I reluctantly moved to help Jace retrieve my belongings from the car. I wanted to stand there forever to stare at the blue sky that very soon would be twinkling shamelessly with glittering stars. But I had to get things going. Especially, dinner.
Jace waved off my offer for assistance and so I rushed on in to wash up and get dinner going. I pulled out some potatoes from the pantry and pulled out the frozen meat from the freezer. I wanted our first dinner back to be special so I thrust the frozen stake into the pressure cooker and tossed in the tomato paste, basil, rosemary, paprika and added the salt and pepper to taste before I poured in the store bought chicken stock and closed the lid.
Then I peeled the potatoes and threw it into a pot to boil. I would make mashed potatoes and gravy then have a coleslaw salad on the side.
I had set about shredding the carrots for the slaw when Jace made an appearance. I stared at the sleek lines of his muscular frame forgeting just how good he looked shirtless. I guess it didn't matter if I was over him. Just looking at him was enough to turn any girl's head.
"Sorry, am I making you feel uncomfortable?" Jace asked straight forwardly pointing out the elephant in the room. My suddenly dry throat didn't help matters. I needed water. So without answering I dropped what I was doing and went to the sink to fill in a glass and gulped it down before I whirled back around to face him.
"Nope, its fine. I'm fine," I gasped out.
Jace came over to me to place a finger beneath my chin and lift my face up to his.
"Are you sure?"
I simply nodded. He stared into my eyes for a moment before nodding his head and moving back to take a seat at the kitchen isle.
"So what's smelling so good?" Jace asked with undisguised eagerness. I flashed him a grin thankful for the ice breaker.
"Mash and beef with gravy and slaw," I said simply.
"Oh god that just made my stomach rumble," Jace said facetiously.
I smiled back at him happy to be back here with him. It has been so damned long. I simply couldn't believe it.
I tossed the slaw and laid out the table.
