Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
I practically flew out the bedroom door and ran down the hall.
Dorian raced up the stairs. “It’s okay.” He panted, holding out his hands. “It’s not a fire.”
“It’s not?”
“Just smoke. I fucking burned dinner. Everything is okay, though.”
“Oh no.” I held my hand over my mouth, trying to hold back laughter as relief coursed through me.
“I knew you’d be scared, so I came up as fast as I could.” He ran his hand over my hair. “You’re dripping. Go back and get dried. I just didn’t want you to worry. I’m sorry about this.”
He looked even more frazzled than I felt after the alarm.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“So much for YouTube tutorials on how to charbroil steak.”
“Oh, man.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry. It’s the thought that counts.”
“Actually, please do your best to erase this from your memory.” He laughed. “Go back and finish your shower.”
“I’ll meet you downstairs in a bit,” I said.
“Take your time. I’ve got the windows open to air out the kitchen.” He brushed his fingertips down my arm, sending a shiver through me. My body buzzed with excitement.
I ran my hand through his hair. “Thank you.” Burning dinner was even more adorable than his attempt at making it.
After completing my shower, getting dressed, and blowing my hair out, I went down to the kitchen, where the aftermath of Dorian’s attempt at dinner remained.
A pile of uncooked asparagus sat on a tray next to a frying pan of something unidentifiable.
“You were gonna make asparagus, too?”
“It would’ve paired well with the steak.” He sighed. “I was trying to recreate the meal you recommended to me the night I ate at your restaurant. It was the one thing I was sure you’d like. See those lumps of charcoal? That’s the steak, by the way. Turns out there’s a fine line between charbroiling and burning.”
I covered my mouth. “I bet it would’ve tasted delicious.”
“Speaking of tasting delicious…” He gave me a once-over. “You’re trying to kill me again with this outfit, aren’t you?”
Shrugging, I grinned impishly. “Well, you said you liked leather.”
“On you? Yeah. The fire alarm may very well go off again.”
“Sorry to say, but if it goes off again, it’s from this lingering smoke.” I coughed.
“That’s what I get for trying to expand my horizons. I need to stick to apple crisp.”
“No one expects you to be a gorgeous, brilliant innovator and also be able to cook.”
“Yeah, but shouldn’t you be suspicious of someone who allegedly designs things, yet can’t even cook a steak properly? Ask yourself that.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “How about we order pizza and forget it?”
“I wouldn’t have suggested something so basic, but pizza sounds good, if that’s what you’re up for.”
“I’m in the mood for pizza and a movie.”
“A girl after my own heart.” He slid his hand down my back. “What do you like on your pizza?”
“Bacon and black olives.”
Dorian squeezed my ass. “You didn’t even have to think about it.”
“Nope. My mom and I always used to order that. It’s our favorite.”
His smile faded. “Remington used to like pizza, too.”
“What was his favorite?” I asked softly.
“Dad liked it plain. We’d order half pepperoni for me and the other half just cheese.”
“Then you should order half pepperoni now.”
“You sure? Will one pizza even be enough?”
“I’m not gonna eat more than a few slices. This corset doesn’t leave much wiggle room.”
“It’s causing my pants to fit tighter, too…” He winked.
After Dorian ordered the pizza, he opened a bottle of red. “This was supposed to be for our steak. According to the sommelier at the wine shop, it paired well with what I was making—which was apparently charcoal.”
I burst out laughing. “The fact that you even wanted to cook for me warms my heart.”
Dorian leaned in to kiss my forehead. “So, while you were in the shower, Benjamin came over after he heard the fire alarm. I had to admit I’d been cooking.”
“What did he think?”
“He couldn’t believe it. He busted my balls and said the next time I wanted to play in the kitchen, I should let him know, and he’d help me make sure I didn’t burn the house down.”
“That’s funny.”
“He asked if you were home, and I told him the dinner was for us. He seemed pretty amused by that, too.”
“Surprised or amused?”
“Oh, not surprised. He seemed to see this coming from a mile away.”
“What is this exactly?”
“Not sure I have a name for it.” He brought me close and leaned his forehead against mine. “Whatever it is, it feels good, though.”
A moment of pure contentment washed over me. “I agree.”
Dorian kissed my nose before taking my mouth. As he bent me back into a passionate kiss, I realized I would’ve been fine with skipping dinner and going upstairs for the rest of the night.
While we waited for the pizza to arrive, I helped Dorian clear out the mess he’d made. When I dropped a couple of pieces of asparagus on the floor, the dogs came racing to fetch the scraps. Tallulah and Tess were so comfortable around Dorian now that I hadn’t noticed they’d been quietly sitting in the corner.