A Convenient Arrangement(31)

“So, did you actually try to cook dinner tonight?”

Leo’s guilty but super cute smile told her that no, he hadn’t actually cooked dinner. She’d guessed when he’d pulled the two blackened Corningware dishes from the oven and one of them had melted plastic in the bottom.

“I cooked that meal about as much as I cooked this one.” He topped off her wine. “I was trying to impress you.”

She leaned back against the leather couch cushion. The idea of Leo wanting to impress her caused a smile to widen over her face, even if the whole thing had ended in a giant mess and a near four-alarm fire.

“You did, actually.”

“Oh no, lady, you impressed me with your firefighting skills. I definitely want you around if there’s ever a real fire.”

“Um, that was a real fire.” Gwen pointed her chopsticks right at Leo. “There were flames, not just smoke. A couple more minutes and there would’ve been firemen, too.”

“I think you’re exaggerating.” Leo plucked a scallop from her plate with his chopsticks.

“Not exaggerating. Not one bit.”

He took a deep breath and released it. “There are many things I feel confident doing, but cooking?” He shook his head. “Cooking isn’t one of them.”

Her stomach wobbled and her toes curled. She knew what one of the many things Leo felt conficdent doing was and that confidence was well-placed. Goodness, he was delicious, almost as edible as her favorite meal, which she’d nearly finished. Knowing he had a genuine fault just made her want him more.

“I do, however, still have dessert.” Leo picked up the remote and paused the film. “But only because it doesn’t require an oven.” He stood and took her empty plate. “Want something sweet?”

Warmth swirled between her legs and heat burst across her cheeks. Something sweet? Oh yes, she was looking at something sweet that she wanted, right now. She cleared her throat. “Sure.”

She uncurled from the couch and followed him into the kitchen. The disaster zone looked to be contained to the oven…well, that and the stovetop. Her aim had been pretty spectacular, all things considered. Leo had declared cleanup wouldn’t proceed until tomorrow.

“I ordered one of my favorite desserts.” He rustled in the refrigerator.

“Cannolis?”

“That’s one I like but,” Leo pulled a tray from the refrigerator, “this is one I love.” He opened the box and pulled out a gorgeous-looking cake, the top dusted with cocoa and sprinkled with shaved chocolate curls.

“Tiramisu.” Gwen’s mouth watered.

Leo liberated two forks from the utensil drawer. He stuck one right into the rich dessert. “I’ll let you have the first bite.”

Her heart careened in her chest. That sultry voice, those eyes, the magnetism she could feel radiating from his body… How sexy to be fed a delectable dessert by this absolutely gorgeous man. A devilish smile tugged his lips and his eyes sparkled. Sex on a stick. She slowly opened her mouth and he guided the bite between her lips.

Soft creamy richness filled her mouth. Her eyes closed in delight. The bittersweet taste of chocolate and coffee rolled over her tongue. “Oh my God, that’s good.” She opened her eyes. Leo studied her reaction, his gaze no longer playful but intense with heat.

“Looks very good.” The rough, rich timbre of his deep melted her core.

Sparks of attraction arced between them. Gwen opened her mouth to speak, but she didn’t have words. Leo set the dessert down, stepped forward. Her back pressed into the counter and he rested a fist on either side of her. His lips so near hers. She couldn’t pull her gaze from the mouth that weeks before had kissed her senseless and left trails of heat on every inch of her skin. His hard maleness pressed against her hip.

“You have a little bit right here.” He leaned toward her. Gwen’s breath shortened. That smile. Those eyes. His entire body skimmed hers, then his lips were on her lips, and his sweet soft velvet mouth pressed to hers. His tongue coaxed her lips apart, their breath mingling. Leo’s arm encircled her waist and pulled her close.

Her entire body tingled. A throbbing want pulsed between her legs. She wound her hands up around his neck and her fingertips wove through his thick black hair. Oh, yes, please. This wasn’t like New Year’s; she’d had little wine, her head was clear, and it all felt much more real, more tentative. Yet the desire burned with the intensity she remembered. A moan passed over her lips as their kiss deepened. Leo’s arm tightened around her.

The scent of him. Strong and clean and so very male. Her yearning for him set her insides on fire. His lips left hers, traveling along her jaw and down her neck, his hand still heavy on her waist, holding her possessively close. He pulled back and looked into her face. His eyes held a question.