Page 47 of The Stranger

I open the front door and immediately pause on the threshold when I see my new temporary houseguest in the kitchen.

Her back is to me and she’s on the tip of her toes as she reaches up to the upper cabinet that holds the wine glasses. I take a second to admire her as my gaze peruses down the length of her tight little body. A strangled groan rumbles in the back of my throat when my eyes reach her jean shorts.

Fuck me,those shapely legs of hers have my mind going straight to the gutter. If I’m not careful, this woman is going to be my undoing.

I need to enforce a dress code for her when I’m home, which may sound ridiculous, but I think it’s needed.Something nun-like.Especially if I’m going to avoid a redo of my shower escapade the other night. Evenunknowingly, she had me jacking off to images of her. I’m already hanging by a thread as it is. The last thing I need is encouragement from her, even if it’s unintentional. Her mere presence is enough.

Snapping out of my lust-induced haze, I place my briefcase down and stalk across the room.

“Here, let me,” I offer, stepping up behind her. I’m careful to make sure my body does not come into contact with hers as I grab what she needs.

“Thank you,” she says with a sweet smile as she glances up at me from over her shoulder. Even though there is no part of us touching, she’s too damn close … and that intoxicating scent of her shampoo is now invading all my senses.

I place the glass down on the countertop, heavier than I intended, and take a step back, followed closely by another. “Can you get me another one, please? I need two.”

“Sure,” I grumble.

“You seem extra growly this evening … is everything okay?”

“I’m not growly,” I state. “It’s just been a long day.”

“Good thing I was about to pour you one of these then,” she says, reaching for the bottle of wine and filling the glass. Her pretty blue eyes sparkle when she extends her hand to me. I hate how much I love seeing her in my space.

I bring the glass to my lips and take a large gulp.

“Better? she asks.

I grunt in reply. I may need the entire bottle once I confess what I’ve done, and disclose the secrets I’ve uncovered.

“I hope you’re hungry,” she says, rounding me and moving over to the stovetop.

I arch an eyebrow. “You’ve cooked?”

“I did … don’t look so shocked. I’m not just a pretty face,” she jokes.

My eyes track down her body once more, and I feel my cock twitch in my trousers.

You are way more than a pretty face, Miss St. James.

“Go sit. I’ll bring the food out when it’s ready.”

My gaze moves to the dining table. “You set the table?”

“That’s something normal people do when they’re preparing to sit down and have a meal.”

“That’s not what I meant, smartarse. It looks … dare I say, romantic. Where did that candle come from?”

“I bought it. This is a thank you for all that you’ve done for me dinner … it’s not a date. We broke up, remember?”

I bark out a laugh. “Ah, the infamous breakup that I still don’t remember you discussing with me.”

Her eyes slightly narrow. “We broke up, Spencer … there, the conversation is had.”

I bring my glass to my mouth to hide my grin. “Whatever you say, Delilah.”

Delilah stands and clears the table after our first course … and colour me impressed.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t a restaurant-worthy meal. I’m eager to see what the next course entails.