Page 196 of The Storm

Because I would have waited for as long as it took him to get here.

“Batch number four.”Nick holds a spoon out to me. “This one’s got a tablespoon of soy sauce in it.”

I eye the row of identical bowls lined up next to where I’m sitting on the counter then dutifully lean forward and swallow the contents of the spoon.

I sigh happily and lean back.

“Awesome,” I say.

He lets out an exasperated sigh. “And would you say ‘awesome’ is an upgrade from ‘really great’ which is what you said about the third version?”

I purse my lips. “I liked number two best.”

He nods and crosses his arms over his chest. “Why?”

“Because it tasted the best.”

“That’s really not helpful.”

“How is it not helpful?” I ask with a laugh. “You want to know about the taste. I told you what tasted the best.”

“But what makes it better than the other three?”

“The taste?” I smirk when he tugs my earlobe and tries to look annoyed. “Okay, okay. Let me think for a second. Give me some more.”

He holds the spoon out for me and I taste it again. We’ve been at it for a while, taste testing different versions of the sauce he’s been trying to perfect.

“I like the lemon,” I say. “Gives it a kick. And I like the texture. It’s creamier than the other three.”

He eyes me for a bit. I raise my brows just before he leans forward and presses a kiss to my lips.

“Thanks,” he says. “Number two it is.”

“Just like that?”

“Did you change your mind?”

“No. Just… You don’t want to get a second opinion from somebody who knows what they’re talking about?”

“No.” He licks the spoon then puts it down on the counter. He hooks his thumbs into the waistband of my sweats and starts to tug them lower until the head of my cock is trapped betweenmy stomach and the fabric. Cool air hits the tip and makes a shiver race down my back.

“But I feel like I should return the favor now. Taste something you made.” He waggles his eyebrows.

“It’s the same old thing.” I’m breathless already.

“I know. It’s a classic for a reason,” he says, just as he yanks me off the counter into his arms. I yelp and wrap my legs around his waist.

He carries me to the bedroom, and I laugh the whole way.

I rollmyself toward the edge of the bed with a groan. It’s so warm in Nick’s bed. Wrapped in his arms. Tucked against his chest.

I never want to leave, and that’s exactly why I have to go.

He pats the bed next to him and blearily opens his eyes.

“What are you doing?”

He looks adorably rumpled with his bedhead and his bare ass peeking out from under the sheet haphazardly twisted around his hips.