Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Kai checked the chicken in the skillet one last time before turning to face Dev. He could feel the apologetic smile on his face, but there was nothing he could do about it.
“I thought I would make dinner while you were resting. It’s nearly done.”
Dev moved closer, sliding his arms around his waist and snuggling close. He drew in a deep breath and released it again with a happy hum. “It smells amazing. What are we having?”
“Chicken fricassee with spiced apples, new potatoes in butter and garlic, asparagus, and warm yeast rolls,” Kai listed.
Dev’s eyes widened, jumping to his face. “You cooked? I mean, you can actually cook.”
Kai could feel his face flush under Dev’s surprise. “Well, yes. I had to improvise a bit, but I think it should all turn out. I can cook when I want to.”
“Really? I just…you sound like you’re always on the go. I didn’t think it allowed for much cooking.”
Kai wrapped his arm around Dev and squeezed, but immediately released him again when he saw Dev wince. “Sorry.”
“Don’t. It’s okay. Just a couple of small bruises.”
That didn’t lessen the guilt that was steadily carving chunks out of Kai’s heart. At the time, he’d been able to shove down any worries or feelings of guilt as he’d pushed Dev harder and harder during their training session. It had been easy when he thought about Dev being in danger, about not being able to reach him in time.
Dev’s uneasiness with the gun had left Kai no alternative. He needed to be able to defend himself in a fight. At the very least, he had to learn how to hurt the other person enough to give himself a chance to escape.
But Kai had pushed and pushed and pushed. He’d left Dev sweaty, bruised, panting, and sore. It was only when Dev had finally snapped at him, tears of pain in his eyes that he’d realized he’d gone too far.
Strong fingers grabbed Kai’s jaw, jerking his head so that he was forced to meet Dev’s eyes. “Stop,” he ordered. “Stop worrying about it.”
“I pushed too hard. Hurt you.”
“You’re scared, and you’re trying to keep me alive. I understand.”
Kai shook his head, briefly freeing himself of Dev’s hold. “It’s no excuse.”
“I think it’s a damn good excuse. I’ve got a son who very much needs me to stay alive.”
Leaning down, Kai stole a quick kiss and turned Dev toward the dining room. “Go sit and relax. Dinner is nearly ready. I’ll bring your plate to you.”
“Are you sure? You don’t need any help?”
Kai pinched an ass cheek to get Dev moving in the right direction. “I have it all under control. I’m trying to do something nice for you to prove that I’m not an utter asshole. Now go sit.”
“You’re very bossy for such a sweet man,” Dev muttered under his breath and then shot Kai a playful smile as he left the kitchen.
Kai returned to the food, completing the final preparations before attempting to place it artfully on Dev’s plate. He would be the first to admit he didn’t have the slightest idea how to be romantic. But all the romantic movies had candlelit dinners. He could at least do that.
With both their plates in hand and everything turned off on the stove, Kai joined Dev in the dining room, where he was waiting with a look of sweet anticipation.
“Wow,” Dev said as he approached. “Not only did you cook, but we’ve got candles, wine, and music. How long was I in the tub?”
“Not nearly long enough,” Kai murmured as he placed Dev’s plate in front of him. “But if you eat everything on your plate, I promise to give you a very thorough massage to work out the last of the sore muscles and kinks before you go to sleep tonight.”
Dev narrowed his eyes on Kai. “How thorough?”
Kai leaned down, his lips brushing lightly against the shell of Dev’s ear. “I am incredibly thorough in all the things that I do.”
A shiver ran the entire length of Dev’s body and his eyelids fluttered. “Got it. I’m eating everything. I’ll even lick the plate clean if I have to.”
Kai slipped into his chair, chuckling softly. They started eating, conversation put on hold. It had been a long day, and it was clear that both of them had been starving. But after a few happy moans, Dev’s brain seemed to come online again.
“You distracted me!” he suddenly declared. “You never said when you learned to cook. You made it sound like you were never in a place long enough to cook for yourself.”
Kai smirked. It was incredibly difficult to get something by Dev. The man’s brain was far too sharp. “I don’t usually cook when I’m traveling. When I’m working, I’ve found that I need to be ready at any moment to move. However, a few years ago I suffered an injury—”