Page 100 of Igniting Sparks

His chest shakes with laughter. “I think you’ve earned a meal.”

I lift my head and grin. “Then I want you for dessert. And breakfast. And maybe brunch, if I don’t let you sleep. How does that sound?”

He kisses me, a half-smile tugging at his lips. “Let’s start with dessert. We’ll figure out the rest.”

“You know what? Steaks tastewaybetter at 2:30 in the morning.” I grin, stretching my legs across Braden’s knee as we eat on the screened-in porch.

I’m not joking. Great food and a glass of Chablis make everything better.

Throw in a gorgeous man and the most mind-melting night between the sheets, and I’m convinced this is peak living.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

“Agreed,” Braden replies, lifting my leg to kiss the top of my foot. “You were fucking spectacular.”

I shoot him a coy wink. “I have an excellent teacher.”

Look, I’m new to the sex thing. The other nights, I let Braden take the lead—and damn, he is one hell of a leader.

But tonight? Tonight was all about him.

I worshipped him the way he always worshipped me.

And judging by the satisfied grin he’s been wearing ever since, he appreciated the switch-up.

Though something tells me he plans to return the favor.

Not that I’m complaining.

He glides his hands along my calves, his touch so warm and protective. “Do you know when I realized I was in love with you?”

My eyes fly open at the mention of that word. “You’re in love with me?”

Braden snorts and nods. “Yes. I’m in love with you.”

I scramble off my seat and onto his lap, needing to be closer. “Really?”

“Really, really,” he says, like it’s the simplest truth in the world.

That’s it. I can die happy now.

“Here I was, planning several more performances like the one earlier to butter you up. Ease you into the idea.”

He pulls me tighter, his lips gliding along my neck. “Oh, you can definitely do that again. Many more times.”

“Right now?”

“No. Right now is all about you.”

I nudge his face up, nipping his lower lip. “All about us.”

He pauses, eyes soft, hands gentle as he brushes the hair from my face. “Us. I like that term.”

“Me too. So… when did you know?”

A hint of color creeps up his cheeks. “That night on the dock. You remember—the night of the shark attack?”

I smack his chest and laugh. “Not one of my finer moments.”