Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“You have the chops, baby. You did all the real work. It’s been an honor to watch you find your wings.”
“Ah, let’s not push it. I have to be able to repeat that same dish a thousand more times before I start patting myself on the back.”
I frown. “Whatever. I’m boxing this up to take home.” I point at the dish.
Carleen
I’m bursting at the seams as we push into Dante’s apartment. He loved the dish. His edits were good ideas. I can’t wait to try them to see if I can do it all again.
Dario thinks I’m not confident in my skills. That’s not it. I’m a perfectionist. I was at the top of my class and a damn good surgeon. I left all that time and skill behind, so I want to be the best as a chef.
I need to be able to show my father that my happiness didn’t come with the price of failure. I just found a path to success and happiness. I need him to see this wasn’t about Dario. I love to cook.
“You want to watch a movie?” Dario asks as he pulls his shirt off.
I drop my gaze to his chest. I’ve learned to appreciate so many things about this man in the last three days. His right side is covered in words and little, tiny butterflies. It’s like they swarm down toward where his happy trail should be and disappear into his jeans, sweats, or whatever. I’ve seen each look.
It’s not like I haven’t seen the tats before, I just have a new appreciation for the view. I look forward to coming home after work to be treated to this. Shirtless Dario is a gift in itself.
“I, um, I was going to do some writing in my journal and get that recipe down while it’s still fresh.”
“Cool, I’m going to shower and make a few calls. I’ll be waiting when you’re ready. We can sleep in tomorrow.”
“I have a hair appointment in the morning,” I say.
I plan to get a wash and set. The kitchen can be hell on my hair. All the sweating and steam and heat of the kitchen sends me to the salon twice a week to keep my shoulder-blade length hair looking decent.
I don’t miss the look of disappointment on his face. In all honesty, I’ve loved our nights together, but they’re breaking my heart. I’m in love with this man and being with him feels so natural. I need a little space to tighten the lid on my feelings.
Maybe some time writing how I feel in my journal will help me get my head back on straight. Dario and I will never be a thing. I have never even seen him with a woman of color.
I once had a little hope when Dante started dating Bethany, but the twins aren’t alike in everything.
“No worries. If you change your mind, text me. Have a good night, Carleen.”
“Good night, Dario.”
I move across the apartment to the room I’ve been calling my own. My lids are growing heavy as the exhaustion of the day kicks in. I strip down out of my jeans and tank top and head into the shower.
My mind turns to when Dario walked up behind me in the kitchen tonight. My pulse raced and I wanted to lean back into him. I always feel so safe around him. I couldn’t help wanting him to fold me into his embrace.
While the shower rains down on me, I reach between my legs to relieve this ache. Closing my eyes, I press a palm and my forehead to the shower wall and pull up images of Dario’s hard body and that anaconda.
I pretend it’s his big hand running through my pussy lips. I’m a panting mess as I bring myself to climax. This is why staying here was a bad idea. I know how I feel about this man.
Why am I putting myself through this torture?
I finish my shower after I’m done and pull on some shorts and a tank top. Picking up the two notebooks on the desk, I start with the recipe.
My phone rings and I pick it up to see it’s Lou. After what just happened in the shower, I think it’s best to let this situation go. I’ve never been one to string someone along.
“Hello.”
“Hey, gorgeous. I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
“How sweet. How are you, Lou?”
“I’m a hundred-percent better now that I’m talking to you. Listen, I was thinking. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to make time for each other. How about I come over and we have a bottle of wine together?”
“Oh, we haven’t spoken in a few days. The reno has turned into a disaster. I’m not staying at my place.”
“Well, where are you? You know you can always come stay with me or in one of my rentals.”