31. Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Blake
I misjudged him. The thought struck me again. Sure, he was violent when he was protecting me, but he’d been nothing but nice, and kind, and compassionate since then.
I drank half the water he’d given me before going to the bathroom to wash my face, wishing I had time to shower. A long, hot shower would help me relax. Maybe after dinner . But now I needed to eat.
The smell of ground beef filled my nose and made my stomach rumble as I walked into the kitchen. “Smells good in here.”
“Thanks.”
AJ looked a lot less menacing while flipping burgers in the kitchen. What is it about a man in the kitchen that’s so sexy?
There was no denying AJ looked sexy with his shirt sleeves rolled up and his cargo pants hugging his muscular thighs.
“How do you like your burgers?”
Shit, did he see me staring? “I, um, medium rare, please.”
“Good." He nodded like there was a right answer. "They’re almost done. Grab a plate and dress your buns.”
Did he just look down at my ass and smile? Must be my imagination. There was no way he’d be interested in a curvy girl like me. Plus, we lived in two very different worlds. Though at the moment I was jealous, because AJ got to be himself in his world and I had to be the woman my father expected me to be in mine.
We talked about trivial things while we ate AJ’s perfectly cooked burgers. The sharp cheddar and crisp bacon made the heart attack on a bun a drool worthy meal. I should have said two when he asked me how many I wanted. But, if it wasn’t proper etiquette or lady like behavior to eat one juicy burger like a man starved, it’d be downright scandalous to scarf down two.
I balanced the meal with carrot sticks. They weren’t as tasty as fries, or AJ's chips, but at least I felt less guilty.
“What TV shows do you like?”
“I don’t watch much TV.” That sounded snobbish. I explained, “I try not to watch too much TV because I’m always worried I’ll lose track. I’m always dying to know what happens next, but I can’t afford to binge watch an entire season.” I shrugged.
AJ had a weird look on his face; one I couldn't interpret. Feeling like I’d shut the conversation down, I added, “But I like watching movies.”
He nodded. “We can do that. I’ll even let you pick.”
“Even if it’s a rom-com?” I teased.
AJ stared into my eyes for a minute before chuckling.
“What’s so funny?” Is he laughing at me?
“Nothing. I just thought you were teasing me.”
I was. His response was perfectly normal. My reaction wasn’t. “Sorry, I…” I wasn’t sure why I over-reacted, so my apology fell short.
“It’s okay.” He smiled. “And a rom-com is fine. We could use something light and funny.”
I offered to clean the kitchen since he’d cooked, but AJ insisted I go to the living room and pick out a movie.
Dad had a full staff, so I’d rarely ever had to cook or clean for myself at home, and we always ate out at school, so it should have felt perfectly natural to let AJ do all the work.
But it didn’t; it felt wrong. And I don’t like it .
I tried to argue, but AJ put his giant foot down and crossed his large, muscular arms in front of his wide, solid chest.
When I put my small hands on my wide, curvy hips in response and stood my ground—he grinned.
It was lopsided, so only the right dimple appeared. I really shouldn’t be staring at his lips . Heat flooded my cheeks.
“Go,” he ordered, unfurling his arms and pointing to the living room.
I wanted to argue and release some of my frustration, but something told me it’d be a bad idea.
How many rom-coms had I seen where the two main characters hated each other right up until they kissed each other mid-fight?
I worried my lower lip between my teeth. No way was I letting that happen.
So why am I still staring at his lips?
“Fine.” I huffed and stomped away. I wasn't irritated with AJ; he hadn’t done anything wrong. I was irritated at myself for being attracted to AJ’s muscles and strength, for staring at his stupid lips, and for dreaming about kissing that stupid grin off his face.