I liked it here.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist, drawing me against a hard chest. Noah dropped his chin into my neck. “Thank you for tonight. You have no idea what you did. You…amaze me, Dani.”

“I like to bake.”

“You just made dinner service one of the best we’ve had all season. The customers all raved over your desserts. I wanted to bring you out to take a bow, but Callie told me to leave you alone.”

“I’m glad I could help. I don’t need to take a bow.”

He spun me in his arms, pulling me close. “How about my own personal thank you?”

“That, I’d like.”

He cupped my face, staring at me intently then lowering his mouth to mine, breathing my name. His kiss was different from earlier. It was slow, deep, and filled with an emotion I couldn’t identify. His tongue explored my mouth gently, his taste overwhelming me. He moaned low in his throat, sliding his hands around my neck, his thumbs stroking my skin in small circles. I gripped his shoulders, surrendering myself to him totally. It was intense, deep, and sweetly passionate. Unexpected tears sprang to my eyes at the feelings he stirred in me. When he drew back, pulling my head against his chest, I could hear his heart thundering under my ear, and he nuzzled my hair, holding me close.

“What you do to me, Dani.”

“I don’t…” I trailed off.

“You do,” he stated firmly. “You just do.”

Gabe’s voice boomed out. “Hey! If you can tear yourselves away from each other, dinner is ready!”

Stepping back, he reached for my hand. “Come on, my girl. Let me feed you again.”

I tilted my head to the side.

“What?”

“You keep calling me your girl.”

He ran his thumb under my damp eyes. “I would have thought, after today, that was a given. You are. At least, I want you to be—if you want to be.”

“I’d like that.”

“Then it’s settled.” He smiled. “Mine.”

I slid into the chair beside Noah, my stomach grumbling at the sight and aroma of the delicious food. Noah poured wine for everyone, topping up my glass. He lifted his glass high.

“To another successful week of service.”

I lifted my glass to toast them, when Callie spoke. “To the most successful dessert course we’ve ever had.”

I blushed at her words and the murmured assents from everyone. Noah winked at me, his grin wide. He lifted a platter, holding it for me.

“Help yourself.”

Dinner was incredible. The roast was studded with garlic and herbs and melted in my mouth. The spicy beans that I helped pick were crisp and fresh, and the potatoes tossed with dill, refreshing. Every bite was spectacular. The red wine sauce was so delicious I wanted to eat it with a spoon. I settled for mopping it up with chunks of the soft rosemary-infused bread from the basket.

The wine flowed freely, and I was sure I’d never laughed so hard in my life. Gabe was a born entertainer and loved to tell stories. He and Noah joked around, trading “remember when” antics about growing up.

“The first time Noah helped out in the garden, he decided if one seed and a little water were good, a bunch of seeds and a lot of water were better,” Gabe informed me with a sly smile. “It took days to dry out that section of the garden. The herbs needed thinning constantly.”

“You were supposed to be watching over me,” Noah responded. “I think you were busy in the pen with Sally.”

“Sally?” I asked.

“His pet pig.” He winked. “She disappeared one day, never to be seen again.”

I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.

“She was cute and liked me.” Gabe looked at me, serious. “She ran away and joined the circus. Mom told me.”

The entire table laughed.

“We had the best-tasting bacon all summer,” Noah said dryly. “Gabe refused to eat it. Dad warned him not to make friends with the pigs.”

I nodded, trying not to laugh at his expression. “Right.”

I glanced at Noah, who leaned close to my ear. “Sally actually went to another farm by accident. One of the staff made a mistake. But we liked to tease him. He boycotted bacon for an entire year.”

“Just bacon?” I asked quietly. “What about other pork products?”

“He wasn’t that bright as a kid,” Noah deadpanned. “He only associated bacon with pigs. Mom started eliminating the word pork when she would tell us what was for dinner. Chops or ribs, she’d say.”

I gave up and laughed.

I learned that Callie and John were high school sweethearts. Gabe and Ella met in university. Gabe was the oldest, Callie born two years after him. Noah was four years her junior. They were obviously a tight-knit group and were all very fond of one another.

I also discovered, thanks to the scene John stumbled on, I had now earned the nickname Sprout with all of them. Even Noah snickered over that.

Tags: Melanie Moreland Erotic
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