Checkmate

21

"Jarred, what did you do?" I nearly whined when I entered the dining room.

"What? It's just about time for dinner," Jarred, still wearing his apron shrugged before going back into the kitchen.

My grip on the phone and keys tightened as I took in the romantic setup.

Soft Jazz played in the background and on the table was a bottle of red wine.

   The whole ride here I didn't have time to reflect on what seeing him again would entail. This was meant to be a booty call. As blatantly demeaning as that sounds, sex was all I was here for and he knew it. But that didn't stop him from going out of his way to make me dinner.

I turned around on my heels, ready to call the night off when he came into view with two plates of food in his hands.

His smile seemed to fade once he took in my expression.

"Hey, is something wrong?" he said, taking a careful step closer as if afraid to scare me away.

My shoulder slumped and I rubbed my forehead, searching for the words.

"What is this, Jarred?"

He gave me an inquisitive look, and I shook my head, waving my arms around at the preparation he'd undergone for my arrival.

"I thought I was clear last time. I'm not looking for more out of this."

He put our plate on the table as he answered, "And I'm not asking for more."

"Then why stage this like a romantic dinner?"

"Look, I always enjoy some background music when I'm cooking. I wasn't expecting you to call when you did but since I hadn't had dinner yet, I figured you could join me," he explained, closing the distance between us.

The hairs on the back of my neck pricked up when he put his hands on my shoulders.

I looked away from his intricate gaze, suddenly feeling embarrassed for making a scene.

"Besides," he said and lifted my shin before continuing.

"For what I have planned for us, you could use the extra sustenance."

I bit back a grin.

I just made a fool out of myself yet he managed to not make it awkward.

"I'm sorry for assuming," I admitted, barely above a whisper.

"You're good," is all he said.

   For a few seconds, we stood silently before each other. My eyes wandered between his face to anything behind him then back to his face. There was an amused glint in his eyes and I was tempted to look away when he licked his lips and I felt his thumb brush against my cheek.

"You look beautiful tonight."

   I gasped lowly, feeling his compliment activate a flame in my body that only grew hotter when he sealed his lips to mine. My knees bucked from the intensity of our kiss and I moaned when his arms encircle me, holding me close. When his tongue lapped at the sim of my mouth, I granted him access, deepening our embrace.

My head was light as I got lost in passion.

I'm not sure which one of us pulled away first, but the absence had me panting to regain the lost contact.

"You're so sweet. I could have you all night," he murmured.

His heated gaze roamed me over and I sighed in reverence.