Kai remembered at the last second to use a potholder to remove the pan from the oven. He was more than ready to tell Josie the truth of what he was, but he doubted she was ready. It was too soon, and if he laid the truth out there and she didn’t want him… No. She wasn’t like that. He plated their meals and took them to the dining room where he’d already set the table.
“Oh, these flowers are beautiful. You really didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”
“Oh, but I did.” Kai held out Josie’s chair, then asked her what she wanted to drink.
“Will you think less of me if I ask for another beer?”
“Why would I think less of you?”
“I guess most women drink wine with a meal like this.”
“First off, you aren’t most women.” He wanted to tell her she was his woman but kept that to himself. “Secondly, my mama doesn’t drink wine. She keeps the fridge stocked with an assortment of ales. The hoppier, the better. But she also likes sours and stouts. There’s nothing wrong with liking what you like.”
“I like you,” she blurted.
Kai grinned. “I like you too.” He grabbed them both a beer, forgoing glasses, and set them down on the table. When he was seated next to her, Josie placed the cloth napkin on her lap, then dug in. Kai waited to see how she liked her fish before he took a bite. Josie moaned as the flavors hit her tongue, and Kai begged his dick to behave. Why he thought he’d be able to take things slow with her was anyone’s guess. He knew about the mate bond. Had seen how every Gargoyle who ever found their mate lost their shit around them.
“God, Malakai. This is delicious. You can cook for me anytime. Not that I expect you to do all the cooking. I don’t. It’s just you’re so much better at it than I am. I mean, I can cook, but this? My compliments to the chef and your mama.”
“Thank you. I came up with this seasoning combination by mistake, but it turned out as good as the original recipe, so I made the change in my notes.”
“Notes? Like a recipe book?”
“Yes. Where I’m from, the males do most of the cooking. Plus, Mama made each of us write down our own set of recipes when we were learning something new.”
“She sounds amazing.”
Kai responded by nodding and digging into his own food. The silence as they ate was comfortable. When both their plates were clean, he stood and removed the empties and took them to the sink. Josie followed. “Are you ready for dessert?” he asked.
“Can we save it for a while?”
“Anything you want, Sunshine.”
Josie bit her bottom lip, the red lipstick still as bright as when he picked her up. There went his notion of kissing it off. “I’ll do the dishes since you cooked,” she offered.
“Nope. We are on a date. The dishes can wait.” Kai got them two more beers and motioned toward the back door. “Let’s sit outside.” When she agreed, Kai led her to an oversized chair. He sat down and pulled Josie down onto his lap. Kai sat angled so Josie’s back was against one side of the tall back and his on the other with her legs draped over him. He placed his free hand on her smooth legs and trailed his fingertips along her skin. The sun was setting, and this time of day, along with sunrise, was when Kai missed home most. “I can’t wait to take you home. The sky is unbelievable setting over the water.”
“If it’s anything like Hawaii, I believe it.”
“Tell me about your mom,” Kai urged.
Josie’s face lit up. “She’s my best friend. Working long hours like I do, I don’t have a lot of spare time to hang out with women my age.” Josie was lost in thought for a moment. “I’m grateful to have a job that pays so well, but with it comes a price. Mom understands my sacrifice because she had the same job when she was younger. It’s how she met my father. When she got pregnant with Presley, she was put on complete bed rest due to complications. Dad had to hire someone to replace her, and Mom never went back to work. She made a career out of taking care of our home. She’s short and plump like me. Our only difference is our eyes. Hers are a caramel color. She’s as sweet as the day is long. Now that I’m out of the house, Mom volunteers at the hospital snuggling babies. She always had the best cuddles.”
“I can’t wait to meet her. But Sunshine? You are not plump. Yes, you have curves, but they’re sexy. And even if you were plump, as you put it, I would still find you desirable. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t look down on females who work out. That would be hypocritical since I work in a gym. But I prefer a woman who’s soft. Someone whose insides match their exterior. Someone like you.”
“I’m starting to believe you,” Josie whispered.
They sat silently, drinking their beer. Josie looked out over the landscaping while Kai studied his mate’s face.
Someone’s out there.
Where? Kai was so caught up in Josie, he hadn’t been paying attention to anything else.
By the road.
Kai reached out with his senses, and he felt it. Someone was lingering by the gate, or close to it. He stood, gently placing Josie’s legs on the seat. “Will you excuse me for a minute? I need to check on something.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” I hope.
