“I’m starving actually,” she admits. “But you don’t need to cook for me. I mean, I’m already invading your home for a few weeks, I don’t expect you to serve me too.”
I shake my head. “I’m cooking for myself anyway so one more steak on the grill won’t be a big deal,” I say, and note the strange look on her face. “What?”
“Steak? As in, you’re going to eat one of your cows?” she asks and I almost laugh out loud.
“Well, that’s what I’m raising them for. You’re not a vegetarian are you?” I ask.
Sydney shakes her head. “No, but now that I’ve actually been face to face with a cow, I don’t know that I can eat one.”
“Trust me, when you smell it coming off the grill, you’ll change your mind,” I promise her.
She nods and follows me into the house. “If you say so,” she mutters behind me.
I stand on the deck, manning the grill and peek into the back window at Sydney at my kitchen counter. She offered to help with the meal so I told her she could make a salad if she wished. She is gladly chopping vegetables and I find myself turned on by the way she handles the knife. She’s clearly not a novice in the kitchen. I hadn’t expected that.
I take the steaks off the grill and step into the kitchen, letting the aroma of the meat settle over the room. Sydney smiles and I can see the doubt about being able to eat it melt off of her face.
“Ok so you were right. That smells absolutely amazing,” she says.
I open a bottle of red wine and pour us each a glass while we sit down to eat. I watch
Sydney take the first bite of her steak and I can’t help but smile at the look of pure bliss that spreads across her face.
“Oh my God,” she nearly moans. “This is the best steak I’ve ever eaten.”
My chest swells a little at the fact that I have pleased her. I look at her over the rim of my wine glass; I plan on pleasing her a lot more than this. We settle into some easy small talk, which is usually not my thing, but I quickly find that Sydney is much more interesting than I had anticipated.
“After that, I fell in love with skydiving and I do it as often as I can. The rush of it really helps center me,” she is saying.
I look at her curiously. “So, if you’re such an adrenaline junky, why come to what might be the most boring place you can think of to unwind?” I ask her.
She considers for a minute before answering. “It’s been kind of a tough year for me and Nora thought that something low key would be better for me. I have to admit, I’m already feeling much better just being here.”
The way she is looking at me makes my mouth turn dry and I take a healthy gulp of my wine.
“So how exactly do you know my Aunt Nora?” I ask her.
She looks momentarily embarrassed and I think I know the answer before she says it.
“Um, well, she’s my shrink,” she finally says, looking away.
I reach across the table on instinct and take her hand in mine. “Aunt Nora has helped me through some pretty tough times too,” I admit.
Sydney’s green eyes turn to me and I know I’m a goner.
Chapter Sever: Sydney
The feel of Cole’s hand on mine sends a jolt of electricity through my system. His dark eyes are full of genuine understanding and my lower half goes liquid. We stay perfectly still for a few heartbeats, unable and unwilling to break the spell. Finally, Luke comes in the back door and Cole quickly pulls his hand from mine.
Luke takes one look at us and knows he’s interrupted something. He clears his throat and looks at me apologetically.
“Uh, hey. I just wanted to let you know that I put in the feed order and it will be ready tomorrow. I locked up the herd for the night and watered the horses,” he says to Cole, who just nods at his younger brother.
“So, I’ll be going then. You two have a good night,” he says and practically runs out the back door.
Cole clears his throat and stands to take the dishes to the kitchen. I get up and clear the remaining dinner mess and set it on the counter. Cole starts to wash the dishes and I grab a nearby towel to dry. We work in quiet rhythm for a few moments and I can almost hear the hum of electricity coming off of him.
After he puts the last dish away, I set down the towel and turn to flee to my room but Cole’s hand shoots out and grabs my arm. I put up exactly zero fight when he pulls me to him and crushes his mouth to mine. My lips part and allow his tongue to slide over mine as my arms wind around his neck.