Page 35 of Indulging Temptation (Tempting the Heart #1)
We both pause, and a light-headedness wraps around my head as I try to correct myself to not come off so obvious or creepy. “Uh, you know what I mean, cook for you.”
The nerves wreaking havoc on my body diminish, replaced by what I think some people refer to as butterflies, when she smiles at me. But not just any smile. Not even a friendly, happy smile. No, the grin she has shooting my way is unmistakably flirtatious and sexy as all hell.
“You can feed me if you’d like. I mean, I could think of worse things than to have you cook and feed me.”
Goddamnit woman, what are you doing to me? Over here throwing mixed signals my way, left, right, and center, and I’m chasing after each one, clinging on for dear life.
“You got it.” I wink.
I eagerly head to the fridge to grab the eggs so I can prepare them for her how she likes while she showers.
Tomás is still in the kitchen, but he’s splitting his attention between his two phones and laptop, so he’s too busy to see the way my jaw drops when Lorena finally graces us with her presence.
If I thought she looked sexy in her workout clothes, that doesn’t hold a candle to how she looks now wearing a silk sleeveless shirt tucked into a black form fitting skirt that stops mid-shin while hugging her every curve, pouring herself a cup of the coffee I was just about to get for her with a freshly lit joint in her hand.
I didn’t know she smoked weed . She just keeps getting more perfect, if that’s even possible.
Feeling my eyes on her, she turns around. “What?” she says, bashfully. “You can’t tell me with the way you smoke you’re going to give me shit for taking a hit or two.”
“Of course not, who am I to judge?”
I place her food on the island, and she walks over to sit in front of it. I can’t help but admire how stunning she looks as she delicately wraps her lips around the joint before offering it to me.
I look over at Tomás, who is still engulfed in work, because I know he’ll have something to say about me smoking before heading into the restaurant, especially with the judge coming, but a hit or two would surely take the edge off and help me get in the zone.
Lorena looks over to her brother, swatting her hand in the air. “Oh please, fuck him.” She laughs. “You’re a big boy, do what you want.”
“Mhm.” I flash her an intentionally cocky grin, unable to help myself. “That I am.” My brows raise in confirmation.
She inhales, holding her breath for a second before she responds. “Anyway, just one hit. No more. I want you sharp for when the judge comes in today.”
“I’m just glad you remembered and decided to come back to the restaurant today.”
“It’s my job to remember, silly.” She’s downplaying this. Likely because we’re within ear shot of Tomás, but I know it’s more than that. Whether it’s delusion fueling that belief or otherwise.
I suck in a hit, leaning my elbows on the island, closing the gap between us.
As I exhale, I respond. “True, but to offer me one of my favorite hybrid strains, Jack the Ripper, you not only remembered, but you also care.” Inside I’m dying as I say it, but something that I’ve perfected over the years of competing on TV and doing interviews is that I know how to mask it and amp up my charm, which I’m doing right now.
“Yes, I know. You got me there,” she says with an inviting wink. “But don’t get too excited, I stole it from your stash. You shouldn’t keep pre-rolls so accessible, someone might just help themselves.”
My heart flutters.
“Mama, what’s mine is yours. You can help yourself to whatever you heart desires. Weed and all.”
She simply grins in response and it’s enough to reinvigorate me, and lighten my mood. Joint hanging from my lips, I rub my palms together. “Okay then. It’s settled. You, me, in my car in fifteen minutes.”
The flush from before returns on her face.
“Tino,” she gasps.
“So I can drive you in, since you’ve been avoiding me, remember?”
She laughs it off, but I can tell I got to her.
I watch as she enjoys every bite of the food I prepared for her.
I take my phone out, trying to play it off like I’m not staring at her, though it’s impossible not to want to stare when she’s so close to me.
When she turns her head in my direction, I quickly turn mine away, again feeding into the illusion that I haven’t been gawking at her.
Lorena extends her hands, first snapping for my attention before motioning for me to give her back the joint.
She takes another hit before extinguishing it on her almost empty plate.
I reach my hand over to the last piece of egg, and I lift it up towards her mouth. Much to my surprise, and relief, she leans forward, opening her mouth for me to place the last bite in.
Eyes glued to one another, she chews her food. “Gracias,” she hums.
“De nada.”
“That was delicious.”
Yes, it was.
“But you could’ve used a fork.”
I shrug, and that cocky grin of mine comes back full force. “I could have, but then I wouldn’t be able to get as close as I wanted to those pretty lips of yours again.”