Perfect by Design

16: Grayson James

Grayson

The smell of bacon hits my nose, and I jump up, panicked.

"Indy, step away from the stove now."

She turns to face me with a smirk on her face. Slowly, she raises her arms with a loose hold on a spatula in her left hand.

"Well, good morning to you too, sunshine."

I step toward her, and she tugs her bottom lip between her teeth.

"You trying to burn the place down so neither of us has a place to live?"

She giggles, and her eyes light up. This all feels so intimate, too intimate.

"Maybe you should look at the table, Johnny boy."

I arch a brow at her, and she smirks, daring me to decide if I'm going to take the bait or not.

Looking to my left, I see pancakes and eggs on the table. When I turn back around, her usually confident, borderline cocky persona is replaced with raw vulnerability.

"You opened your door when I needed it, and you even gave up your bed for me. I wanted to thank you."

"You cooked this?"

"Sure did." She lights up. "Well, I FaceTimed your mom, and she helped. She's a much better teacher than you, by the way."

"You didn't have to do this, Ind."

"I wanted to. And I'd say this is proof I should be promoted."

"Promoted?" I step closer to her.

She gulps, and her hold on the spatula suddenly isn't so loose.

"Ye—yeah. I'm at least a semi-competent sous chef now. Don't you think?"

I step even closer; we're basically chest to chest. She looks up at me, her eyes blazing. Leaning in, I watch for her reaction. If she's rattled, I can't tell.  I rest my thumb under her chin, forcing her head up just slightly.

Her lips part before quickly closing. I fight the urge to smile. My girl wants this, and when she's ready to take what she wants, I'll be right here, but until then, I guess we'll be playing this game.

I lean in closer, my cheek brushing against hers as my lips settle just beside her ear. "I think your bacon is done," I whisper.

"Ri—right. The bacon."

I step away just enough for her to turn and retrieve the bacon. Every moment between us is electric. I didn't know life could be this exhilarating.

She walks over to the table, clutching the plate with the bacon like her life depends on it.

"I hope you like it." She won't look at me. She's flustered; I know it. Come on, baby. Be brave.

I grab the only other seat at the table across from her. Honestly, I'm a little afraid to taste this food. Her and the kitchen are a match made in hell.

Eggs seem like a safe bet. I'll start there. I scoop a small amount on my plate, way less than I'd normally eat, but given the circumstances...