“Not yet, thank you. I haven’t finished this one.”
“All right.” Perhaps it was just nerves, at least on his part.
“This fish is delicious.” Her compliment rescued his dampening thoughts. “Did you cook it yourself ?”
“Do you think I ordered takeout from Trinity Falls Cuisine to pass off as my own?” Jack’s smile broadened as the blush rose in Audra’s cheeks.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m just having a hard time picturing you behind a stove.”
“Why?”
“It’s not the way I see you. Do you wear an apron?” Her full pink lips curved in a teasing smile that both calmed and aroused him.
He was fascinated by that smile. “How do you see me?”
“Fishing. Hiking. Cutting wood.”
“You’ve never seen me chop wood.”
Audra shrugged. “I can still picture it. But I can’t see you being domestic.”
“You’d be surprised
.”
“Believe me, I am.” She gestured toward her half-eaten dinner. “And impressed.”
Jack’s laughter eased the lingering tension in his neck and shoulders. Now their conversation flowed more naturally. After dinner, he cleared the table, insisting Audra make herself comfortable while she waited for dessert. He returned with coffee and two plates of Boston cream pie.
Audra’s champagne eyes widened. “You bake as well?”
Jack set the coffee and pie in front of Audra. “The pie’s from Books and Bakery.” He offered her a fork before taking his seat.
“Doreen is a wonderful baker.” Audra’s moan of pleasure stirred intimate muscles that had been dormant too long for Jack.
He cleared his throat. “Yes, she is.”
“You cook, you fish, you’re gainfully employed. Why aren’t you married?”
“I don’t get out much.” Jack gave her a wry smile before taking another mouthful of pie.
“Why is that?”
He avoided her eyes. “I like my privacy, but there isn’t much of that in Trinity Falls.”
“But people here admire you. They care about you.”
Jack swallowed more pie. “Are you asking a question?”
Audra considered Jack—the way he shifted on his chair, the way he avoided her eyes. Why did the idea of his neighbors speaking well of him make him uncomfortable? “I suppose I am. Why did you exile yourself to the woods?”
“It’s what I prefer.”
“But why? What happened two years ago that made you choose to live away from people?”
“That’s personal.” His knuckles paled as he gripped his coffee.
“So is sleeping together.” Audra met his gaze. “It’s clear we’re attracted to each other, but I can’t share my body and nothing else. I’m not built that way.”