Make It Last (Friends & Lovers 1)

She cleared her throat. “Um… well, I was wondering if you wanted to do something today. I have to work tonight, but not until five.”

“That would be great. I’m working later tonight, too, because we have inventory, so that works out perfectly.”

Briana swore that she heard a smile in his voice. “Well,” she began, “I was thinking that I could come over and make you lunch. I’ll pick up everything at the market, then come by. Will that work for you?”

“That sounds great.”

“Okay, I’ll be there in a little bit.” She smiled as she disconnected, then ran to the bathroom so she could shower and get ready. She shaved, lotioned, and primped. She put on a red sundress with white sandals and blew her hair dry. She was trying to look effortlessly casual. It took a lot of work.

When she finished she headed to the market and picked up ingredients for Chicken Milano, with fettuccini noodles, salad, and asparagus. As an afterthought she grabbed a bottle of red wine, and headed to the register. She really wanted to impress Colin with this meal.

When she arrived at his place, she felt butterflies in her stomach as she carried the bags up the stairs.

Before she could knock, the door flew open, and Colin stood before her, all sexy and smiling. She took in his bare feet, cargo shorts, and grey T-shirt, before reaching his face and the flash of dimples. It was all she could do not to sigh and stare, but she gathered her wits and smiled up at him, lifting the grocery bags to show him what she’d brought.

He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, as he took the bags from her hands and moved to the side to allow her access inside.

“Hi,” he said as she walked past him.

“Hi,” she said back, her smile still in place.

They walked back in to the kitchen and Colin began taking the items out of the grocery bags. “What do you need me to do?” he asked when everything was lined up on the counter.

“If you want to start cutting the vegetables for the salad, I can get started on the main course. Is it okay if I rummage through your kitchen to find what I need?”

“Sure. Mi casa es su casa. My mom loaded it up when I moved in, so I should have everything that you need.”

“Cool.”

Briana started to prep the chicken. While she worked, she was conscious of Colin standing next to her chopping and building the salad. Her body seemed to hum and her pulse quickened at his nearness. She watched his bicep flex with every slice of the blade, and started to feel lightheaded.

She cleared her throat and focused on the chicken, getting it breaded and placed in the sauce so she could put it in the oven. Once that was done, she put the pasta water on to boil.

“Do you have a grill?” she asked.

He stopped cutting and looked up at her. It seemed like a current passed through the air, and she knew that he was as aware of the sexual tension as she was.

“Hmm?” he asked. “Did you say something?”

She laughed, her eyes blurring a bit as she met his gaze.

“Do you have a grill?” she asked again.

“Yeah. Do you need me to light it up?” he asked, placing the knife on the cutting board and waiting for her answer.

“Um, yeah.” Her lips felt as dry as her mouth and she licked them quickly out of habit. His gaze followed the flick of her tongue and stayed there for a moment, as he hoped she’d do it again. Her throat tightened and she struggled to remember what they were talking about.

“Oh, um… yeah. I wanted to grill the asparagus.”

“Sure.” His movements seemed slow, as he went out the back door to where she assumed he kept his grill.

Briana shook her head to try and clear the fog, then got out the asparagus and coated it with olive oil, pepper, and salt.

When Colin came back in she asked, “Is it gas or do I need to wait for the coals to warm up?”

“It’s gas.”

She picked up the plate of asparagus and walked by him, accidently brushing her arm against his taut stomach. She heard his quick intake of breath, and bit back the groan that started in the back of her throat. She rushed out and put the asparagus on the grill.