Page 33 of Stripe Poker

"It's not the same," he said, stirring the pasta.

"But it is. It's just cold water. It's the same thing."

"Not if you wear all the layers correctly."

She shook her head with a chuckle. "Deny all you want, but it's the same."

"How about you?" he asked, turning to her. "What are your hobbies besides remodeling an entire house?"

"Well, I work a lot. I volunteer down at the senior center on my days off."

He gave her a face. "Anything besides work and volunteering?"

She gave him a grin. "I'm a viper at bingo."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Sounds like that's about right."

"I know how to paint. I wouldn't say I'm great at it, but I'm pretty decent. I painted the night sky and moon on a wall in my office. I can garden. I grow most of my own vegetables and use them for my cooking. I'm also a fabulous cook."

She set everything out on the island as they finished preparing it, and they both slid into seats. She stared at her dinner, impressed. She had outdone herself.

Benton looked at her after he took a bite, and his eyes widened. "Damn, this is really good, Opal."

"I told you," she said with a grin. "I'm a great cook."

She took a bit of pasta and looked at him. He smirked at her. "Don't look so shocked."

"Why didn't you say you could cook?" she asked, taking another bite. "This is amazing. The seasonings are amazing with the chicken."

He laughed. "Well, then, I'm a great cook as well."

They continued to chat, and Benton went on about how he wanted to be a pilot. He’d dreamt about it when he was little, but he learned he was scared of heights as he got older.

She laughed, shaking her head. "You wanted to be a pilot, but you were scared of heights?"

He nodded with a laugh. "I know for a tiger shifter, it’s wild, but I was terrified. I mean, looking back at it, it wasn't the smartest idea I had, but God, the thought of being in the sky sounded amazing."

"When did you grow out of it?"

He shrugged, thinking to himself. "I was probably in middle school when I realized I wasn't going to overcome that fear. I could hardly look outside a four-story building, let alone get in a plane."

She tilted her head, about to ask him how he could get on a plane now, but he stopped her.

"I've gotten better over the years. I have ways of overcoming my fears but piloting a plane isn't one of them."

She chuckled. "All right. So, when did you decide to be a poker player?"

She slid out of her seat, taking the plates to the sink. She turned and walked into the living room, where she half threw herself onto the couch. Benton watched her with a gentle smile. "I didn't plan it. I just kind of got into it, and I was good at it. I made a living out of it, but it wasn't anything I ever just decided I wanted."

She could see he loved the game. And he was given a lot of freedom with it. She turned, flipping the TV on. Benton slid next to her on the couch, pulling her legs over his lap. She could have moaned as his fingers grazed over her calf.

"How about you? Did you always want to work with seniors?"

She wasn't sure she was ready to tell him everything yet. She wasn't sure she wanted to have that conversation so soon. They hardly knew each other, and she didn't want to sour the moment with her past.

"No, but I found I loved it. I love helping the ones that I can."

He looked at the TV, and his eyes got wide. "I love this show."

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