Locked In Temptation

“Yes, I have an extra toothbrush. I placed it along with a washcloth and towel on the vanity. I also hung your shirt and pants up on the back of the bathroom door. I figured the steam from my bathwater would get rid of any wrinkles.”

And he’d slept through it all. “Sounds like you’ve been busy.” He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. He appreciated a person who was on top of things, but Joy was too much. It sounded like she needed to learn how to slow down and relax some.

She chuckled. “Yes, that’s me. Busy beaver Joy. Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes. I’ll be in the kitchen finishing up.” And then she turned and left.

He rubbed a hand over his face. Hell, regardless of how off-kilter he felt, he still liked seeing Joy in the morning.

* * *

JOY KNEW THE moment Stonewall entered her kitchen, but when she turned around, the air was suddenly sucked from her lungs. In the bright morning sunlight that flowed through the kitchen window, he looked as yummy as the eggs, bacon and pancakes she’d been busy cooking. He’d put on his slacks and shirt, and on him they looked freshly pressed. It was as if the creases in his slacks had automatically fallen in place. She always thought she had a pretty nice-sized kitchen, but once he walked in, it seemed rather tiny.

“I didn’t properly greet you yet,” he said, crossing the room to her and pulling her into his arms. “Good morning, Joy.”

He kissed her, reacquainting her tongue with his. Not that it needed to be done. She was certain there was no part of her body that could forget him. He had such a lasting effect. He’d showered, and the manly scent of him delighted her. He deepened the kiss and she knew if she didn’t pull back now, they would be making out on her kitchen table.

She broke off the kiss, but he still kept her wrapped in his warm embrace while nibbling on her neck. She in turn took advantage and rubbed her nose against the side of his face, loving the feel of the manly texture of his beard. “I wish I could make love to you again before I leave,” he murmured softly.

A part of her wished the same thing. “Any reason you can’t?” she asked.

“Yes. You’re still sore and you’ve taken enough of me in one day.”

That was definitely being straightforward, she thought. “Shouldn’t I be the judge of that?”

“Not this time. I know your body’s limitations.”

He really thought so? “And how is that possible?”

A smile touched his lips. “I was inside you last night. Remember?”

How could she forget? It felt strange standing in the middle of her kitchen, holding a conversation about whether or not she could handle him again today.

He leaned closer. “But you can get as much of this as you want,” he said, kissing her more deeply this time. She felt her knees weaken and wrapped her arms around his neck at the same time he wrapped his around her waist.

He finally released her mouth but kept his arms around her. “I could get used to this,” he murmured softly against her moist lips.

CHAPTER EIGHT (#ua5663ba7-b3bf-5a18-b993-99eb60da434c)

“I THINK OUR first date was simply spectacular, don’t you?” Stonewall asked as his lips moved from her neck to nibble her ear.

“Umm, most definitely.”

“I could get used to that, as well.”

She chuckled and he could feel the vibrations. She pulled away, out of his arms, and gazed up at him. “Considering how long it took to squeeze in our first date due to our hectic schedules, getting used to anything when it comes to us will be next to impossible.”

“Yes, but wasn’t the wait worth it?”

A huge smile touched her lips. “Yes, it was worth the wait. Thanks again for everything. You sure know how to make a girl feel special.”

“You deserve it, and if you recall, I told you at dinner that you were special.” He had a feeling that she didn’t take compliments well. As far as he was concerned, the best solution to that was to keep on giving them.

“Need any help?” he asked.

“Umm, you can set the table for me. It’s such a beautiful day, I thought it would be nice to eat out on the patio. It’s screened in, and on nice days it’s one of my favorite places to eat and spend time reading or lounging around.”

“No problem.”

“The dishes are in that cabinet. The eating utensils are there. And the mugs for the coffee are there,” she said, pointing the location of everything out to him.

“Thanks.”

He opened the cabinets and took out two of everything. But he couldn’t stop his gaze from roaming all over her, thinking she definitely looked good in that dress. And she smelled good, too.

“Just so you know, I can cook,” he said as he opened the drawer to get out the eating utensils.

She glanced back over at him. “Can you?”

“Yes. I’m no Chef Emeril, but I can hold my own.”

“What’s your favorite meal you like to prepare?”

“Lasagna.”

“I don’t know too many men, including my brothers, who like being in the kitchen near a stove. Who taught you?”

“Mostly my grandmother, but my mom taught me the basics.” He moved across the room. “Can you get that door for me?”

“Sure.”

She moved ahead to open the door that led to the screened-in patio. Honestly, even with his hands full he could have opened it himself, but he enjoyed seeing her legs in motion. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Everything should be ready in a few.”

“Okay.” He watched her leave and thought that was another thing he could get used to. Seeing her gorgeous legs in a dress instead of the slacks she usually wore.

* * *

JOY RETURNED TO the kitchen, thinking that she wasn’t used to having anyone, especially a man, in her home this early in the morning. This was definitely a first. It was also a first for her to sleep with a guy on their first date, but she’d done so with Stonewall by convincing herself it was long overdue. Had they gone out six months ago as planned, they probably would have shared a bed by now. And it wasn’t as if they’d just met and hadn’t kept in contact.

She noticed him opening the door to come back inside. “So, how do you think I did?” he asked, walking into the kitchen.

Although she knew he was asking her opinion about the table he’d set, she was thinking about his performance last night. “You did a great job. Now you can help carry everything out.”

He looked at the filled platters. “It looks and smells good, but do you expect us to eat all that?”

She chuckled. “Yes.”

They sat down to eat and piled the food on their plates. “At least let me pour the coffee,” Stonewall offered when she reached out to do so.