Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
“Making a stew.”
“Stew. That’s so…manly of you.”
“It’s the one thing I know how to make really well. Hope you’re hungry.”
Was I ever, albeit not for food. But I’d take it.
The ambience in Brock’s place really hit the mark tonight. Cozy. He had a fire going in a small pellet stove. And Oak was nestled on the couch, taking up most of the space. I’d describe the vibe as warm and welcoming, were it not for the taxidermy heads that always put a damper on things. Even now, they were looking at me…
I chose to ignore them and took a deep breath of the spicy scent. “Well, thank you for cooking and for having me here. I could most definitely get used to this.”
He shook his head. “You’d tire of it fast. I imagine your dinners in the City are a bit fancier than stew in a crockpot.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t make them any better. Going out gets old. This is novel. I can’t remember the last time a man made me a home-cooked meal.”
“Well, don’t get too used to it, unless you like stew. I don’t have a big repertoire. Beef stew is pretty much it. Maybe a little pasta and red sauce.”
“I like that, too.” I winked. “But sadly, I don’t have enough time left to get used to anything.”
He frowned. “That’s true.”
“Honestly, not once since I’ve been here in Meadowbrook have I missed my life in the City. That’s saying something.”
“But you’re still going back.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Let’s not put a damper on this night by reminding ourselves.”
“I can agree to that.” He nodded. “Let’s keep it upbeat tonight.”
Brock set the table and served us each a steaming bowl of his hearty stew. I was impressed. Not only had he added potatoes and carrots, but some fresh thyme.
“This looks absolutely amazing, Brock.”
“I brought all of the ingredients to make your favorite drink, too, but it doesn’t really go with stew. You want me to make you one, or do you feel like something else?”
Getting even a little buzzed didn’t fit with my mood tonight. “You know, I’d actually like to stay sober.”
“Well, needless to say, after yesterday I’m perfectly okay with that.”
“Anything to drink is fine.”
Brock took two ice-cold seltzers out of the fridge for us. The cold, fizzy liquid complemented the hot stew perfectly.
After Brock served me a second helping, I was totally stuffed. “Mr. Hawkins, that was the tastiest dinner I’ve had in a long damn time.”
“You liked the moose meat, eh?”
My eyes widened. “Moose?”
“That’s what you just ate.”
“It is?” My jaw dropped.
He chuckled. “No, it was regular beef. Relax.”
“Not sure why that freaked me out. Maybe because of the giant moose head that’s been judging me from your wall since the moment I walked in. Don’t want to think about eating the other half of him.”
“I just wanted to see how adventurous you were…”
“I’m adventurous, just not when it comes to what I put in my mouth.” I froze, realizing how that sounded.
He arched a brow. “Interesting…okay. I was kind of hoping for the opposite.” He winked. “Kidding.”
“Oh, I know you are, Mr. Cautious.”
“Don’t tempt me, Red. I don’t have as great a hold over my inhibitions as you seem to think.”
“Well, certainly not with any alcohol in your system, as last night indicated.”
“I had no alcohol in my system when I took your beautiful lips earlier, though. Sober as a judge for that.” He groaned. “If we’d been truly alone, not sure I would’ve stopped there.”
“You’re alone with me now.” I raised an eyebrow. “How are you managing to control yourself?”
“By not starting anything…as much as I want to.”
We moved over to the couch, and I silently willed him to kiss me again. What would be so bad about two adults engaging in a little carnal fun, anyway? No hot mics around here… But my brain answered that question for me: This would be more than just sex for both of us. Our hearts were getting involved, so we had to tread lightly. I’d never gotten attached to anyone in such a short amount of time; this was new for me.
“I know it might seem like I’m not interested in anything serious based on my reckless behavior with Tobias, but I would like to find someone I can spend my life with. I feel like I’ve given you the impression that I’m only out for a good time. I may have divulged too much about the situation that brought me here. But that whole thing was entirely insignificant and separate from my true desires.”
“I’m not judging you, Red. I promise. Despite having made a couple of dumb decisions, you’ve never struck me as someone who takes things lightly. Well, except for jackets. You definitely take wearing a jacket lightly.”
“And you don’t take anything lightly. But I like that about you.”