Page 11 of Unexpected Temptation

A fter her shower and dressing in her own clothes, Amelia stepped into the doorway of the kitchen and took a deep breath.

Jaylen’s back was to her as he flipped something in a pan on the stove.

His presence overwhelmed every cell in her body.

He was a large man, both in height and the width of his shoulders.

He was wearing faded jeans and a blue flannel shirt that seemed to accentuate his ruggedness.

He made any room smaller just by being in it.

His masculinity drew her to him like nothing she’d ever felt.

She was glad he’d put on his clothes, but also dejected that he’d covered up his drool-worthy masculine body.

Jaylen turned as if he sensed her.

“Hey, Sweetheart.” His gaze roamed over her, taking in the jeans and dressy gray silk shirt she wore.

The night before, he’d gotten a look at her naked, which was spectacular.

In the jeans, her curves were still pronounced and made the saliva pool in his mouth.

He was almost afraid to see her ass in them.

No other woman had this effect on him, ever. It was a miracle to him. She’d pretty much fallen in his lap, and at the same time, it was damn uncomfortable in his own jeans because his desire for her was at a level he’d never experienced before.

“Do you want to help with breakfast?”

Amelia nodded, smoothed down her shirt, and rolled up her sleeves. It felt good wearing her clothes again, made her feel more in control and less exposed.

“Sure. I should warn you, I’ve never cooked anything in my life.”

Jaylen’s hand froze mid-air, and his gaze flew back to her.

“Nothing? Ever?”

Amelia wrapped her arms around her midsection and looked from the pan to Jaylen.

“No. But I’d very much like to learn.”

Jaylen turned to flip the slices of bacon.

“I’m not the best cook, but I do know the basics and get by reasonably well. We’ll start with easy stuff. Put four slices of bread in the toaster and push down the knob.

She followed his instructions and then stared down into the slots that had turned bright orange, waiting. Within a few minutes, the toast popped up, startled her, and made her giggle, and Jaylen chuckled.

“Now what?” she asked.

“Go ahead and butter the slices. Be careful you don’t burn yourself. The toast is going to be hot at first.”

Amelia carefully spread the butter all over the toast. Some ended up on the counter, quite a bit on the plate and on her fingers, but she still did a great job. When she finished, she couldn’t help the pleased look on her face.

Amelia stacked the toast on a plate in front of her after it had been buttered. She couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face. She knew it was a tiny step, but she was cooking.

Jaylen smiled. “Good job. Now come here, and you can help me with the eggs.” He set the plate of bacon aside and handed her a bowl and the carton of eggs. “Break six eggs in the bowl, and then I’ll show you how to whisk them.”

The first egg crumbled in her fist, and the egg whites bled through her fingers onto the counter.

“Oh, yuck.”

Jaylen chuckled at the horrified and grossed-out look on Amelia’s face and handed her a towel.

“My fault, I should have shown you how to crack it.” He demonstrated how to crack an egg in half, and then let the insides drop into a bowl. “You want to try again?”

“Yes.” Amelia was delighted when this time some of the egg landed in the bowl, but so did some of the shell. “The hard, white shell isn’t supposed to be in the bowl, right?”

“No. Pick it out and break another egg.”

Amelia’s grip tightened on the bowl, and she sighed in irritation as she chased the shell around.

“The little pieces keep sliding away from my finger.”

Jaylen chuckled. “The raw egg is slimy. Just do the best you can.”

Several minutes later, most of the eggs were in the bowl, some had slipped onto the counter, and a few were on the floor. Once again, her fingers were covered.

He showed her how to whisk the mixture, pour it into the pan, and use a flat spoon to stir until it was fully cooked.

By the time they sat at the table, the toast and bacon were cold, and there were still little bits of shell in the eggs.

However, they both agreed it was the best breakfast they had ever eaten.

Amelia was damn proud of herself because it was the very first meal she’d ever made, even though it wasn’t perfect.

“Do you think you’re going to want to try that again?”

Amelia swallowed and took a quick sip of juice.

“Absolutely. I want to be able to make whole meals by myself. I’ve always had an interest. I tried so many times to be in the kitchen at home.

I asked our cook questions, but I always got kicked out, and my parents would lecture me about my place in society.

” She stopped and rolled her eyes. “I never understood their attitude.”

“I’ll teach you what I know, but I think we should get a cookbook for you, and we can experiment.”

“I’d like that very much.” She took another bite and felt the crunch of a piece of eggshell, made a face, and laughed. “I’ll do better next time.”

Jaylen chuckled. “I don’t mind. I thought it added texture to the eggs.” Then he took another bite.

Amelia snorted.

Jaylen showed her how he cleaned up the breakfast dishes before he pulled her to the back door.

“I don’t have any boots small enough, so you’re going to have to wear your damp sneakers. I won’t have you out for very long.”

Jaylen waited for her as she sat on the low bench, tied her shoes, and stood.

He pulled a sizeable gray poncho from one of the hooks and pulled it over her head. He smiled and shook his head when the poncho covered her, and still had a few inches dragging on the floor. She looked even smaller with one of his coats on.

“This will keep the rest of you dry and warm.

Jaylen made sure her hood covered her before pulling on his own and then drew her out onto the back covered porch. He bent his knees and turned his back to her.

“Hop on my back.”

Amelia took a startled step back and shook her head.

“What? No. I can walk...”

He looked over his shoulder.

“I know that, Sweetheart, but the yard is muddy and full of puddles, and I don’t want you getting wetter than you already are. Now stop arguing and climb on.”

“But...”

He looked over his shoulder.

“Amelia, now.”

The authority in his voice had her moving before she had a conscious thought. She gingerly climbed onto his back with his help.

Jaylen easily lifted her when Amelia moved behind him and clutched his shoulders, and then wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Good girl.”

She knew she should take exception to the attitude, but it only made her feel cared for.

A gasp escaped when he stepped off the porch steps, and the rain hit her back.

She waited for the cold to sear her, but only Jaylen’s warmth against her chest and the heavy poncho kept her warm and dry.

She closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder as she took in his unique scent that drove her crazy.

She shivered at the passion that hit her midsection.