“So, how does it taste?” Kian asked, looking over the rim of his coffee cup.
“Delicious!” I smiled, chewing a bite of my omelet that was cooked to perfection.
“Good. I was worried,” he let out a heavy sigh of relief and set his mug down on the table.
“Why?” I asked, picking up my own cup of coffee and sipping on the hot elixir of the gods.
“I’ve never cooked for a woman before,” he admitted softly, making me choke on my coffee. He quickly hopped out of his seat and made his way around the table to me. He patted my back several times.
“I’m better now. Thanks,” I looked up at him and smiled. He didn’t seem too sure of my answer, but eventually went back to his side of the table and sat down.
“You sure?” Kian looked me over. I nodded in response. “Was it something I said?”
“Yes,” I admitted, taking another drink of my coffee then setting the cup down. “You said you never cooked for a woman before. It just surprised me. That’s all.”
“Why?”
“I mean, look at you,” I gestured at him. “You’re incredibly sexy and probably get women all the time. I just assumed you had a girlfriend or two that you cooked for.”
“Nope,” he shook his head. “I’ve never even brought a woman home.”
This time I choked on air. Kian started to get up and I shook my head. I cleared my throat.
“Never?” I asked, trying to ask calmly.
“Never. My house has always been off limits to everyone except family and guy friends.”
“Oh. Wow. Then why…” My words trailed off.
“..why you?” he finished my question. I looked at him and nodded. “There’s just something about you.”
He made it seem so nonchalant. Like it wasn’t a big deal that I was the first woman to ever come home with him or the first woman he cooked for. Those were both huge things.
My heart raced as I nervously took another bite of my breakfast.
“Just that simple?” I asked, trying to play it as cool as he was.
“Should it not be?” he retorted calmly.
“I mean, if it isn’t a big deal to you then I guess it isn’t a big deal to me.”
Silence fell over us. We stared across the table at each other. After several minutes, we both let out a sigh. We busted out laughing.
“Of course, it’s a big deal, Giselle,” Kian stopped laughing and smiled. “I’m not a mushy guy. I’m not good at expressing myself and honestly, I’ve never had a real reason to express myself in this sense. I just know that I like being around you so I took a chance.”
“Like sex--”
“No,” he interrupted. “Not sexually. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy sex with you, but that’s not why I like being around you.”
It took everything inside me to not smile ear to ear. His words melted me like butter and put me on cloud nine. How could a man like Kian, someone with money and good looks, like me? There was nothing special about me. Yet here he was saying he enjoyed my company.
“I like being around you, too,” I admitted faintly. He had divulged his thoughts so it was only fair that I did, too. Right?
Kian reached across the table and took hold of my free hand. He stroked the top of it with his thumb. He looked at me and smiled.
“I’m sorry for whatever had you signing up for the auction, but I’m glad our paths crossed, Giselle.” His words came out the same rate as a speeding bullet. I barely caught all of them.
“Me, too,” I whispered, squeezing his hand gently.
