Page 36 of Inexplicable

Honestly, I was getting addicted to cooking in a kitchen as nice as Brock’s, and I was a woman who loved food.

“What can I do?” he asked in a voice that wasn’t just polite.

He wanted to help, but there wasn’t much for him to do.

“I’m making lasagna that’s already prepped,” I told him. “There’s not exactly a lot to do right now. I just want to put a few more toppings on the top layer before I put it in the oven.”

This wasn’t a normal pan of lasagna.

It was a family-sized batch because I knew exactly how much Brock and his friends could eat.

The salad was chilling, and the bread was ready for the oven.

I’d made an easy tiramisu yesterday so it could chill overnight.

“If I can’t help, I can bring you a glass of wine,” he suggested.

“That would be amazing,” I agreed.

I wasn’t a big drinker, but I could always appreciate a good glass of wine.

I was getting used to Brock’s thoughtfulness and his willingness to do nice things for me.

Being with him, sharing daily things with him, was getting a little addicting.

Unfortunately, my physical attraction to him wasn’t getting less uncomfortable or more manageable for me.

In fact, being in close proximity to him was almost torturous sometimes.

His scent.

His smile.

His hot body.

His thoughtfulness.

All those things were a lethal combination.

I’d never really had to share space with someone. My previous relationship had never gotten to the point of cohabitating.

Now, I almost hated the thought of going home.

I wasn’t going to be needed here that much longer, and I was determined to enjoy every moment I got to spend here with Brock, uncomfortable or not.

“I really need to start hitting the gym again with all of this good food,” Brock said jokingly as he grabbed a wine glass from the cupboard. “Our walks aren’t going to cut it.”

“I’ll cook healthier,” I promised. “I’ve gained five pounds in the last week.”

“It looks good on you,” he said in a deep, sexy baritone that made my heart skitter. “It’s not unusual to gain weight quickly after food deprivation until you get back to your normal weight.”

“I think I’m going to get back to that weight pretty quickly,” I said with a laugh as I put the last of the cheese on the lasagna. “I’m glad Sara is coming. I really like her, but I still can’t believe you’ve kept Last Hope a secret from her for years now. How do you manage it?”

“It hasn’t been easy,” he explained as he put my wine on the counter. “We all hate it, but secrecy is important. We trust her, but the less people who know about Last Hope the better.”

“I suppose,” I mused. “But she must get worried sick when all of you just up and disappear.”

“We definitely hear about it,” Brock replied.