Page 445 of One More Kiss

ETHAN

After holdinga meeting with the interns at the studio and setting up for the live preview event I’m hosting this weekend, I decide to call it a day and head home. Admittedly, I’m anxious to see Vada again.

As soon as I walk in, I smell something coming from the kitchen. Once I walk down the hallway and round the corner, I hear sizzling food. Vada’s working around the kitchen, completely lost in her own world only wearing a tight tank top and skimpy shorts. Not making her aware of my presence, I lean against the door and cross my arms as I watch her shuffling carefree in front of the stove. I can’t help but think how different things might be between us if she didn’t live hundreds of miles away and if I didn’t have a closet of baggage.

She turns around and gasps when she sees I’ve been watching her.

“Jesus!” She presses a hand to her chest as she breathes heavily.

“I’m sorry,” I say with a smile. “Not too often is there a beautiful woman in my kitchen cooking me dinner.”

Vada places a hand on her hip with a spatula between her fingers. “I wasn’t cooking dinner for you.” Her cute laugh gives her away.

Crossing the room, I peek in the skillet and see several hamburger patties. “So you’re going to eat a quadruple burger?” I raise my brows, knowing she’s full of shit. “I’d actually like to watch that. Love a woman with an appetite.”

She laughs. “Yeah, a sexual appetite.”

“Obviously. Because I’m an all-you-can-eat buffet, babe.” I look her up and down, taking my time on her curves and breasts before meeting her eyes. A smile touches her lips, and her eyebrow pops up.

“Really? How much does that cost?” She chuckles.

“Just one night.” I’m tempted to lean her against the counter and devour her for dinner, but considering the macaroni is about to boil over, I wait. After turning off the burner, she finishes up and carefully places the food on two plates.

Before sitting down, I grab her cheeks in my palms, lean in, and brush my lips against hers. Closing my eyes, I focus on her mouth as I run my fingers through her hair noticing how much she smells like vanilla and coffee. Vada melts against my touch, and for a moment I’m lost in the sweet taste of her. Grabbing her bottom lip between my teeth, I tug and suck on it before barely inching away from her mouth. I steady her as she looks at my lips with hooded eyes.

“Sorry, I’ve been thinking about doing that all damn day.”

“All right, Casanova. Let’s eat,” she whispers. “Before it gets cold, please.”

“Only because you asked nicely. Maybe you’ll end up learning some manners after all. I have to warn ya though, those damn yankees aren’t used to it,” I tease with a wink as I add mayonnaise to my bread.

We eat while making small talk, and I realize how much I need to have her, taste her again. I’m a greedy bastard, but our time is limited.

The hamburger basically melts in my mouth. I can’t remember the last time someone, other than my mom or Aunt Millie, cooked for me. It’s a nice surprise.

“Dinner is delicious, by the way. Who knew writers were decent in the kitchen, too?”

“We are a species of many talents,” she gloats.

“Well, I appreciate it. Sure beats the PB&J sandwich I was going to make.”

She flashes me a genuine smile while taking the smallest bite of macaroni and cheese.

“So did you get a lot written today?” I ask, honestly curious.

“Actually.” She clears her throat and smiles. “I did.”

“Well, that’s why you came here, right?”

“Yeah, it must be the country livin’ or something,” she says without cracking a smile, although we both know the inside joke to that.

She grins, and I can’t deny how excited I get when I see her smile.

“Glad to hear it.” I smirk. “Mac ‘n cheese, good choice.”

“I would’ve cooked veggies or something healthy as a side, but you’ve got macaroni and cheese for days, probably months,” she says, changing the subject.

“My mama likes to make sure I’m eating. Between her and Aunt Millie, I’ve got enough to feed a football team.”

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