Even with this knowledge hammering the inside of his skull, the thought of not becoming intimate with Chloe had him breaking out in a sweat of panic. For the first time since losing his virginity at the tender age of thirteen, Samuel had no idea what he was going to do or how he was going to go about seducing a woman.
“Helloooo, anyone home? Samuel, are you feeling okay? You’re looking a little pale.”
“I’m fine, just…uh…thinking about a…um…case I’m working on.”
“Case? What are you working on now?”
Samuel perked up, back on well-known territory. Managing to look both offended and outraged at the same time, he clasped a hand over his heart.
“No! Please don’t tell me you have been a part of this family for nearly six months now and no one has told you my life story.”
Chloe returned her attention to the eggs and laughed.
“Matthew only talks about Dominic and how marvelous his computer skills are and how dull college is compared to working with you both. I know you’re a private eye of some sort, so go on and boast away, tell me about this so-interesting case of yours.”
Samuel shrugged and sat back into his seat. Watching Chloe set up the eggs, bacon, sausages and hash browns onto two large plates, he leaned over the counter to take out napkins and cutlery for them both.
“Much of the work we do is fairly regular. Taking photos, following people to gather evidence for custody battles, or to help one party of a divorce get alimony from the other party. Exposing fraudulent worker’s compensation claims, etcetera, etcetera. Dominic, and to a smaller extent Matthew, take care of the more computer side of the business. Searching out hackers, updating and protecting the security company and clients.”
Chloe sat down and indicated for him to dig in. Spearing a mouthful of eggs, Samuel closed his eyes and moaned as they melted on his tongue. He tried to think the last time someone other than his sisters-in-law had cooked for him.
He might be having trouble working out exactly what he wanted with Chloe, but in that instant he knew he would be doing his damnedest to keep her around for a while. Women who cooked, and cooked well in particular, were thin on the ground nowadays.
A man needed priorities, and Chloe’s cooking had instantly leapt right up to the top of his list, directly competing with making her come until she screamed, and having them both fuck madly until they expired from exhaustion.
Chapter Five
Chloe watched Samuel put away a staggering amount of groceries. The man might be lean, but he ate enough food to keep an entire football team satisfied! A niggling voice at the back of her head insisted it was a dumb idea to feed him, that like a stray or wild animal, he’d keep on coming back for more now that she had relented and fed him once.
Surprisingly, even though she had no intention of letting him seduce her, the thought of Samuel coming back to keep her company didn’t panic her. It’s not as if he would force her, or rape her, and as long as she held some semblance of control, she was willing to play the game.
When the object of her thoughts finally sat back, let his cutlery drop onto his plate, and rested his hands smugly over his nonexistent belly, she smiled, satisfied.
“Sure you’ve had enough?”
Looking around the kitchen warily, Samuel raised an eyebrow.
“I thought that was all you cooked?”
“I think there are a few blueberry muffins in the pantry, if you’re still hungry.”
Startlingly, Samuel seemed to consider the notion for a moment. She raised her eyebrows, disbelieving.
“You can’t possibly still be hungry?”
“Hey,” he started, feigning offense, “I’m a man of healthy appetites.”
Standing up, she picked up both their plates and cutlery. Rinsing them in the sink and placing them in the dishwasher, Chloe took her time turning around. Crossing her arms over her chest, she leaned back against the sink.
“Well?”
“I might give the muffins a pass. You might want them for a snack later on.”
Despite herself, Chloe grinned.
“You’re too kind.” She checked her watch. Nearly noon. Time to start some serious relaxing and reading.
Thankfully, Samuel seemed to take the hint. Standing, he stretched his tall, lean frame, scratching his belly in the self-satisfied way males around the world do after a decent home-cooked meal.
“Well, I’d best get off to work. It has been a true pleasure, and vastly interesting. I’ll be back after sunset for a light supper. Want me to bring the wine?”
Caught off guard, Chloe took a moment for the words to sink in. “Excuse me?”
“Our deal, you said breakfasts and not during the days. That leaves the nights.”
Shocked by his audacity, Chloe didn’t know whether to laugh or throw a pan at the man.
“When I said you’d leave me alone the rest of the day, I meant you wouldn’t be back at all. Breakfast was only supposed to be today, after the hike.”
Samuel grinned down at her.
“Come on, love. You’re going to go on a hike tomorrow morning too, surely?”
Chloe frowned. “Maybe, but I certainly wasn’t planning on going with you. I don’t think I could get too lost around here.”
“Think of how much fun it will be. And as a reward for letting me tour you around the woods and small trails around here, you can help me try out this new game Dominic has found.”
“What new game?”
“I’ll bring it tonight. It’s a kind of card game.”
“I thought you had graduated from the high school mentality years ago. Surely don’t expect me to fall for the old strip poker thing?”
Samuel laughed. “I don’t think so, but there’s no telling with Dominic. Come on, give it a shot. If you get offended or it really upsets you, I promise I’ll leave when you order me away.”
Chloe tilted
