have sat at the table. In this intimate corner of the room, with the natural light barely reaching them, this seating arrangement felt far too…opportunistic.
But he seemed to be behaving himself. Given he’d made the affable gesture to join her, but not too close, jumping up now to eat at the table alone would look noticeably rude and, hopefully, unnecessary.
After a few moments of mutual munching, Devlin sucked the salt and sour cream off his thumb and noted, ‘That looks, uh, healthy.’ He offered a chip. ‘Want to try one of these?’
Her fork tapped her plate. ‘I prefer natural ingredients.’
‘Fries are natural too. Potato cooked in natural oil seasoned with natural salt. Three food groups, and I haven’t even started on the sandwich.’
A smile played around her mouth. She’d missed his dry humour…the slight burr in his speech whenever he teased through a crooked grin.
Letting her guard down a little more, she stabbed at some blue-vein cheese. They had time for a lesson in nutrition.
‘The calcium in dairy foods like cheese is terrific for healthy bones.’
His mouth twisted. ‘Mouldy cheese and I don’t get along.’
Fair enough. ‘Fruit is great for glowing skin.’ She held up a slice of apple. Then, remembering the champagne-infused fruit she used to feed him when they’d dated, she rethought the move.
But he’d already leaned forward to loosen the apple off her fork. ‘Glowing skin, huh?’ He flexed a brow. ‘How can I resist?’
He popped the slice into his mouth and slid down from the couch onto the carpet alongside her. His plate settled on the floor to his left as he chewed, swallowed, then licked his lips.
‘Nice.’ He tipped his chin at her plate. ‘And that?’
Although her stomach somersaulted and better judgement screamed to move away, she preferred to stay calm. She wasn’t a baby. She could handle Devlin Stone. She’d got him to back off earlier, hadn’t she? He knew she was serious. What was more, notwithstanding the chronic sexual pull, he didn’t want to get involved any more than she did. He was merely trying to get along for the kids’ sake.
She indicated the pecans. ‘Nuts are protein rich. They’re delicious mixed with cereal when you jump out of bed in the morning.’
‘What if you don’t want to jump out of bed? What if you want to take your time?’
She slid him an arch look. Was he being light or leading?
Looking offended, he pinned back his shoulders. ‘What? I’m only saying that I enjoy a good long stretch in the morning.’
Feeling her breasts swell, she sidled a little away. She knew very well how much he enjoyed his stretch in the morning.
He drew up his legs and angled one tanned forearm over a bare knee while he started on his sandwich. When his towel marginally slid up his athletic thigh, a pulse fluttered in her throat and she swallowed hard.
How on earth was she supposed to eat now?
After a few automaton mouthfuls—trying to keep her mind and gaze off her companion—she announced, ‘Delicious, but I’m full.’
He wiped his mouth on a napkin. ‘Me too.’ He leaned over to take more apple from her plate, then stopped to ask, ‘Do you mind?’
She forced a smile that didn’t betray how fast her heart was beating. ‘Silly to let it go to waste.’
Drawing away, he took a bite from the slice. ‘So, what’s next on the agenda?’
She smiled saccharine sweet. ‘We could see if our clothes are ready?’
He didn’t seem to hear as he slid the rest of the apple into his mouth. Resting his forearms on raised knees, he slowly chewed, seemingly lost in his thoughts, even as his eyes searched hers. Then his head dropped back and he chuckled.
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