“Jason, you can cook a good scallop, but I don’t think you’re ready for my kitchen.” He shot me a wink. I wanted to grab him by the beard and plant a kiss on his face. “Maybe with a few more lessons.”
“I’ll have you know. I’m the master of microwave popcorn.”
He gasped. “Eat your food while I plot how to steal your microwave.”
I picked up a slice to see it was already light-years beyond my cooking prowess. Sourdough bread? Okay, this might be better than my white bread sandwiches. Before I took a bite, I could smell… cheese. That didn’t happen when it came from a wrapper. I took a bite, and the moment it hit my tongue, I let out a moan.
“Oh, my God. I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
Simon took the other slice and had a bite. While I had a mouthgasm, he had a discerning expression. “I think it might need more gruyere. Not so much rosemary.”
“Go make me more,” I demanded. Another bite in, and I decided I’d never cook again. I’d spend every meal at the Bistro, and I’d live in bliss with unlimited grilled cheese sandwiches. “There will be a review online for this.”
I devoured the sandwich. My stomach stopped grumbling, satisfied with the meal. Would it be rude to make him go into the kitchen to make another? Could he teach me? No, he couldn’t do that, or I’d never leave my house.
“You like?”
“Did I not moan loud enough?”
He snorted. “Next time, I’ll make sure we go somewhere special.”
Since we were on the topic of cheese. I reached across the table, holding out my hand until he gripped it with hispaw. “Spending the night with you is all the special I need.” Yes, I felt as gooey as the sandwich.
“I didn’t expect to meet anybody when I moved up here. I didn’t expect to…”
“Fuck in my office?”
“Eloquently put. No, that wasn’t on my to-do list.” He squeezed my hand. “I’m… happy? Yeah, I think I’m happy. It’s been so long, I forgot what content feels like.” His eyes shimmered from the light of the candle. It accentuated the laugh lines and crow’s feet, and when he smiled, they deepened. “I’m glad it happened.”
“If I jerk off to the memory anymore, I’m going to chafe.”
The laughter came out in a roar. He leaned back in the seat, his entire body shaking as he laughed. How did I get this lucky? A handsome bear cooking me dinner and laughing at my jokes? When I got home, I’d have to add it to my vision board.
“I’m glad I’m not alone,” he said. “I guess we’ll have to do that again.”
“Or we could…”
His eyes widened. “Here? The health code inspector wouldn’t like that.”
“He can watch.” I paused while he looked about the Bistro, stopping at the biggest table in the dining room. Simon made me laugh. The facial expressions and the consideration he showed as he looked for a flat surface. Everything about him made me… happy. “I was joking. We can save it for another night.”
“You have more self-control than me.”
A lie if I ever heard one. “While imagining you naked is a priority in my mind… topic switch. Tomorrow night, you want to see what Firefly is all about?”
“Jason, are you asking me on a date?”
The town might be postcard-perfect from the outside, but Firefly had a reputation for getting rowdy once a month. I wasn’t sure he could handle it, but it’d go a long way toward endearing him to the locals. He’d either love it or run screaming.
“Simon Peterson, would you accompany me tomorrow night?”
“Why Jason Cowan, I would love to.” He raised an eyebrow. “For what?”
“Have you ever played Bingo?”
He hid his face as he laughed. I didn’t need to ask. Nobody had ever suggested a date for one of the lamest games in the world. I played every month, but I really went to schmooze it with people. In a town that closed at sunset, Simon would get to see how we entertained ourselves.
“Get your game face ready.”
