Chapter 12 #2
The chicken was sliced and thoroughly washed with vinegar and seasoned.
The garden salad was chilling in the fridge.
She had a wine she had bought at the liquor store breathing on the counter, and the table was set.
The chicken would not take long. It was baked honey chicken with a touch of barbecue sauce, a recipe she had seen on Pinterest. The jasmine rice was steaming, and she had taken a shower.
The slinky robe she was wearing was new.
She had succumbed to her weakness and indulged herself at the delightful lingerie store next to the gallery, with the cute name "Entice Me.
" The thin model-like woman with the bright copper red hair and beautiful cat eyes had informed her that it would do wonders for her sex life.
As if she needed any additives. Her sex life was already off the charts.
Hugging herself, she could not help but recall how Everton had made her feel like a cold fish. A woman without passion, one who had no hope of ever pleasing a man.
"Stop it." She whispered firmly as she marched over to put the chicken on. "No more."
*****
He could smell the meal from the porch, and it swelled his heart to realize she was cooking for him. She had informed him that there was no need to pick up takeout.
"As much as I would love it, we cannot live on sex alone." He had told her teasingly. By the time he was ready to leave, he had assumed control of his anger.
"Ha. Ha. It so happens I'm cooking."
He had been pleased to hear how cheerful she sounded.
"Should I stop for some Pepto Bismol instead?"
"Keep it up pal, and you will be going without a meal."
He considered that it was a good sign. They were bantering with each other. He knew there were undercurrents there and broken pieces to be mended, but right now, he was going with the flow.
Pushing the door open, he stepped into the tiny foyer and took off his light jacket.
Winter was creeping back in with biting wind and an ominous looking sky.
But that was Birchwood for you. Winter never seemed to want to give up its icy hold and allow spring to take over.
Hanging up his jacket on the hook near the door, he followed his nose and went into the kitchen.
She had music blaring from her computer.
Something bluesy, B.B. King, he thought as he pleasured himself by looking at her.
She was completely unaware she had company and was singing along with the lyrics.
He was sweetly surprised that she had a very sexy singing voice.
He felt his blood thickening as he took in the slinky emerald green robe she had on.
"Something smells divine."
He had to pitch his voice over the music and had her jolting.
Turning around, she sent him a slow welcoming smile that further warmed his heart.
"Hi."
"Hi." Crossing to her, he simply lifted her to meet his mouth. When she wrapped her hands around his neck, he deepened the kiss, drinking her in. She tasted like ripe raspberries and honey.
"What's that smell?"
"Hmm?" She was still a little dazed by the kiss.
"What's for dinner?"
"Chicken and rice and a salad." She was content to stay in his arms. "I bought a bottle of wine."
"I've been meaning to bring several from the wine cellar at home."
"Now why am I not surprised that there's a wine cellar?" She mused.
"Why should you be?" He kissed her again, before releasing her reluctantly. "What can I do?"
"Wash up. Dinner is ready."
"You cooked. I cannot tell you how that makes me feel."
"Don't get used to it." She warned as she turned towards the counter.
"Don't spoil it. I'll be right back."
She waited until he had left to press a hand against her stomach and took several deep breaths.
She enjoyed cooking for him. When he spoke and she turned and saw him leaning against the jamb, her heart did a slow dive.
He really was very good to look at. The gray dress pants and red sweater looked so good on him.
Not to mention the thickness of his tousled hair.
This was the man who told her he was in love with her.
The same one who had made love to her last night with a desperation that had made her yearn.
Shaking her head, she went back to put the finishing touches to the meal.
He deliberately stayed away from anything heavy, sticking with the light topics.
He told her about the cozy little villa they owned in Tuscany and the couple who were tasked to take care of things there.
He also spoke of the upcoming Easter parade which was a big deal in the town of Birchwood.
She had seen the signs all over town and the decorations, easter eggs, bunnies and some garden gnomes were displayed in the parks and at the town square.
"Why is it such a big deal?" She was pleased that he had polished off the chicken and rice and asked for seconds. Her first attempt had been successful, and she was relishing the look of approval he had given her.
"Birchwood was founded by an ancestor of mine more than a hundred years ago.
" He picked up his wine and washed down the last bite of chicken.
He was pleasantly full and relaxed. Leaning back in the chair, he was prepared to enjoy his woman.
She looked mellow and relaxed, her face softened by the candle she had lit.
The scent of flowers, ones she had picked outside filled the air, along with the smell of the meal.
"He was a priest." He grinned at the look of surprise on her lovely face.
Her lips were moist from the wine. Very soon, he was going to just lean over and avail himself of her.
He needed her. The thought sent a quick tumble inside his chest. "He had just come over from Italy with the idea of trying to convert the natives.
He wasn't successful, well not much, but he found this little place miles away from Virginia and took up residence.
He also found a woman, fell in love and married her. "
Her tapered eyebrows lifted. She had polished off her own meal and was enjoying the wine and his company. Kicking off her shoes, she curled her feet under her and relaxed.
"Was that supposed to happen?"
"No." He grinned at her. "He failed abysmally as a man of the cloth or so the story goes.
But he wanted to salve his conscience by steeping the town he had discovered in religion.
His first act was to build a church with the help of his wife, who was very handy with tools.
His name was Samuel Tierney. The place was originally called Tierney Village, but after the population grew in numbers, another ancestor decided to change its name. "
"A fascinating story. I suppose it was because of the number of birchwood trees all over the place." She murmured.
"Precisely." His green eyes were making her nervous.
"What?"
"You're so damn beautiful." His voice was gruff.
"Thank you."
"I mean it. You deserve to be treasured."
"Saying thank you for the meal is acceptable." She started to pick up her wineglass when he reached over and took her hand.
"You're uncomfortable with compliments. I intend to change that."
Her elegant fingers moved restlessly in his and she wanted to deny what he just said, but he had hit it on the head.
"What does the parade entail?" She knew she was changing the topic, but she wasn't ready to get into that with him.
Lifting her hand, he brushed his lips across her knuckles, his twinkling gaze telling her he knew she was being evasive.
"A parade complete with a giant Easter bunny and some very pretty high school girls wearing bunny outfits.
" He grinned at her narrowed gaze. "When I was a kid in high school, I used to get a kick out of watching the parade at the side of the road.
They also have a Ms. Easter beauty pageant at the end of the night, right in the town square.
" He still had her hand in his. "I dated one when I was a senior in high school. "
"I bet you did." Her dry tone had him chuckling.
"Where is she now?"
"I believe she met some musician who came here for an extended visit and moved away when he left.
Broke my heart for about two minutes." He twined his fingers through hers.
"There's also a church service on Sunday at the town square.
" His eyes met hers. "I want us to attend both events.
The Tierney's always make a contribution as well as crowning the current Ms. Easter.
I have been assigned the task to do so this year. "
"As long as you're not planning on dating this one."
His heart thudded inside his chest at the statement and felt hope blossoming.
"Why would I sell myself short when I have my own woman?"
Aria ignored the way her heart did a swift glide inside her chest.
"Why Tierney, you sound very archaic."
"I happen to be very old-fashioned." His eyes turned intimate as he continued to stare at her.
"Why don't I help you clean this up and we retire early?
" Using his free hand, he slid a finger over the raw silk, loving the way the front gaped open, revealing flesh.
He could clearly see the outline of her nipples beneath the material.
"Is that all you can think of?" She was trying to sound neutral and in control, but with him looking at her like he wanted to swallow her whole, it was very difficult. "Sex?"
"I make no apologies." He murmured. "On second thought, we should leave the cleaning up for later.
" Rising, he moved around and drew her up.
Bringing her close, he wrapped his fingers around her throat.
"From the moment I stepped over the threshold, I wanted to ravish you.
Here." He bent to kiss the left side of her neck.
"You smell like something to eat. And here.
" He was pulling her left lobe between his teeth, toying with a colored stone there. "I cannot wait."
"We should. Oh!" She whispered, fingers gripping his shoulders.
"You were saying?" Lifting his head, he slid his gaze to her moist lips.
"Never mind." She sighed and melted against him.