Page 36 of Taming I Do
“Is that all you’re having?”
She rubbed a hand over her stomach. “I ate way too much last night at that restaurant.”
“Yeah, Ortega’s does an amazing job.” I pulled up a chair next to hers. “There’s another place over past Swynton that has the best cheese enchiladas. I’ll have to take you there while you’re in town.”
“I’d like that.”
“Me, too.” Before I drove myself crazy trying to figure out if I’d just asked her out on a date or if she’d accepted as a friend, I slid the first bite of pancake into my mouth. Delicious. “This is great.”
“It would be better if you had a stocked pantry. Don’t you ever eat at home?”
“Not often. I usually grab dinner up at the house or stop and pick something up. Do you like to cook?”
She cut off a small bite with the side of her fork. “I love it. But I haven’t had very many opportunities lately.”
“That trailer doesn’t have much of a kitchen.”
Nodding, she slipped the bite into her mouth, and for a moment I focused on those soft, full lips.
“Well, you’re welcome to cook in my kitchen whenever you want.” I shrugged. “I’ll even stock the pantry if you tell me what you need.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Careful what you offer. I might just take you up on that.”
“I hope you do.”
A look passed between us that made my pulse tick up. A hint of heat sparked in her eyes, making me want to pull her into my lap and pick up where we’d left off the night before. I forced myself to shut it down.
“You’re on. I figure I owe you something for taking care of the cricket problem. If you’re serious about letting me use your kitchen, I’d love to make you dinner one night this week.”
My stomach rolled as I thought about Delilah moving around my kitchen with the same kind of ease she’d shown this morning. So much for keeping my distance. I could do it, though. She might look like a goddess, but I could keep myself under control.
“That sounds great. Now what do you want to do about your wardrobe?”
“You don’t think I should go out in public like this?” She laughed as she looked down at myGig ’Emshirt.
“I think you look great.” I wasn’t lying about that. Her hair was piled on top of her head, still damp from her shower. She didn’t have a trace of makeup on her flawless skin, and if I’d run into her in public, I never would have guessed she was the reigning Miss Lovin’ Texas. “You should wear makeup less often.”
“I’m not sure how to take that.” Her fork stabbed another bite. “Are you trying to say I look bad with makeup on?”
Now I’d stepped in it. “No, you look just fine with makeup.”
“I must not do a good job with it though if you think I look better without it.”
“That’s not what I meant at all. I was trying to pay you a compliment. You don’t need all of that crap on your face or those sparkly, glittery dresses to look beautiful. I think you’re gorgeous just the way you are. Right here. Right now. With me.” I let my fork clatter to my plate.
Her eyes went wide. “I was just teasing, Jasper. Thank you for saying that. Most people forget there’s something beyond the Miss Lovin’ Texas sash. I appreciate you noticing.”
I didn’t want to acknowledge the vulnerability. “I grabbed some stuff from my dad and I’m going to run over to the trailer now. Do you want to come with me so you can pick out some clothes?”
“Yes, thank you.” She gathered our empty plates and took them to the sink.
“I’ll clean up when we get back. Come on, I’ll run you by the house and you can borrow something more appropriate from my mom or sister.”
“Oh, I couldn’t.” Her mouth twisted into a frown. “Can’t we just sneak back so I can grab something of my own real quick?”
“Not on a Sunday. Helmut does a full brunch buffet at the Burger Bonanza. You show up looking like that and tongues will start wagging.”
“Okay then. I guess I don’t have much of a choice.”
