Page 53 of King of Pain

I swallow nervously. “Oh, that? Just something from a past life.”

Ant’s brow furrows, his curiosity clearly piqued. “Well, it’s beautiful.”

I cock my head, a smirk tugging at my lips. “No, you are.”

He averts his eyes, and the pink in his cheeks deepens to a full blush. “I—uh—thanks. I mean—”

He stumbles over his words, looking everywhere but at me. Fuck, even his fumbling is sexy, and those lips wrapped around the rim of his coffee mug… it’s killing me. I need a taste.

Finally, he sets his mug down and says, “Thanks for the coffee. I’m going to get ready. Then I’m gonna head to the grocery. Text me your list. I’m buying. Least I can do.”

Before I can protest, he’s scurried off to the hall bathroom, the door clicking shut behind him.

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head as I take another sip of coffee. He’s flustered, no doubt about it. But it feels a little less guarded than when I first started flirting with him.

Progress.

Leaning back against the counter, I glance at the closed bathroom door, my mind whirring. I don’t think I’m crazy. Ant is attracted to me. He just doesn’t want to admit it or face it yet. But the way his eyes linger, the way he blushes when I flirt, it’s all there.

Smiling to myself, I take another sip of coffee. This is going to be fun.

It’s been a little over a week since Ant moved in. He’s been gone some of that time for an away game, but I’ve still gotten used to having him here. The apartment feels warmer, more alive. Little G likes having him here too, and honestly, who wouldn’t?

For most of the day, the apartment has smelled incredible. Ant started cooking this morning, leaving a pot of something simmering on the stove before heading to class. I don’t know what it is, but the rich, savory aroma has been driving me crazy all day.

When the door finally opens in the late afternoon, Ant steps inside carrying a couple of overflowing brown paper grocery bags. He looks fucking hot in a fitted T-shirt and jeans, his hair adorable mussed, as always. I want to grip two fistfuls while he drills into me—.

“Hey,” I say, shaking those thoughts off. I get up from the couch where I’ve been pretending to watch TV. “Need help with that?”

“Yeah, thanks,” he replies, handing me a bag.

I follow him into the kitchen, setting the bag on the counter and glancing at the pot on the stove. “So, what’s going on here? Whatever’s in that pot smells amazing.”

Ant gives me a small smile as he starts unpacking. “It’s sauce for lasagna. I figured I’d make dinner since we both have the night off. I went out and picked up some fresh veggies for salad and a loaf of Italian bread. Oh, and I got a bottle of red one of the vendors from Vino & Vinyl recommended.”

“Lasagna?” I say, raising an eyebrow. “You’re making a whole Italian feast, huh?”

He shrugs, looking beautifully shy. “It’s, uh, it’s not a big deal.”

“It is when it smells that good,” I reply, grinning. “My mouth’s been watering all day, Pacini.”

“Oh, um, that’s my all-day sauce. It’s the most important part of a good lasagna.”

I can’t help myself.

I lean down, lower my voice, and activate smolder mode. “I can’t wait to taste your sauce, Beautiful,” adding a wink for good measure.

He sputters, eyes widening as he fumbles the head of lettuce in his hands, sending it tumbling to the floor.

Suppressing a laugh, I drop to my knees in front of him, grab the lettuce, and look up, extending it to him with an innocent expression and bat my lashes. “You dropped something,” I say, my tone laced with playfulness.

He snatches the lettuce from my hand and quickly turns away. I push myself to my feet, trying not to smirk too much as I watch him busy himself with the salad like his life depends on it. Fucking hell, he’s sweet.

As I put away the remaining groceries and he finishes the salad, I notice how smoothly we move around each other in the small kitchen. It’s like we’re in sync, reading each other’s next moves without a word.

“How long until dinner?” I ask, leaning back against the fridge, watching him stir the sauce.

“I’m going to open this wine and let it breathe,” he says, grabbing the bottle, “then start on the garlic bread. The lasagna won’t take long once I cook the meat and noodles, prep the ricotta, put it all together, and bake it. Maybe 45 minutes in the oven.”