Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Paxton didn’t seem to understand that at all, but I nodded. “Yep, if he gets dramatic in the diner, then Nancy, the owner, won’t feed him anything else but soup.”
“They all need more soup punishments.” Paxton didn’t seem to realize what he’d said until I laughed. “Sorry. That was rude.”
“No, that was honest. This town is severely lacking in common sense lately.” For a variety of reasons. “I think you’re right, but it doesn’t seem to be up to me.”
He made a quiet, thinking sound as I took him into the kitchen. “You’d have more rules if you were in charge?”
I wasn’t sure if he was connecting the dots or if it was a random odd question, but I thought about it before I answered. “More rules based around generally not driving everyone crazy. I don’t believe in arbitrarily ridiculous rules just to assert control.”
Paxton seemed to like that answer based on his nod and the way his brain jumped to a new topic. “Can I spread my stuff out on the table? I have some maps and notes to show you.”
Well, that seemed to mean I’d answered his questions and he felt safe enough to continue, so I nodded. “That would be perfect. Maps. Dinner. Then we’ll hang out some.”
And see what happened.
Because based on the way Paxton blushed, he was picturing something naughty.
****
“I’m not telling.” Teasing him with a grin and a shrug, I ignored his huff. “Besides, do you really want to ask Nancy if I asked her to tattle on you about your favorite foods?”
He paused mid-drama. “No. She wouldn’t like that.”
Smart cutie.
Except for the fact that he’d forgotten how nosy the town was. Once the rumors of our kind of date had started to spread, half the town had called me up to tell me what they’d seen him eating. It’d been easy to figure out that, besides pastries with chocolate in them, spaghetti was one of his favorite foods.
“Fine.” He sighed, but something in his brain shifted gears again. “But thank you for dinner. It was very good and I appreciate the home cooking.”
“You’re welcome.” His praise gave me an opening I slipped right into. “Do you travel a lot or just don’t cook much?”
He didn’t seem to think I was being too nosy, but he scrunched up his face and looked adorably dramatic again. “Both, I guess. About half the year I do field research as part of a grant and then the other half I do more lab-based work. But even when I’m home, cooking for myself isn’t fun.”
Because subconsciously he probably thought his Daddy should be doing it.
“Yeah, it’s challenging.” We could come back to the Daddy part another time. “But I don’t mind cooking for you and I know you’re one of Nancy’s favorite customers.”
That had his cheeks going pink and he looked down at his plate. “I think some of her other customers are more interesting than I am.”
“That’s not the way I would describe it.” I nodded when he peeked up at me through long lashes. “You’re polite. You didn’t drive her crazy talking about more personal parts of your life. You also clearly enjoy her food.”
When he chuckled, I snuck in the last one. “And you are very interesting in your own way.”
It just took privacy and some one-on-one time to get his shell to soften. But once it did, he blushed adorably and rolled his eyes every time he thought I was being ridiculous.
Like right then. “I know my strengths and weaknesses.”
Not from where I was sitting.
“Someone told you that you’re boring? Or just not fascinating enough to show off?” There were plenty of assholes who thought sub meant sparkly or who thought being outlandish was more important than being authentic.
Paxton went still, showing me that I was right without having to use the words.
“Just be yourself around here and I guarantee that will be enough.” Letting my words sink in, I rose and picked up our plates to give him a moment to think.
By the time I had the table cleared, he’d turned in his seat and was watching me closely. “Be myself because it’s what people say to do or because it’s what you would like?”
Oh, someone was getting more confident.
And curious.
“Both.” Not willing to lie, I tried not to push things too much. “The locals are nuts but mean well, and I’d like to get to know the real Paxton, not the one you think I want to see.”
“I have no idea what you want.” The words popped out before he’d thought them through based on how quickly he clamped his lips shut.
Chuckling, I went back over and crouched down beside him, bracing my hands on the table and the back of his chair. “Are you ready to know what I want or should I just say I’d like to spend more time getting to know you?”