Page 28

Chapter

Twenty-Five

HADLEY

“Okay, if you put everything away, I’ll start the stir-fry prep.” Jonas bustles around the kitchen and I do my best to focus on my task and not his butt in his athletic shorts. But who could resist that?

I bite my lip. “I thought you were going to teach me how to make it, not do it for me.”

Jonas nods. “That’s fair. We’ll swap. But I don’t know where you want all these groceries.” He gestures at the mountain of plastic sacks on the kitchen counter.

I shrug. “Wherever. What should I do?”

“Um, grab the stir fry ingredients, a skillet, a cutting board, and a decent knife.”

I pull up a playlist on my phone and hum along with Taylor as I get the supplies Jonas listed.

“Hads, where should this go?” He holds up my smoked gouda mac and cheese and rolls his eyes. “The trash?”

“As if!” I leap towards him and grab the box, crashing into him and laughing. “Don’t you dare insult my delicious boxed dinner!”

“I thought we were teaching you to be better than this.” He shakes his head, keeping me upright with his arm around my waist.

“Well yeah, but one meal at a time. If I master stir fry, I’ll still need other options.”

“ If ?” he stresses. “ If ? You doubt I can teach you how to do this?”

I stare into his laughing eyes and want to kiss him again.

Why is that all I can think about whenever he’s near?

I couldn’t keep my hands off him in the frozen foods aisle around small children.

And now we’re alone in the kitchen. Is this the moment to make a move and invite him to see what’s cooking in my bedroom?

Ugh. As long as I don’t use that line.

Because Jonas hasn’t pushed, hasn’t asked about that. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to take the first step and initiate.

Jonas stretches to put a box of cereal on the top shelf in the pantry, and his shirt rides up, exposing a sliver of tan skin at his back. Yummy.

He holds up the macaroni again, shaking his head. “I can’t get over your grocery shopping habits.”

“Habits? What’s wrong with them?” I ask, momentarily distracted from my seduction plans. What’s he talking about?

“I’ve never seen anyone buy stuff like this or spend money without thinking.” He spreads his arms wide, encompassing the bags on the counter.

I flush. “Are you criticizing me, Joe? Because we haven’t even started the cooking lesson yet, and you promised no judgments.”

“You’re right, I did.” He crosses the kitchen to reach me and drops the sweetest of kisses on my nose. Like a boyfriend would. My belly swoops. “You can buy whatever groceries you want, I apologize. It’s different from what I’m used to, but I shouldn’t have implied it’s bad.”

“That’s better.” Turns out Jonas apologizing is the hottest version yet.

I smile at him, and I want to grab the back of his neck and plant one on him.

I want to climb him like a tree and have my way with him.

But the food’s all over the kitchen. There will be time for sex later.

Clearing my throat, I smooth my palms over the soft fabric of his t-shirt, stretched across his pecs. “Now, about that stir fry?”

Jonas is a great teacher. Patient and kind, he explains why we’re doing things without being condescending. He shows me the steps and lets me practice, giving lots of compliments and encouraging smiles.

As I take my first bite of the meal we made together, I moan. “Joe, this is amazing. Will you write down the recipe for me?”

He shrugs and licks a spot of sauce off his lip, making me clench my thighs together. “I don’t have any measurements. It’s whatever looks right.”

“But I don’t know what looks right if I haven’t done it before.”

He nods. “Makes sense. I’ll see what I can do. But a lot of cooking is about what feels right.”

He’s not making an innuendo—he’s not that kind of guy. But boy, do I wish he was. I definitely want to do all the things with him that would feel right.

I hum and take a sip of my water. “Thanks again. What should we make next?”

He’s thoughtful as he chews and swallows. “Spaghetti is good. And a simple baked chicken would be useful. I’ll make us a list.”

My chest warms at the thought of future adventures with him in the kitchen. Or anywhere, really. His brown eyes twinkle at me and my stomach swoops.

I clear my throat. “I’d like to repay the gesture and thank you for your time. Is there anything I can teach you? Or do for you?”

I’m pretty proud of the way I don’t make it sound like I’m offering sexual favors. Although if he was asking, I’d say yes. Is it too much to hope that he takes it that way?

Jonas shrugs and gives me his closed-mouth smile. “I wouldn’t say no to another episode of Love Island tonight.”

“Really?” My mouth drops open.

“I can’t admit to the guys I’m addicted to it. But if it’s your idea and I’m watching with you…” He trails off, blushing, and it’s so adorable, I’m pretty sure part of my anatomy spontaneously combusts.

“I’m your beard. Got it.”

He laughs, and it’s become one of my favorite sounds. “I’m not sure that’s how I’d phrase it.”

“How would you say it, then?” I raise my brows, and our teasing banter fills my chest with happiness.

“Mmm, two friends just watching TV. That’s all.”

“Friends?”

If possible, his blush deepens. “Well, yeah. Can’t give away that we might be anything more.”

“Then it’s a good thing no one is around.

” I lean in for a kiss, pouring out all the passion that’s pent up inside me.

Lips still locked, he stands up from his stool, bringing me with him.

He catches me when I jump, wrapping my legs around his waist, and the evidence is clear—he wants this as much as I do.

Who cares about the dishes? They’ll be there later.