Page 77 of Merciless

“I will, believe me.” He locates his black t-shirt and tosses it to me. As I catch it, he tells me, “Put that on, or us laying off the fucking ain’t gonna last more than a few minutes.”

“Please,” I scoff, gesturing the length of myself. “This isn’t even my sexy lingerie.”

“It is to me. Still making my dick hard.”

“Fine,” I say, slipping on his shirt and covering my scantily clad body from his view. “I’m not sure this is much better. Wearing your shirt might activate those possessive tendencies of yours.”

He turns away. “Goddammit.”

I burst out laughing at the no-win predicament. “There’s a robe in the bathroom. I’ll put that on.”

“Nah, I’ll deal. You’re gonna get overheated with that on.”

“You’re sure?” I tease, following after him toward the bedroom door.

“Yeah. I just gotta focus on something else, like this meal we’re about to make. I’m teaching you so I need my wits about me, a load of patience too with how agitated you get when you ain’t perfect at something right off the bat.”

That is my MO. “Bring it on, sweets.”

He laughs and opens the door, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze.

It’s a simple gesture on the surface, but to Cal it’s a great deal more.

It’s everything.

* * *

I frown downat the fancy pasta dish Cal’s serving in front of me up at the breakfast bar.

“Orecchiette with sausage and zucchini,” he announces.

“It looks amazing.” I breathe it in. “Smells amazing too.”

“Well, it was a team effort.”

“Barely, Cal. I could’ve done more than just stirred the sauce.”

“You also cooked the pasta and it’s perfect.”

“Still, there’s a lot more I could’ve done.”

“One step at a time, Char.”

“I could’ve at least done the prep. I’ve got some major skills with a blade.”

“Well aware, but those ain’t the kind of skills we need in the kitchen. We ain’t looking to put the food to ground. We’re here to actually enjoy it.”

“If you say it’s an art, I’m going to kick you in the dick.”

He scoffs. “Lies, woman. We both know you love my dick too much for that.”

“Arrogant ass.”

“You like that in a man.”

“Only when they can back that up.”

“Then you got hella lucky with me, didn’t you, kitten.”

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