“Just…”
I hear the twist of the doorknob in her palm.
Fuck, Ethan, get the words out. Tell her. Don’t ruin what might be the one thing you’ve waited your entire life for.
“Dinner. I owe you a dinner.”
Her face falls, all hope disappears from her eyes. She opens the door a crack.
“Blanca.”
“It’s okay, Ethan. I promise Monday morning will be fine. I won’t make it awkward.”
I can’t imagine not flirting with her. It’d be complete torture to just be her co-worker. I never wanted this, but I can’t walk away from it now.
Beelining across the room, I shut the door and cage her back against it. We’re chest to chest. “I feel it, okay? I do. And I want you here so I can feed you, fuck you, and cherish you. You’re right, I’m terrified because I like you and this thing between us is at a level I’ve never felt before.” I raise my hand to cup her cheek.
Her eyes grow tender and caring after my declaration. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “Just stay. Please.”
Her hand comes over mine on her cheek and she nods. “I’ll stay.”
As a thank you, I bend over and kiss her until we both have no choice but to draw it to a close if we want to breathe. I take her hand and lead her into the kitchen. “I was going to make you Paella. Want to do it together?” I leave her on a stool and open the fridge to grab the ingredients.
“I’d love to.”
My time is limited though. I got her to stay, but she wants more from me or at the very least wants me to allow myself to be in this one hundred percent. I know I’m going to have to try harder, I just don’t know if I can.
Chapter Sixteen
Blanca
The fact that I’ve rarely seen a man in a kitchen is sad, but Mama wasn’t always willing to let my dad help us cook. And my brothers are limited as to what they can do. They can roll the meatballs into balls. Mix the seasoning, chop a vegetable. Other than Dom who took it upon himself to learn how to cook after he moved out of our parents’ house, but still takes a backseat on Sundays, I’ve never witnessed a man work his way through the kitchen quite like Ethan.
He opens the fridge and I sit on the stool because I’m not sure I can help him.
He lays out a bunch of ingredients on the counter and pats the spot right next to it. “Actually, come sit here.”
“That seems unsanitary.” But I don’t argue further because it means I’ll be closer to him. So I slide up on the counter like he asks and he leans over, kissing me briefly. Good decision on my part.
“I’ve already done the prepping.” He turns to the stove and puts some oil into a big pan, then grabs the plastic container with the marinated chicken.
“Who taught you how to cook? Your mom?”
He glances back as his forearm muscles flex while he uses the tongs to turn the chicken. “A little, but she worked a lot. Being the oldest, it fell into my lap and eventually I couldn’t stand the box mac and cheese and frozen dinners anymore.”
“Both your parents worked?”
He picks the chicken up off the frying pan and places it in a dish next to the stove, then drops a bunch of spices into the pan. “My dad was unemployed at times but with the stress of finding a job, I took on the responsibility.” He shrugs.
“Very cool. My brothers never would’ve done that.”
He places the wooden spoon down on the pan and crosses the short distance in his galley kitchen, leaning in until our lips meet. “Sure they would have. Sometimes it’s not a choice.”
“Admirable.” I lock my legs around his waist.
He laughs. “It’ll burn.”
“Hmm… I’m not sure what’s more important. My stomach being empty or my arms.”
“Give me five minutes and then we can have a ten minute break from cooking.” He kisses the soft underside of my jaw and slides out of my grasp until he’s back at the frying pan. He stirs slowly with one hand while dropping a pile of tomatoes into the pan with the other. I love watching the way he’s so attentive and caring with the dish. “Let’s talk about those five lunches I won today.” He smirks over his shoulder.
My stomach flips and flops. “Oh yes. Just think, if you could’ve asked for sexual favors.”
He drops the rice in and adds some water, putting the lid on the pot and adjusting the heat before his hands land on my knees. I watch his long fingers graze up my thighs, parting them so he fits between my legs. “We can change it.”
“Because it would suit you.” I raise an eyebrow.
“You’re telling me you’d get no pleasure from sexual favors?”
I move my head side-to-side. “I can’t very well hide under your desk and open up your slacks.”
He shifts in place. “That’s unfair. Now every time I’m at my desk, I’m going to envision you giving me head.”
I laugh and his hand moves to the back of my head, his fingers flexing in the strands of my hair. “I’m really happy you’re here,” he says.
I’m sure my eyes are all dreamy as his mouth lands on mine. Our kiss is slow, relaxed, and easy. We’re not fighting for dominance. We’re not rushed and it’s the most romantic kiss I’ve experienced in my life.
He backs up and stares at me for a moment. “I’m having a great time.”
I bite my lip. “I am too.”
“Good. Now wait until you taste my food.”
I go to change back into his T-shirt after he says I’m welcome to and for the next twenty minutes or so, I watch Ethan in the kitchen. He brings me a spoon to try the rice before it’s all done and from his intent stare, I know how much it means to him that I enjoy his cooking. How could I not? The guy is pretty skilled.
After dinner, he grabs a carton of cookies ‘n cream ice cream and two spoons and leads me over to the couch. He positions me so that my ass is right next to him and my legs are draped over his lap.
“Best flavor in the world,” I say, digging my spoon into the ice cream.
“One of them.”
“What’s your favorite? I figured it was this.”
“I got this one because it seemed like something you’d like. I’m more of a sorbet guy.”
I poke him with my finger. “Sorbet, huh?” His hand falls to his side and he shakes his head. “Sorry. Habit.”
“What do you want to watch?” He reaches to the side and grabs the remote.
“Whatever.”
He crinkles his eyes. “Gotta love the early stages of a relationship when everyone is so amicable.”
“Relationship?” I raise my eyebrows.
He takes my spoon, puts it in the ice cream and I squeal as he gets me on my back. His body weight feels delicious on top of me. His strong legs nudge my thighs to make room for him.
“I told you, I’m all in.”
I nod. “I guess you’ll have to prove it.”
His hands slide up the hem of his shirt that I’m wearing, shivers running up my bare skin. “Oh, I have many ways to prove it.” He slides down my body, pushing up the T-shirt as his lips fall to my skin.