“Every time?” she teased.
He stalked across the kitchen toward her, loving how she squealed when he grabbed her. Caitlyn was playful and fun, and damn if he didn’t love bringing out that side of her. Troy’s large hands spanned her waist, and then he was lifting her onto her counter. She grasped his shoulders in surprise, but he didn’t hesitate, just leaned down and kissed her.
She tasted sweet, like the white wine she’d sipped moments ago while cooking. He was more of a beer guy, but hell. He loved the sweetness of the wine on her lips. Gently trailing his tongue along the seam of her mouth, his chest swelled as she opened to him. Troy loved the feel of her curves against him and stepped even closer, claiming her mouth in a searing kiss. Her chest rose and fell as he kissed her more deeply, and it was all he could do not to sweep her off to the bedroom right then and there.
Caitlyn was whimpering on the counter as the food began to sizzle, and then she yelped to take the pan off of the stove.
“Sorry,” he said, not feeling sorry in the least. He turned off the burner, waving his hand at the smoke that had just started to fill the air.
“Oh no,” she said, hopping down from the counter, and then he did feel a bit of remorse at her crestfallen face.
“They’ll be fine,” he soothed. “I think just part of the fruit in the sauce began to burn. We’ll avoid that part and eat the rest.”
“I know. I just wanted to make something special for you.”
“Hey,” he assured her, tilting her face up toward him. He couldn’t resist once again kissing those pink lips. “You could’ve ordered pizza and I’d be happy. I just love that I get to see you.”
She nodded, but he could see that her eyes were watery. “I’ll cook for you next time, Butterfly. I promise it won’t be anywhere near as amazing as this.”
Caitlyn plated the food while Troy poured them each some more wine, and they carried their plates to the table. “Sorry if I was flustered. I just wanted everything to be perfect.”
“It is,” he said.
She shrugged. “I’m a perfectionist. It makes me a good event planner but a lousy girlfriend. Not that I’m your girlfriend,” she hastily added. “I just meant—”
“I know what you meant. And I haven’t seen or thought about another woman in weeks. Hell, I haven’t actually dated someone since the tire lady.”
Caitlyn burst into laughter. “The one that ditched you when your sister had a flat?”
“The very one,” Troy said, taking a sip of his wine. “I told you I tried to find you after we met at the beach and I didn’t hear from you. And after that night on the yacht? Hell. I haven’t been able to get you out of my head.”
“Me either,” she admitted. “I mean, I hadn’t dated in a while anyway. I think I told you that when we first met, but….”
“But what?” he asked, pinning her with a gaze. He knew Caitlyn was a little hesitant about jumping headfirst into things. He liked how she’d opened up to him though, both emotionally and physically. And he loved kissing her and making out with her on the sofa. But he didn’t want her to have any qualms about him. Or them as a couple. Maybe they hadn’t outright made it official yet, but he sure the hell wasn’t interested in dating any other woman.
“I’m falling for you, and it scares me.”
“Don’t be scared. I haven’t felt this way—well, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way. Sure, I’ve dated plenty over the years. I’m thirty years old. A lot of times, I was just going through the motions though. I’d ask a woman out, try to get to know her, and we just didn’t click for whatever reason. With you, it was instant. Hell, I jogged across the beach just to meet you. And when I first touched you? I know we were only shaking hands, but damn. That was electric, Butterfly.”
“You did jog across the beach just to meet me,” she said, smiling shyly at him.
“And I love that you text me just to let me know you’re thinking about me. I can’t always answer immediately because of training, but it feels good. The guys were even ribbing me the other day about how often I check my phone.”
“Harper teases me, too,” Caitlyn said.
“We’ll have to all get together sometime. Hey, Logan’s single. Maybe they’d hit it off.”
“Probably, but Harper would chase after any guy. She’s the total opposite of me. We balance each other out,” she said with a laugh.
They began eating, Troy praising how awesome it tasted. The burned portions of the sauce were still in the pan, and what they were eating was spectacular. “You could be a chef,” he said appreciatively. “Seriously,” he added when she raised her eyebrows. “I can grill a burger or maybe cook some mac and cheese—from a box. This is something you’d order in a restaurant.”
“Maybe if you’re good, I’ll make you dinner again sometime,” she teased.
“Oh, I can be good,” Troy said, waggling his eyebrows. He chuckled as she flushed. He would love to know what she was thinking. “You sit while I clear the table,” he said, standing up and getting their plates. She followed him into the kitchen anyway, and after she’d set their glasses on the counter, he pounced.
“I told you to relax,” he mock growled. Caitlyn laughed as he swung her up into his arms, carrying her toward the sofa. “You’re
