something to tell you.”
She leaned in, her voice a whisper as if they were conspiring.“What is it?The chicken breasts were frozen?”
Logan decided to get away from the table; this was more serious than their silly competition.He stood up, drawing her up with him.“Nothing like that, it’s something I found out at my conference,” he murmured, his tone tightening as he led her towards the recliner.“We need to talk.”
***
DARCY’S CURIOSITY KICKEDinto high gear.News from a conference ofmindjerks?How could that possibly affect her?She allowed him to take her to the recliner, smirking at his deliberate avoidance of the lecherous couch that had seen too much.
Pamela still hadn’t cleaned it.
She was considering throwing it into a dumpster—she had no plans of ever sitting on it again after what she’d found on it last week.Up until then, Pamela’s exploits had been speculation.
“You’re being all mysterious,” she complained when he sat down and drew her onto his lap.The expression on his face caused her gut to tighten.
