Before I Knew (The Cabots #1) by Jamie Beck

Author:Jamie Beck [Beck, Jamie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781477824443
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 2017-08-21T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Colby’s muscles loosened as if she’d just stretched and sighed. Her body fitted against Alec’s as perfectly as one of his beloved puzzle pieces.

Although she’d spent the better part of her week daydreaming about more kisses, simply resting in the crook of his arm seemed enough for now. No pressure. No expectations. She stayed there, listening to Alec’s heart beating, letting her mind wander aimlessly, like a butterfly, fluttering from thought to thought.

One thought: he smelled like her favorite fabric softener—eminently snuggly. Another: the late-afternoon light made her cream-colored furniture look peach. A third equally random thought: despite the hot dog she’d chowed down earlier, she was hungry. That one broke through the silence. “I’m starving.”

He muttered a curse, his body tensing to stand. “My dinner reservation at Beast.”

Colby tightened her grip around his waist. “Can you cancel?”

He paused before resting his cheek on her head. “Yeah.”

A little smile formed. She wanted him to stay even though she didn’t know where the night might lead. In truth, it didn’t need to lead anywhere else. His comforting presence was more than enough.

“Want me to whip up something to eat?” he asked.

“I doubt I’ve got much to work with.”

“You forget who you’re talking to.” He tapped her shoulder so she’d let him up, which she did with great reluctance.

With long, assured strides, he crossed the room to her refrigerator. She watched his confidence fade as he took inventory of its contents. If memory served, there should be jelly, butter, some mango chunks, broccoli, half-and-half, and maybe some slices of Muenster cheese. Maybe. Oh, and seltzer. Grapefruit-flavored seltzer.

Without a word, he closed the door, wearing a faintly dazed expression. He then rummaged through her cupboards, where he likely spied a lot of tea, a half-empty bag of Cheetos, a few slices of bread, and some random oils and spices.

He turned, his face aghast, head shaking in dismay.

“This is the most pathetic kitchen pantry I’ve ever seen. Ever, Colby.” For Alec, food had always been a serious business. “Don’t you eat here?”

“Sometimes. But this month I’ve been filling up on everything you’ve been testing, or eating with my mom. I haven’t been to the store in a while.”

“I’ll say.”

Colby shrugged. “Let’s order pizza.”

“No.” He scowled. “I won’t be defeated.”

“Alec, there’s nothing here.”

His eyes lit at the challenge. “Refill your wine. I’ll have something ready in twenty minutes.”

“You don’t have to prove anything to me.” She sat forward, recognizing a man on a mission.

“I have to prove it to myself.” He smiled, shrugging.

From her distant spot on the sofa, she watched an amazing flurry of activity. One pan sizzled with seasoned oil, another with butter. A third roiled with boiling water. At one point, he worked at the counter, giving her a clear view of his face. The image transported her back in time to his mom’s kitchen, where she’d often found him working with his mouth slightly open and his tongue pressed against his top row of teeth—a picture of concentration. The fact that hadn’t changed made her smile.

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