Jack

 

 

I pushed the door to the bakery open, welcomed by the ding of the bell above the door, then by Remmy. “Oh hey, you! You’re in early!” Then she eyed me cautiously. “Well, look at you.”

“What?”

“That smile.”

I laughed. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh my God.” She walked out from behind the counter, never taking her eyes off me. “It’s him, isn’t it? The bow tie guy. What was his name? Lawson?”

I pulled my lips into a pout. Well, I tried, but they went back to smiling without my consent. “Yes, his name is Lawson. And I still don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Remmy laughed at me and gave me a hug. “Tell me everything.”

“We had a second date last night. Having a third tonight. I’m also spending the day with him out in the national park.”

She wrung her hands together and buzzed excitedly. “Did he wear a bow tie last night?”

“Yes, he did.”

She made some weird, dramatic sound. “Aww, he’s so cute!”

“And he’s smart, and he’s sexy as hell.”

“And Rosemary?”

“Loves him.”

Remmy’s eyes got teary. “Awwwww.”

“Actually, Rosemary is spending the day with us too. I think he’s a bit taken with her.”

“Thank God. I thought he might be a bit timid around her,” Remmy said. “You know, he seemed the type to be timid…”

If she was referring to the nerdy, bow tie-wearing, genius look he had going on, she was very wrong. “Ah, Lawson’s not timid.” I bit my lip. “About anything.”

She laughed and gave me a knowing grin. “And that explains the smile.” She went back around the counter. “Did you actually want anything or did you just come in here to brag?”

I snorted. “Surprise me. Anything you think we might like to eat today. And something for Rosemary too.”

Remmy had a separate small display of bone shaped cookies for her four-legged customers. Made solely with ingredients for human consumption―oats, carrot, peanut butter, honey―Rosemary would eat them as fast as Remmy could make them.

Remmy put some pastries and bread into a paper bag for me. “What are your plans for your date tonight?”

“Not sure yet. Something at home. I’ll cook for him again while he gets through his paperwork, which will leave more time for… other things.”

“Ah, confident, I see?”

“Well, I don’t think I should assume anything when it comes to Lawson. I get the feeling he’ll keep me on my toes.” I was back to smiling. “In a good way, of course.”

Remmy winked. “Of course.”

“Well, I better get going.” I took the bag of goods and offered her a twenty, which she refused to take. So, without a word, I walked around her side of the counter, opened the till, and slid the money inside. She rolled her eyes. I gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t want to be late.”

“Have fun tonight!” Remmy waved me off as I walked out the door. I put the bag of pastries in the Esky I had on the back of the ute. I’d put some fruit in earlier as well, not knowing what Lawson might want to eat today. I climbed into the driver’s seat and gave Rosemary a pat for being patient. “One more stop to make.”

I bought some takeaway coffees, enough for everyone in the office and one for Lawson too. I slid the two trays on the floor at the passenger side, where they wouldn’t spill onto Rosemary. “Don’t touch. They’re hot,” I told her, though I dunno why. It wasn’t like she knew what the word hot was. But she knew what don’t touch was, and like a good girl, she didn’t give the trays of coffee a second look. “You’ll have to wait until lunchtime for your cookies.” Her tongue lolled out in her doggy smile. I was pretty sure she knew what the word cookie was. After me, I think Remmy was her favourite human.

I drove to work, handed out coffees, and explained I’d be out doing field assessments again today. No one batted an eyelid, but when Lawson arrived right on eight thirty, there were a few knowing smiles. No one seemed surprised that Lawson knew Rosemary already, or they hadn’t realised that it meant he must have been to my house. But when I walked out the door with him and a tail-wagging Rosemary, Karen gave me a ridiculous smile and mouthed “good luck.” I cleared my throat, grateful Lawson hadn’t seen it.

The day was warm already. Well, warm for Tasmania. The morning summer sun made Lawson look angelic. He wore long pants again, good for getting through long grasses and bushes, and hiking boots, a polo shirt that matched the blue of his eyes, but the lack of bow tie was disappointing. We walked toward his Defender, and I pretended that I hadn’t checked him out already, focusing on the day ahead instead. “So, what’s the plan of attack this morning?” I asked.

Lawson sipped his coffee. “I’d like to investigate the areas where you have seen the Sweet Bursaria plant. The ones we marked on the maps last night. I have three locations marked as a priority, given the northerly aspect. So I thought we could start there.”

I had a bag with me today for my laptop and camera, a shovel and soil sample bags, and some data collating. As much as spending time with Lawson was more pleasure than business, I did actually have some work to do.

I put the Esky into the Defender, hooked up Rosemary’s harness to the backseat, and climbed in. “Is she all clicked in?” Lawson asked, scanning the rear-vision mirror.

“Yep.”

“Does she prefer the window up or down?”

Lawson asked the question so seriously, but all I could do was smile. He treated my dog like her well-being was important to him, and it made my chest all warm and tight. “Down, of course.”

Lawson found the right button on the driver’s side door and pressed it, and within no time, we were following GPS directions to his first destination. I could have told him where to go, but I liked that he used initiative and didn’t rely on anyone else.

As the rain-deprived highway scenery flew by and Rosemary had her nose out the window, I couldn’t help but look at Lawson and smile. “Sleep well?” I asked him.

“Yes, very. And you?”

“Very.”

“I think your colleagues at the office suspect there might be other reasons you’re accompanying me.”

“I think you might be right.”

He shot me a concerned glance. “Is that… Is that problematic?”

“Nope.”

“How do they know? Have you told them of me… and what we’re doing?” His cheeks reddened deliciously.

“No. But you called Rosemary by name, and the only place you could have met her already was at my house.”

He frowned. “Oh. Of course. I’m sorry. I hope that hasn’t put you in a difficult position.”

“Not at all. I am actually doing work today, and they won’t even know if I happen to sneak in a little make-out session with the sexy lepidopterist during my lunch break.”

He blushed properly this time, heat stains running from his cheeks down his neck in the most wonderful way. He dismissed my compliment with an eye roll. “If I ever find an attractive lepidopterist, I’ll be sure to pass on your number.”

I laughed. “Believe me, I’ve found one.”

“You’re absurd.”

“If you need me to do a full case-study on this new, exciting specimen of sexy lepidopterist, I’ll be only too happy to oblige.”

He squirmed in his seat. “And that would involve what, exactly?”

I was grinning, glad he was playing along. “I think the sexual habits need a full review. I’m enjoying the courting rituals so far. I’ve seen some sexual activity, but I don’t think I’ve even scratched the surface yet. But I’m certain this particular specimen is like nothing I’ve ever known.”

Lawson’s eyes went from the road to me, then back to the road. He licked his lips and the colour on his cheeks deepened. He shifted in his seat again and cleared his throat. “Is that right?”

God, at this rate we’d be naked before morning teatime. Needing to pull back the tension a bit, I sighed. “Yep. I’m considering giving David Attenborough a call.”

Now he chuckled. “I met him once.”

“David Attenborough? Get out!”

“But we’re not there yet.”

I barked out a laugh. “Did you really?”

“Yes, I did. At a gala in Melbourne. He was most charming.”

And so we talked about things he’d done, the people he’d met, and the places he’d been until we arrived at our first destination. I really had no idea someone who studied butterflies could live such an interesting life. It was pretty evident that when he didn’t have his head in a book, he was out getting things done. Travelling, taking courses, hiking in far off places, all in search of elusive butterflies.

I had to admit, I admired him. Okay, I more than admired him. I was enamoured with, charmed by, and attracted to him.

I couldn’t deny it. If there was a list of things that needed to be included in my perfect guy, Lawson Gale ticked every single one. Hell, he even ticked boxes I didn’t know needed ticking.

“You getting out?” Lawson asked, his voice startling me from my thoughts. He didn’t wait for an answer. He just opened his door and got out. He had the back door open and was getting his gear out a second later. I unclipped Rosemary, and she climbed out and was soon sniffing her way around the clearing.

“Don’t go too far,” I told her.

“Do you always talk to her?” Lawson asked, putting two stacked plastic storage tubs into the centre of the clearing.

“Of course I do.”

Rosemary chose that particular time to inspect what Lawson was doing. Then he spoke to her, “He talks to you all the time, doesn’t he?” She wagged her tail and smiled at him in response, and he tousled the fur on her forehead. “I bet you have him wrapped around your little finger,” he went on to say to her. “If you had a finger, that is.”

“Are you done?” I asked, when the truth was, I could watch him talk to her all day long. I walked over to them with the laptop satchel. “I’m not wrapped around her little finger. I would say I don’t spoil her, but I’d be lying. She’s my best mate. Of course, I spoil her.”

Lawson looked at me then, an amused smirk on his face. “If you didn’t, I wouldn’t be here. Well actually, that’s not correct. I’d be here, but you wouldn’t be with me.”

I scoffed. “Is that right?”

“Yes. What makes you think yours was the only test upon my meeting her?” He raised a daring eyebrow at me. “If I’d have gone to your house and met your dog and it was apparent she was maltreated, I’d have walked away, right there and then, without another word.”

Well, I’ll be. “So I passed your test?”

He fought a smile now. “With flying colours.”

I grinned, then walked over to stand right in front of him. “We might both be technically at work right now, but would you be opposed to me kissing you?”

Something flashed in his eyes like humour, or a challenge. Possibly both. “I’m not opposed. Actually, I rather like it that you asked permission.”

I leaned down until my lips barely touched his. “I rather like that you like it.” I kissed him then, with open lips and I tilted my head enough to make it playful and perfect. I pulled away, and his eyes slowly opened to reveal a dazed look.

“I rather like it a whole lot more when you don’t stop kissing me,” he said.

I chuckled. “If I keep going, then I’ll keep going, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh.”

“And I need to keep some secrets hidden for Date Number Three. I’m going for a hat-trick.”

He licked his bottom lip and took a small step back, clearly needing some distance. “I’m sure it’ll be perfect. No matter what you decide.”

The truth was, I hadn’t decided what I was doing for dinner. I had no clue yet. “So, work. We better get started or dinner tonight will be eggs on toast.”

He opened the first tub and took out his maps. “I like eggs, just so you know. I can eat the finest dining at black-tie galas, but I’m equally happy with eggs on toast. It’s the company that matters.”

I was grateful he was distracted by his maps so he couldn’t see the goofy smile I’m sure I was aiming at him. “Right, then.” I heaved my satchel up on my shoulder. “Work. What are you doing first?”

“Well,” he answered, holding the unfolded map out and changing his stance to face north. “I’m going to do a very basic grid formation. I won’t be heading any further than two hundred metres in any direction.” He then concentrated on his iPad, showing the same map as the paper one at his feet, the same maps we’d dissected last night. He wrote something on the screen, then started to take readings of temperature and barometric pressures or whatever it was he was doing. He was so engrossed in his work, I thought it best to leave him to it.

“Right, then, we’ll just be here. Rosemary,” I called to my dog. She was sniffing at something thirty-odd metres away, but she was quick to come back when I called her. I told her to lie down under the shade of the Defender, and soon enough she was happily snoozing.

I took photographs of the track we’d driven on, good for condition reports and records. I took soil samples, checking for moisture content. I’d have preferred an auger, but doing it by hand was cathartic. I loved being outdoors, getting my hands dirty, and doing hard, physical work was rewarding. It was hot, and I had worked up a sweat by the time Lawson came back.

“Looks hard,” he said, nodding to the hole I was working on. “The ground, I mean.”

“It is. We need rain badly.”

“Yes, I’m still surprised Tasmania is this dry.” He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “I understand the entire state isn’t prone to high rainfall, but even farmlands in this area which would be typically lush have browned off. Underfoot is very dry.”

I nodded. “Department of Meteorology says we should get rain next week. Not that it’ll be drought-breaking, but we’ll take anything we can get.” I noticed then he was still holding his iPad. “How’d you go? Find anything promising?”

He shook his head. “Not yet. I’ve covered the northeast areas of what we marked out last night. I’ll start on the south and west now.”

“Need me to help you?”

He gave me a small, thankful smile. “It’s fine. It won’t take me long, and I’d hate to take you from your hole digging.”

I snorted at that. “Soil testing for moisture content, thank you very much.”

His smirk in response told me he was only joking. “I’d like to assess a second area after I’m done here. Is that okay with you, or do you need more time here?”

“I’m right to go whenever,” I said. “I also packed us a lunch, so just give a holler when you’re hungry.”

“Oh.” He seemed taken aback. “Thank you. That was most thoughtful.”

“I try.”

“Lunch and dinner,” he mused. “I’ll have to think of ways to repay you.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “While I can think of a few things,” I hinted, “I don’t actually expect anything in return.” I gave our surroundings a quick glance. “This isn’t exactly a horrible way to spend my day.”

He smiled, and his eyes never left mine. His gaze was intense and somehow playful. “I preferred my suggestion of repayment, but if digging holes does it for you, then I’ll keep my suggestions to myself.” He turned and walked away, heading toward the line of trees to the south of us.

“I like suggestions!” I called out after him. “You can repay me however you see fit!”

He turned to give me a smile but kept walking. I sighed, resting on my shovel. Damn. He was just getting more and more perfect.

And it was getting more and more hot. Another half an hour of digging baked earth had me a sweating mess, so I took off my shirt. I wiped my face down with it and tucked it into the back of my pants. I was finished digging and was lying down on my stomach, scooping out a sample of soil at 400mm for collection, when someone cleared their throat.

I looked up to find Lawson standing, watching me. And from what I could tell, he liked what he saw. “I got hot,” I explained.

He swallowed hard. “I would argue the fact you were hot before the temperature rose. But I won’t lie, you shirtless and lying down in the dirt does improve the aesthetics.”

I laughed, and putting my hands on the ground near my shoulders, I jumped to my feet. “Is that so?”

He was staring at my chest and stomach, both covered in sweat and dirt. “Mmm.”

I might have flexed a little, just for show, as I took my shirt and wiped myself down again. He didn’t even try to hide the fact he was gawking at me. When he finally looked at my face, I was grinning. “So? Did you discover any non-existent butterflies in the southwest section?”

His eyes flashed with something like indignation and he tilted his head. I don’t think he liked my question. “No.”

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Do you think I’m foolish for taking Professor Tillman at his word and spending my time searching the woodlands of Tasmania for a species that might not even exist?”

“What? No, I don’t think that at all.”

“Would you mind putting your shirt back on please?” He licked his lips again. “I can’t seem to concentrate.”

“Sorry,” I said, not really sorry at all. Seeing Lawson all flustered did great things for my ego. I pulled my shirt over my head.

“I’m not doing this for the glory of it,” he added. “Searching for this species.”

“I know that.” I looked him right in the eye so he would see my sincerity. “No. I think you’re passionate, and you love what you do so much that you want to believe Professor Tillman. Because what if he’s right? Because what if there is a species of butterfly never documented before! And what if you’re the one to find it? You’re not in this for the glory, even I can see that. You’re doing it because if this species does exist, there needs to be research and breeding programs and funding. Finding it is just the beginning.”

He didn’t speak for a moment, just looked at me like a cryptic riddle in his head finally made sense. “Well, yes.” He looked to his feet, then back to me. “No one’s ever understood that part of me. Not outside of my work, anyway.”

A warmth expanded in my chest at his words. “Then no one’s ever paid close enough attention.”

“No,” he answered quietly. “I guess they haven’t.”

Changing the subject, I dusted off my hands. “Want some lunch? I’m starving.”

We ate our lunch of pastries, bread, and fruits while Rosemary chomped through her doggie cookies, and Lawson started asking me questions about what I did every day. “What do you love about your job?”

“Being outdoors. Days like this: sitting in the shade out in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but peace and quiet and the sounds of birds, crickets.”

“What’s your least favourite thing?”

“Paperwork.”

“Really?”

“I hate it.”

“I find paperwork relaxing.”

“Relaxing?”

“Yes, it’s methodical and predictable. It calms my mind.”

“It turns my mind to sludge.”

Lawson let out a long breath and smiled serenely. “Well, if this is your office, your view isn’t half bad.”

“Tell me about your office.”

“It’s small. Half the size of that of my boss’s. I assume it reflects my pay and importance, by comparison also.” He smiled, I assumed to let me know he was either joking or he found the humour in the truth of it. “The laboratory is my favourite workspace. Well, not even workspace. Any space, really. But this here…” He looked around. “This isn’t too bad at all.”

I got to my feet and extended my hand to him. “Come on. Lunch is over.”

Lawson allowed me to pull him to his feet, but as I suggested we head to the next area we’d marked on the map, he frowned. “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I was under the impression that along with lunch there was also making out?”

I laughed at how unashamed he was. “Oh, were you?”

He lifted his chin and fought a smile. His defiance and humour were cute as hell. “Yes. If I recall correctly, you said no one will know if you happen to sneak in a little make-out session during your lunch break.”

Now I laughed more genuinely. “Ah, that’s where you’re wrong.” I put my hand to his jaw and lifted his face a little. “I’m pretty sure I said ‘a make-out session with the sexy lepidopterist.’”

He rolled his eyes and I crushed my mouth to his. He was startled by the contact, but I held his face right where I wanted him. He melted against me, sighing into the kiss. I tilted my head just enough to deepen the kiss, and he slid his hands around my back.

God, he tasted so good. He fit against me perfectly, and his arms around me felt divine. His hands clawing at my back felt even better…

Rosemary huffed at our feet, making us break apart. She sat there smiling up at us.

I took a step back and let out a laugh, running my hand through my hair. I was a little embarrassed at how carried away I’d gotten. “I uh, I’m sorry. That got out of hand.”

“Don’t apologise.” Lawson thumbed his bottom lip, and Jesus help me, I almost groaned. He had no idea―absolutely no clue―how sexy he was. “I think Rosemary knew she’d better interrupt.” He licked his lip and cleared his throat. “Or it could have gotten very out of hand.”

I took a very large, very deliberate step back. “Agreed.” I turned and pointed to the Defender. “We really should get more work done.” I was grasping at my self-control, and if he hesitated in the slightest, even the smallest bit, I doubted I’d be able to stop myself. My dick was half-hard and at an odd angle, and I really needed to adjust…

His line of sight followed my hand, and he swallowed hard. “Work, yes.” Thankfully, he turned and started to collect our lunch leftovers, putting them back into the Esky. He gave Rosemary a pat and shot me a hesitant look, his eyes dark. “I think work is a very good idea.”

So we did work, all afternoon. We found the next area I’d shown him on his map last night. It was about a kilometre further up on the track we’d taken into the National Park. He did his grid-walk of the area we’d highlighted, and I took more soil samples, took photos of the vegetation, and of a tawny frogmouth’s nest. We didn’t track every kind of native animal or bird, but noting locations and activity when I could never hurt.

Lawson found nothing again, and even though he said he expected nothing less, I could tell he was a little disappointed. It was in his eyes, and as he drove us back toward town, it was in the way he fidgeted in his seat and the tic in his jaw.

“Tomorrow’s another day, huh?”

He brightened some. “Yes.”

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Remmy. Call past home. I have something for your dinner date tonight.

I smiled. “You know, I’m pretty sure Remmy thinks I’m useless.” I held up my phone to show him the message.

“You told her about our date tonight?”

“Yes, of course. I called in to see her this morning to collect our lunch, remember?”

He nodded. “Oh, right.”

“Well, I didn’t actually have to tell her anything. She guessed as soon as I walked in.”

He glanced at me, then back to the road. “What do you mean?”

I pointed to my face. “The smile. Gave me away, apparently.”

His answering smile was slow spreading. “Oh.”

“So she’s taken it upon herself to prepare something for our dinner tonight. I told her I had no clue what I was gonna cook, but it had to be special, ya know, because of the perfect date pressure you put me under.”

He snorted. “I told you I don’t need anything extravagant. It’s the company and conversation I scrutinise. Not the food.”

“Good to know the pressure is on my personality and not anything else.”

Lawson laughed. “Exactly.”

* * *

After parting ways with Lawson, I knocked on Remmy’s front screen door. The wooden door was open to let the breeze in, so I could see inside. I heard little footsteps before I saw the culprit. Luca, all long blond curls and cute dimples, wearing only a pair of shorts, sprang to life in front of the door with a giggle. “UncaJack!”

“Hey tiger,” I replied.

Luca roared at me just as Remmy came to the door, wiping her hands on a tea towel. She let me in and Luca launched himself at me. I picked him up. “Jeez kid, you’re getting too big! Have you been playing in your mum’s garden? You’re growing like a tomato plant!”

Luca laughed. “I show you,” he said, squirming to get down. I followed him into the kitchen, where he leaned up on his tiptoes so he could reach and pull over a bowl of home-grown vegetables. “These are from my garden.” He reached in and took a tomato in one hand, a zucchini in the other. His little fingers barely held them. “I can make ratooey.”

“Ratatouille,” Remmy gently corrected.

Jeez. The kid was four and was a better cook than me. I guess that’s what happened when your parents, French and Portuguese, were chefs. “Make sure you save a seat for me when you do, ’kay?”

The kid beamed before running to the fridge to get himself a drink. He put the jug of juice on the counter, and Remmy watched on as he poured himself a cup. “He’ll hold you to that,” she said fondly.

“Good. I’ll look forward to it.”

“Next week?”

“It’s a date.”

She smirked. “Speaking of dates…” Remmy went to the fridge and pulled out a tray that had some kind of baking paper pouch on it. “For a perfect date tonight.”

“You didn’t have to do this,” I said kindly.

“It was no problem. I was making it for our dinner, so it was easy to make enough for you.” She unwrapped the corner of the paper pouch. “I put that twenty you put in my till this morning to good use. It’s rainbow trout with a splash of Thai spices. I wasn’t sure if Lawson liked spicy food, so I kept it fairly tame. All you need to do is pop it in a hot oven for twenty minutes. It’ll steam in the paper. Then serve with steamed veggies and you’re golden.”

“You’re an angel.”

Nico walked into the kitchen. “Ah, the man with the perfect date,” he said with a warm handshake. “Good to see you, my friend.”

I chuckled. “Well, I’m aiming for three outta three in the perfect date score. I think Remmy’s almost got me home with this.” I gestured to the trout she’d prepared.

Nico rubbed his belly. “Don’t know how I’m not the size of a barn.” He kissed Remmy’s cheek. “The hardships of marrying a pastry chef.”

“Well, I don’t know what I’ll cook for Date Number Four,” I said. “Don’t know what will beat fresh trout prepared by a chef.”

“I cook for you, UncaJack,” Luca said. He was kneeling on a stool at the bench next to me, sipping his cup of juice. “I make ratooey.”

“Oh Luca,” Remmy said. “UncaJack doesn’t want us there on a date, darling.”

“I don’t mind,” I said. “And I’m sure Lawson wouldn’t either.” Because if he didn’t want to spend any time with my dearest friends, then maybe there was no long-term hope for us. “We can have dinner at my place. Only if it’s alright with you.”

“Can I, Mama? Can I?” Luca pleaded.

Seriously, the kid was so stinking cute with those big eyes and dimples.

I gave Remmy my best grin. “Come on, it’ll be fun. And I know you’re itching to give Lawson the third degree.”

Nico snorted out a laugh. “She is.”

“Then let me make dessert,” Remmy said.

“You’re doing enough!” I tried to reason. I knew Luca cooking meant that Remmy was supervising, and by supervising, I meant doing most of it.

Remmy waved her hand in the air, dismissing my concern. “Ah, it’s nothing.”

Nico gave me a sympathetic smile. “You know she’s not happy unless she’s feeding someone.”

That was true. “Well, thank you. I’m very grateful.”

“Wait until after dinner before you thank us,” Remmy said, winking toward Luca. “And I suggest you tell Lawson before you drop him into this.”

“Ah, where’s the fun in that?” I asked. “Let’s see how he likes surprises.”

Remmy laughed. “I guess it’s one way to see someone’s true colours.” She handed me the tray of trout. “Here. Don’t want to keep him waiting. We’ll be at your place at six tomorrow night, that way we can be out of your hair by seven thirty.” She waggled her eyebrows at me. Nico laughed, and Luca was busy already lining up his tomatoes and zucchinis along the counter.

I gave Remmy a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. And I’ll see you then.”

* * *

By the time I got home, I barely had enough time to shower and get some veggies sorted for steaming before Lawson arrived. I heard his Defender pull up and met him at the front door. He’d showered too, and was now wearing brown pants, a faded denim long-sleeve shirt, and his trademark bow tie. He took my breath away. I leaned in and kissed him softly, square on the lips. “Hello there.”

He produced a small bottle and frowned. “I wasn’t sure if I should bring a gift or token of thanks. I know it’s customary for the guest to do so, but I couldn’t think of anything that seemed appropriate or that the local supermarket would sell. But I found this, and given it’s a local product, and you like to cook, I thought…”

I took the bottle and read the label. It was a locally produced gourmet strawberry coulis. “You don’t have to bring anything, but thank you.”

He rewarded me with a smile that made my stomach flip. “Something smells amazing.”

“Dinner, which I can’t take credit for. It was all Remmy’s doing. Hope you like a Thai-inspired trout?”

He hummed. “Sounds lovely.” We walked inside where he gave Rosemary a welcoming pat, and I thought now was a good time as any to bring up dinner plans for tomorrow night. “Now, I don’t want to assume there will be a Date Number Four, but I might have already organised something…”

“Oh?” He leaned against the kitchen counter, completely at ease. “You’re that confident to presume a fourth date?”

I shrugged at him. “Confident. Hopeful. Same thing, really.”

He smiled and a faint blush covered his cheeks. “I’ll have to check my schedule, but I think I’m free.”

I chuckled. “Good. Because I have a personal chef lined up to cook here, just for us.”

He stared at me. “Are you serious?”

I nodded. “Yep. He’s a cutie too. There’s a downside, though.”

“What’s that?”

“We won’t be dining alone.”

“Oh.”

“They’ve promised to leave early, though. I hope you don’t mind.”

His blush deepened. “Not at all.”

I traced the heat across his cheek with my thumb, then gave him butterfly kisses along his cheekbone. His breath caught, and he slid his hand around my neck and pulled me in for a kiss. Fuck. I pushed him against the kitchen counter, and he deepened the kiss with a groan from the back of his throat.

God, I could kiss him forever.

And just when I took a breath and kissed him again, the microwave beeped and startled us. I laughed at myself for jumping, and Lawson licked his bottom lip. “That would be the rice,” I said lamely. I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off his mouth. “Which we could totally ignore for a while.” I kissed him again, only this time to be interrupted by the oven timer.

He chuckled. “I think the universe is trying to tell us something.”

“Yeah. If I burn Remmy’s trout, she’ll kill me.” So I served dinner, which was outstanding. Lawson made a point of complimenting the rice and steamed beans and baby squash, knowing it was the only thing I’d done. But we sipped wine and made small talk about new government environmental protection laws, climate change, and music, but there was an underlying static, a charge of sexual tension that never went away.

It was in every forkful of food, every lick of his lips, and in every sip of his wine. It was in his eyes when he looked at me, in how his fingers held his wine glass. Even the line of his jaw, his neck, the timbre of his voice. Every single thing he did turned me on.

He took a sip of wine and slowly put the glass on the table. “If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t say no to whatever it is you want to do to me.”

Oh, fuck.

I couldn’t speak for a second. I had to take a breath first. “I can’t help it. And I can’t even bring myself to apologise. You’re sexy as hell, Lawson, and you have no idea what it is I want to do to you.”

His cheeks flamed but his eyes darkened. He held my gaze, daringly. “Does it, in any part, involve your mouth on my body?”

All pretences were down and I was done for. Every nerve in my body was a live wire, and my cock throbbed and my balls ached with need. I stood up, my chair scraping on the floorboards. I walked around to his side of the table, and he never even attempted to stand up. He simply sat there and stared up at me with a knowing, brazen smirk and waited for me to make my move.