“What? You’re the one who started it.”
“But I didn’t think you’d end it with an orgasm in the shower joke.”
Safely in the truck, I knew my cheeks were bright red.
“As I’ve given you an orgasm in my shower before, I don’t see the problem here.”
“Oh my God,” I mumbled, shaking my head. “You know, I’m getting better about freely talking about sex, but sometimes I can’t help but giggle like a schoolgirl.”
“It’ll only get worse once I start giggling like a schoolgirl,” he said dryly, and I laughed.
“Only two more weeks of exams, and then we’re finally free.”
“Until the next semester.”
“And the next,” I said, sighing. “So, what are you doing for the holidays?” I asked as we made our way south from downtown Denver to the university.
“Staying here as usual. I’ll be working most of the time, but we’re closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We want to make sure the family and staff have a chance to spend time with their families.”
“That’s great. I love that some places are open because not everybody has somewhere to go, but since yours is family-owned and operated, it makes sense that you guys want to spend time together.”
“Brendan’s pretty sure we lose money in the deal, but even he has to agree that sometimes family is more important than profit.” He paused as he turned into his driveway. “Just don’t let him know I said that aloud.”
I laughed and got out of the truck as he turned it off. “I promise I won’t say that. However, you know he thinks it, too.”
“Of course, he does. But it’s a lot more fun to picture him as this money-hungry, egocentric dude.”
“I’m sure it is,” I said dryly. Dillon picked up my bag, and we made our way inside.
Mackenzie and Sanders were already in the kitchen, Sanders working behind Mackenzie as they cleaned up their meal dishes.
“Hey, you two, how was dinner?” Mackenzie asked.
“Amazing,” I said, leaning over to hug my new friend around the shoulders as her hands were filled with soapy water.
“Next time, you’re going to have to bring us,” Sanders said. “I’ve heard good things about your brother’s food, and I’m a little jealous.”
Dillon smiled. “He was saying that he wanted to do another meal tasting for the restaurant. Maybe I’ll get him to agree to add my roommates.”
He looked over at Mackenzie. “And their girls.”
“Thank you,” Mackenzie said dryly. “I would hate to miss out on the Aiden Connolly’s food.”
Dillon blinked, and I laughed at the expression on his face. “I wouldn’t say the Aiden Connolly in front of Aiden, though, Dillon may freak out.”
“I’m just saying. We don’t need his ego any bigger than it already is.”
“What? My parents took me to the restaurant where he was the chef before everything changed, and it was so good. It doesn’t live up to what it used to be, though, at least according to my parents. They were back last week and said the food has gone downhill.”
I leaned into Dillon as he nodded. “We’ve heard that, too. And I think Aiden is a little conflicted about it.”
I frowned and looked up at him. “Why?”
“Because he didn’t leave the restaurant on the best terms because of the way that they treated him. But it was his other home for years. He doesn’t want to see it go downhill, but I think he also likes the fact that it’s obvious he was so needed.”
“That makes sense.”
“Anyway, we’re headed up for the night. We’re completely full and could use the time to just digest,” Dillon said, and I knew I blushed.
From the way Mackenzie and Sanders looked at us, they knew what we were about to do.
“Everybody’s already in their rooms for the night. Pacey still has an exam in the morning, and I think Tanner and Miles have that huge paper due for their joint class in economics.”
“Oh, I have to take that class next semester,” I said, shuddering. “Is it going to be hard?”
“From the way Miles and Tanner were both going on, it sounds like the end of the world,” Sanders said dryly.
“Yay, something to look forward to.”
We said our goodbyes, and I slid my hand into Dillon’s as we made our way upstairs.
Feeling like I was at home, even in a place that wasn’t mine, was so comforting.
We were still doing our best not to talk about exactly who we were to each other and where we were going in our relationship, but we were also more comfortable with one another. As if we were finding new levels to who we were together, without letting ourselves get too caught up in titles and labels.
Neither of us had mentioned spending the holidays together, but we lived in the same town and would see each other. Still, I would be forced to go to my parents’ for Christmas, and I didn’t want Dillon subjected to that. And I hadn’t been invited to his place, other than casual remarks of them seeing me around.
We weren’t ready for that kind of step, and I was fine with that.
I didn’t want to think about it too hard, though, or I would stress myself out again and complicate things.
Dillon set my bag on the loveseat in the corner and rolled his shoulders back. “Did you have fun tonight?” he asked, and I smiled.
“I had a great time. And not only because Aiden is one of the best chefs I’ve ever met. It’s a privilege to eat his food.”
“As I said, don’t tell him that, or he’s going to get a big ego.”
“I thought you said he already did.” Dillon shrugged and came forward, slowly brushing my hair away from my face.
“He does, but I guess he’s a Connolly. It’s inherent.”
“And yet, I don’t think you do.”
“That’s not what my brothers or roommates would say.”
“Maybe, but you also seem to have some sense of humility. And you mentioned once that you’d thought about becoming a chef, but I didn’t know you were good enough for Aiden to even talk about.”
Dillon shrugged and blushed again.
“Well, I don’t have anywhere near his talent, but I was learning.”
He kept brushing my hair back from my face, slowly leading me towards the bed as he did. I didn’t mind. It was what I wanted. And this felt normal, like coming home.
I was happy.
For the first time in a long time, I felt happy.
“If you ever want to cook for me, I’d love to taste-test.”
“Anything you want, Elise. Anything.”
And then he kissed me.
I returned the kiss, slowly running my hands up and down his back.
When he gently placed me on the bed, lifting my legs so I didn’t have to make an effort to get onto the mattress, I sank into him, wanting more. He tasted of dinner and all Dillon. I loved his flavor, and I knew if I weren’t careful, I could love everything about him.
So, I didn’t think about that. I just let myself live in the moment.
That was something I needed to remind myself over and over again. That I needed to live in the moment.