Page 15 of Wounded Hearts

Her mouth twitched before she began to laugh. “So arrogant. Glad you haven’t lost that sense of humour, Drew. How about I make lunch later so we’re even?”

Much as he wanted to cook for her, he knew she didn’t want to be in debt to him more than she felt she was. He got that; he’d felt that way himself in the past. “Sounds like a plan.”

As he cooked, he kept her engaged with general chat and saw her relax. He plated up and carried both to the small kitchen table and chairs he’d bought from his sister before finding out she and Dane had christened it. He shuddered and then wiped his mind of that nasty memory.

They started to eat in silence but after the first piece of toast, egg, and avocado Mara began to push her food around her plate. “I gave you too much didn’t I?”

She looked up and he thought he could drown in her eyes and be happy. “A little.”

“I do that to my sister, too. I forget how much I eat.”

“You burn a lot of calories with your routine.”

“Yeah, I do. Being healthy and fit is important to me. I had so little control over my early life, and then again when I lost my leg, that what I eat and how I treat my body is important. It gives me a sense of control I like.”

“I understand that, and it’s certainly paid off.”

He was fascinated by the blush that bloomed across her cheeks as she realised she’d complimented him on his body. He debated whether to tease her not and then decided he’d treat her as he had before, but perhaps with a little more gentleness until she was back on her feet. “Like what you see, Mara?”

“I didn’t… I mean. Well, yes, of course. You’re fit.”

He raised an eyebrow and offered her a flirty grin. “You think I’m fit?”

“Yes, of course you’re fit but I didn’t mean…”

“Relax, beautiful. I’m just teasing you.” Mara scowled and he laughed and pointed at the leftover food on her plate. “Can I have that?”

“Sure.”

She pushed the plate towards him, and their hands touched. A bolt of electricity zinged through him at the light contact. Mara looked up. He could see the shock on her face and knew she felt it too. Yeah there was definitely something between them. He finished his food and she sipped the tea he’d made her; the silence was comfortable with none of the strain he hated.

“We need to get you some clothes today. I can call my sister and get her to help with that.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a nuisance.”

“Are you kidding? She loves you. If I don’t call her and she finds out you’re here, which she will because Dane is a blabbermouth where she’s concerned, then I’m dead meat. She’ll annihilate me.”

“Your sister is barely five feet tall.”

“Yeah but she’s mean when she’s pissed, and she’s been training with Lucy and Roz.”

“Point taken. You best call her then. I would hate to be the reason you got that pretty face messed up.”

He grinned at her words loving that she was teasing him back and picked up his phone and called his sister, who picked up on the first ring. “Lauren, I need a favour.”

He listened as his sister spoke, his eyes on Mara. Already she seemed stronger than last night. He wasn’t a fool, he knew it wasn’t that easy, but it gave him hope. He ended the call a few minutes later. “She’s on her way with Dane and the kids and bringing clothes and all the girly shit you need with her.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” They cleared away the dishes and she washed while he dried and soon the kitchen was clean.

“I’m going to grab a quick shower before the horde arrives. Do you need anything first?”

“Nope, I’m good.”

“Fine, remote is over there so if you feel the need for Sunday morning cooking shows then knock yourself out.”

She smiled and he had the overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her until they were both panting, but knew it was too soon. He’d wait, she was worth it, and more than that, she deserved it.