“Pfft.” Secretly delighted, she waved off the compliment with a flick of her fingers. “It’s just stewed chicken.”
“What’s the spice?” He forked up another big bite.
“The recipe calls for piment d’Espelètte, which is hard to find, but I found Aleppo pepper at the Food Co-op. Not bad for a small-town grocery store.”
He gave her a crooked grin. “We’re not completely uncivilized here. The Co-op even offers gourmet cooking lessons the first Saturday of the month. Maybe you could come down next month?”
She clenched her napkin. “Oh, I…”
Kieran’s smile slipped a little. “Of course, you must be very busy.”
Well, crap. Way to spoil the mood.
She laid her hand over his. “Look, Kieran, I like you and I like this place. I hope to come back soon, but I’m not in a position to make any promises.”
“Of course. I understand.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Tell you what—tomorrow’s my day off. What do you say to a tour of the town?” He waggled his eyebrows. “I know all the best places.”
She laughed and dug into her own portion. “All right, you’re on.”
Kieran mopped up a smear of sauce with his bread. “I hope last night’s visit from the White Widow didn’t trouble your sleep.”
“Oh, I didn’t dream of the ghost.” Not the one they saw last night, anyway. Her dreams had been a swirl of wrenching memories: overcrowded hospital bays, blood-smeared hands clutching at her scrubs, ragged voices pleading for relief from the pain. And there at the end of the endless corridor stood Kieran, dressed like an orderly and asking, “How can I help?”
Her frantic dream-self shoved medical implements into his hands—syringes and IV bags and scalpels—barking orders until he stumbled backward and dropped the lot, slicing a long gash on his leg.
“Great,” she’d cried, “now I’ll have to stitch you up too.”
But Kieran wasn’t flustered tonight. Leaning onto his elbows, holding her gaze, he looked ready to take on all her baggage.
Wishful thinking, much?She gave her head a little shake. “Sorry, wandered off for a moment.”
“Happens to the best of us.” Reaching across the table, he took both her hands in his. “Ready for some pie?”
Arousal crackled along her nerves, but he only meant dessert, damn it. She pulled herself together and rose to clear away the plates, but Kieran beat her to it. “You cook, I clean.”
She trailed him into the kitchen. “But you did both jobs last night.”
He threw a playful glance over his shoulder. “Are you always this contentious?”
He set the dishes in the sink, then clasped her shoulders, brushed a soft kiss over her lips, and steered her back to her seat. “You have so much responsibility in your life, but right now, you’re on vacation. Let someone else take charge for a moment.”
Hoo boy, did she want to let Kieran take charge! What would it be like to place herself in his strong, work-roughened hands? To feel his skin against hers, his beard tickling her breasts, his hot, wicked mouth gliding down, down, down—
His powerful thigh brushed her arm as he set down a plate with a large slice of streusel-topped pie.
Flushing hotly, she stared from the dessert to his face. He rotated his chair, straddled it, sturdy thighs spread wide, and forked up a big bite. “This is a new recipe. I want to know what you think, Addy.” He raised the morsel to her mouth.
Her lips closed around flakey crust, plump fruit, and sweet spice. A moan of bliss escaped before she could rein it in.
Kieran’s gaze lasered onto her lips. His voice rumbled like distant thunder—not yet dangerous, but closing fast. “There’s nothing sexier than a beautiful woman surrendering to pleasure.”
Heat coursed through her veins, frying her last thread of restraint. Driven by something more powerful than common sense, she shoved the plate aside, fisted his shirt, and tugged him into a devouring kiss.
Kieran’s mouth was a wonder of silken heat. Spearing his fingers into her hair, he took control, angling her head to stroke deeper, melting away all thoughts of ticking clocks and consequences.
A low growl and a nudge on her calf reminded her they weren’t alone.
Chuckling, Kieran broke the kiss. “Hey, buddy, I’m not hurting her.” His gaze softened as he cupped Addy’s cheek. “I’d never do that.”
