Secret Delights (Lingerie Series) (3 page)

Inhaling and exhaling, I stepped
away from his touch. Clearing my throat, I said, “It was fine. I just…” Damn, I
couldn’t think of any excuse. Not one that wouldn't sound like I was have
erotic fantasies of him. Which I was, so I just let the words drop.

“You want to follow me?” I tossed
out.

“You can give me your address and
I’ll meet you there shortly. I need to go by the grocery store to get the
steaks. What kind of grill do you own?”

I searched in my purse for a scrap
of paper. “Charcoal.” I located a pen but nothing else. “Just your classic
black dome one, too. I haven’t moved into the propane era yet.”

“I like cooking my steaks on
charcoal so you are in luck.” He smiled. “Here.”

When I glanced at him, I saw he had
his hand out.

My brows pulled tight as I stared at
him.

“Write it on my hand. I’ll program
it into my navigation when I get in my car.” He waved his hand in front of me.
“Save a tree.”

Grinning, I stepped to him and
cupped his big hand in one of mine. The desire to stroke his long, wide fingers
had my sex throbbing. Keeping my focus, I decorated his pale palm with my
information. I even added my number on the bottom. Looking up, I said, “In case
you get lost.” Then I did something I’d never done to another man before. I
winked, a definite flirt, at Mr. Cale before turning and strutting away.

His laughter followed me.

Knowing that he thought my ass was
sexy in high school when I was more round than curvy, I could not help but add
a little switch to my walk because I hoped that he was watching.

Finally getting to my car, I slipped
behind the wheel and shut the door. When I reached out to place the key in the
ignition, I realized my hands were shaking. Not in fear, but excitement. The
quiver matched the tremors that were in my core. I’d never invited a man to my
place. Even on a platonic basis.

When Michael and I started dating,
we had both been living in the dorms on campus and opposite sexes were not
allowed in each other’s rooms. When we got out of college, we got an apartment
together knowing we were making plans to get married. After his death, there
had been no one.

Even though
this
technically
wasn’t a romantic hookup, it was just two old friends reconnecting. People did
this all the time on social media. But, my body still buzzed with excitement.

If he was still hanging around, I
didn’t want him to think something was wrong with my car and come over, so I
started it up and pulled out. When I checked my rearview, he wasn’t in the lane
any longer where I left him. Shifting the car into drive, I headed home to get
there before he did.

Forty-five minutes later, I was
coming downstairs just having changed out of my work clothes when my doorbell
sounded. I could not fight back the smile on my face when I pulled open the
door. Even as I kept telling myself, this is just a meeting of two old
acquaintances. Nothing more.

There he stood, still dressed in his
work clothes minus the tie. All six foot plus of ‘Oh, My Gracious’, he was
strikingly handsome. Those amazing green eyes stared down at me and the ever
ready smile on his lips made my heart flutter.

“Hello there, Mr. Cale.”

“I think if we’re having steak and
wine,” he held up a butcher paper-wrapped package in one hand and a bottle in
the other, “We should revert to first names. Is that cool, Gabrielle?”

Hearing my name roll off his tongue
made my mouth parched, for him. “That’s fine. Come on in, Sloane.” I stepped
back and allowed him to enter my townhouse.

“You look comfortable and nice. I
feel as if I should have gone home and changed.” His gaze took in my jean skirt
and tank top.

“No need for all that.” At that
moment I would have enjoyed seeing what he looked like in jeans and a chest
hugging t-shirt, but I kept that to myself.

“This is a very nice area.”

Shutting the door, I said, “I like
it. Even though it is closer to NCU than I want to be, it works. The price was
right for me to save for a house in the next couple years for my son and me.
Let me show you to the grilling station.”

“I’m right behind you.”

I gave him a brief tour of the house
on our way to the back where the kitchen was located. There was only the living
room, a family room, a small dining room off the kitchen and a half bathroom on
this floor.

“The patio is a great size for a
summer barbeque.” Sloane stepped out onto the veranda after me. The night had
become a little dark and cool in the time I had gotten home. It was still a
beautiful spring night, but it was easy to tell summer weather hadn’t made an
appearance yet. Thank God, winter had finally left a month ago.

Staring around the large enclosed
yard, I said, “It is a big part of the reason I like the townhouse so much. It
allows Jason the space to run wild.”

“You always have to plan for the
kids.”

I faced him. “Do you have any?” I
wasn’t sure if that was kosher to ask a friend you hadn’t seen in a while, but
I figure he already knew so much about me, I wanted to get to know him better.
A lot better than I had in high school. I was still shocked he’d checked me out
back then.

He shook his head. “Nope. I want
about three one day.”

Folding my arms under my breasts, I
asked, “How does a hot guy—”

Giving me a crooked smile, he asked,
“You think I’m hot?”

Rolling my eyes, I sighed loud.
Dropping the conversation for now, I pointed to the black grill in the corner
of the cement patio. “There’s the grill. The charcoal is in the plastic tub
beside it and the lighter fluid is in the kitchen.”

“I’ll get the coals started and then
come in and prep the meat.” He passed the two items in his hand to me.

“Great. I can get the sides going
and put the wine in the freezer for a quick chill.” Going back into the house,
I took care of the bottle and set the meat on the counter. I laughed to myself
at the paper wrapped meat. Only a man would go to the grocery store and not get
a bag for his purchases. Even with one thing, that wasn’t a pack of gum or a
drink, it went into a plastic bag for most people.

“Lighter fluid.” Sloane angled his head
around the side of the sliding door.

“One sec.” I went to the pantry and
pulled the fluid down from the top shelf and took it to him. “Now, if your
skills are good, I may hire you for my first summer cook out.”

“Prepare to be impressed.” He winked
then was gone.

As I rinsed and cut the fresh
broccoli, I could hear him outside. Even though I had my mind set on an evening
alone, I had to admit it was nice having company over. I knew I could have
invited Marisa for a girls' night, but having a man in my space was more
comforting.

I reminded myself not to get too
used to it, because this was a one night thing. Maybe months down the road,
we’d grab a coffee together but probably nothing more. Once old associates
caught up on the years in between, what was left to say?

“The fire is going. Now, time to
marinate.” He called out a list of things he would need and I was happy I had
them on hand.

Placing the veggies on the stove, I
watched him work. Michael wasn’t a cooker at all. Generally, he stayed far away
from the kitchen until food was ready and on the table. I enjoyed standing side
by side with a man who wasn’t too macho to know his way around the kitchen.

“You’re not trying to steal my
secret recipe, are you?” He eased the lime and zester along his far side as if
to hide it.

“Worcestershire, olive oil, black
pepper, coarse sea salt, paprika and the zest of one whole lime.” I continued
peeling the sweet potatoes I was going to make home fries with.

“You sneak. Now I’m going to have to
think of a way to keep those pretty lips sealed so you won’t go giving the
information away.” He hip checked me lightly.

My mind had gone to mush. I just
kept thinking of him sealing my lips with his. I had never wanted to know what
it was like to kiss a man so bad until Sloane Cale stood in my kitchen flirting
with me.

Seeing my gaze on his mouth, his
eyes darkened to an intense green; the color of fresh summer grass.

I thought the tone was perfect since
I could so easily find myself lost for hours in his gaze. Taking a breath, I
stepped back, too far because I bumped into the counter behind us.

He reached out to help me. “Whoa, be
careful. You all right?”

I dodged his hand and stooped down
to get a frying pan in a lower cabinet. “Yup, great. Just a little clumsiness.”
I stayed down there a lot longer than necessary. The item I needed was directly
in front of me but I wanted a moment to get myself together.

“You need help?”

Finally, I rose and exhaled. “Found
it.” Waving the pot and its accompanying lid I placed it on the stove.

He stared at me, perplexed, but
didn’t say anything as he stood leaning back against the counter while his meat
absorbed the seasonings.

I added butter and olive oil to the
heating pan. Trying to break the tension, I asked, “Can you please get me an onion
and an apple out of the crispers.”

“You got it.” He didn’t move
immediately, but finally he turned and got the things I requested.

With his back to me, I placed a hand
on my quivering belly. This man was too intense to be around without feeling
like my body was going out of control.

“You want me to cut them up as
well?”

“That would be great.” The cubed
potatoes went into the melted butter combination and I stirred it before
placing the lid on top. “Thinly slice them if you will, please. The sweet potatoes
will take a little while to soften and brown, but everything should be ready
when the steaks are done.”

“Perfect.” He glanced over his
shoulder and smiled.

I returned it. “How about some wine?
Or do you want to wait until dinner is done?”

He continued to slice the onions. “A
glass now would work. Maybe even help you relax some.”

Busted
. “Sorry, it’s been so long since
I’ve had a dat—Mixed company, that I feel a little out of sorts.”

Setting the knife down, he turned
and faced me. “Well, whatever this is. I promise to be a perfect gentleman.”

Oh, great.
I pouted internally. I didn’t want
to be mauled, but I didn’t want to be ignored either. Hell, I didn’t really
know what I wanted. “Thanks.” I forced more cheer to my voice than I felt was
needed.

I pulled the glasses out of the top
shelf of my dishes cabinet, grabbed the electric opener and took the bottle out
of the freezer. Once the cork was removed, I filled the glasses and set one
before Sloane on the counter then returned the wine to the freezer until the
meal was ready.

“What should we toast to?” The onion
and apples were sliced and he was holding his glass before him looking at me
when I turned around.

“Um, I’m not sure. I’m always
terrible at thinking of something short and witty.” I picked up my glass then
leaned against the counter beside him.

“How about this…” He raised his
glass slightly. “To a phenomenal, beautiful woman that I have been blessed to
have come back into my life. May this be a first night of many.”

His sweet and thoughtful words made
my insides quiver and caused my hands to tremble. I could easily imagine more
nights with this man and all the things we could find to do beyond cooking. To
keep those thoughts at bay, I lifted my wine and said, “To friendship.”

He nodded and clinked my glass with
the rim of his.

Bringing the goblet to my mouth, I
groaned. My words sounded so empty and blasé compared to his. I didn’t want him
to think I took this time with him lightly, even if we were only going to be
friends. Lowering it, I said, “Thanks for joining me for dinner. I don’t get a
lot of opportunity to have an adult evening.”

“I’m glad to be here.” He took
another drink from his wine then set it down. “I should get these steaks on the
racks.”

He went out the door with the plate
filled with the meat.

Seeing the water was boiling with
the broccoli, I heavily salted the water and vegetable then placed a lid on it
and moved it off the burner. Next, I removed the top to the potatoes, added the
onions and apples and turned the heat up to get it all crisp and brown
together.

Fifteen minutes later, Sloane and I
had both our plates prepared.

“Everything looks good.”

“I agree. My mouth is watering just
looking at it.” Taking the wine out of the freezer, I topped off our wine
goblets. “If you could take the food to the table, I’ll bring the glasses.”

“You got it.” He grabbed the plates
and headed out of the kitchen.

With two glasses and the bottle in
hand, I followed behind him.

“Oh, my goodness,” I moaned after
taking the first bite of steak. It was tender and succulent. The flavor married
together perfectly, but it was the citrus punch of the lime that took it over
the top for me.