Chapter 16
Cobra arrived home from Savannah later than he had planned due to flight delays.
Still, he had some time before his dinner with Desiree.
And he couldn’t wait for that. All the uncertainties and doubts he’d had about being with her had faded from his mind.
All it had taken was three days spent with his brothers, who had always been his best friends.
Surprisingly, they hadn’t mentioned anything about the bet, and he was relieved.
It was as if they had decided they’d accept the outcome, for better or worse.
But then, they might not have mentioned it because they were sure they were going to win, and didn’t want to rub it in.
If that were the case, he would just have to prove them wrong.
After rolling his luggage into his bedroom, he pulled out the recipe his mother had given him from his carry-on bag. A short while later, he had ordered all the ingredients from the marketplace he normally used, with arrangements for everything to be delivered to his door.
He’d never invited a woman to his home for a meal. Never. But tonight, not only had he invited Desiree, but he was also actually looking forward to cooking for her.
With nothing left to do until his groceries arrived, he was about to go into the living room when he saw the packet from Landon on his dining room table.
He picked it up, figuring it might be a good time to review it.
Staring at it for a moment, he placed it back on the table. There was another way to handle it.
***
Desiree slid onto the leather seat of the private car Cobra had sent for her.
Although she hadn’t spoken with him since Sunday night, she had texted him earlier today, telling him that she was looking forward to seeing him and asking that the car pick her up from home rather than the office, so she could change clothes. She wanted to look her best for him.
She looked down at herself. She’d loved this sundress the moment she had seen it when she’d been out shopping a few weekends ago. Both excitement and apprehension were warring inside of her. She had no idea what to expect tonight.
Once she entered his home, she would be at his mercy.
Well, it was too late to worry about that now.
Besides, she trusted him. He had told her he had a lot of self-discipline, and he had proven it to her — several times.
But there was no reason she couldn’t try to tempt him and see just how far he’d go.
“We’ve arrived, Ms. Sharpe.”
Was she here already? She remembered him telling her that he lived in Harlem, but she hadn’t known his place was this close to her grandfather’s home.
Less than a couple of miles. Glancing out the window, she gazed at the brownstone outside the car.
It was stunning, stately, and charming, just like the man who lived there.
The driver opened the car door and helped her out. She thanked him, and when she headed up the steps, the wrought-iron glass door with intricate detailing and a brushed-gold finish suddenly opened, and Cobra stepped on the stoop.
She paused so as not to miss a step. Standing there in a buttoned-up shirt and a pair of dark slacks, with his hands shoved in the pockets, he was drop-dead gorgeous. Definitely easy on the eyes.
“Hello, Desiree.”
“Cobra,” she acknowledged.
“Welcome to my home.”
“Thanks for inviting me.” Swallowing deeply, she continued up the steps.
After nodding his thanks to the driver, he reached out to assist her up the remaining two steps.
Desiree felt the heat from his touch all the way to her bones, and her body trembled from the seductive look in his gaze.
When they were standing directly in front of each other, close enough that if she moved even an inch, their bodies would be touching, he tightened his hold on her hand and led her into his home.
***
Cobra was nearly drowning in her scent as he escorted her inside his home.
When he opened the door and saw her coming toward the steps, he had to fight back the jolt of sexual hunger that stirred to life in his midsection.
She looked mouthwatering in that blue sundress with thin straps across her shoulders.
The hem stopped just above her knees, showcasing a gorgeous pair of legs.
“Your home is beautiful, Cobra.”
He gazed down at her. “This is the foyer. You haven’t seen the rest of it. Let me give you a tour.” That was something else he had never done before. Even when he lived in the condo, the only rooms his dates saw were the ones they passed on the way to the bedroom. “But first, I need this.”
Lowering his head, he captured her lips, thinking that the more he kissed her, the more he needed to kiss her.
She was an addiction he was starting to like a little too much.
Almost as much as he loved holding her in his arms. And when she returned his kiss with as equal fervor, he wondered… What was he getting himself into?
Growling low in his throat, he reluctantly dragged his mouth away.
Otherwise, he would delay giving her the tour of his home ─ except for his bedroom ─ and his brothers would win the bet.
But then, why make it to his bedroom? He was very, very tempted to push her against the wall, unlock his zipper, pull up her dress, and push her panties aside, then slide inside of her, giving her everything he had.
“Cobra?”
At the sound of his name, he shook his head to clear it, then glanced down at her. “Yes?”
“You said something about giving me a tour.”
Yes, but that was before he’d started thinking of giving her something else. “I did say that, didn’t I?” Tightening his grip on her hand, he said, “Come with me, Miss Sharpe.”
***
Desiree was amazed at every room they entered. The place was completely enchanting—the design of the furniture, the color scheme, the atmosphere. Every room seemed to have an identity of its own, and she loved it.
But the room that really took her breath away was his bedroom. He said the bedroom set had been handcrafted by renowned furniture maker Reese Singleton, who owned a huge warehouse in Newton Grove, North Carolina. And the double doors in the room led out to the rooftop that was almost magical.
When they returned to his living room, she sniffed the air. “Hmm, something smells good.”
“I believe you will enjoy it. It’s seafood spaghetti marinara.
Mom and some of her friends take a cooking class in New Orleans at least once a year,” he said, leading her into the dining room.
“She comes back home with a couple of new recipes. When I went home the week after Colton’s wedding, she tried it out on me, and I loved it. So I wanted to share it with you.”
“That was a wonderful thought, Cobra. Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’m just giving you a fair warning that it might not taste as good as Mom’s.
She has a way with food that I’m not sure I inherited.
She seems to know just which spices to use to enhance the flavor.
Since Dad’s heart attack, she’s had to curtail cooking some of her favorite dishes. They’re a bit too spicy.”
She nodded. “I’ve been meaning to tell you something, Cobra. Something I feel bad about. After you told me about your father, I realized why you’re concerned about my grandfather’s health, and why you got upset with me when I accused you of having ulterior motives.”
Cobra brushed a lock of hair back from her face. “You accused me of something I didn’t do, something I would never do. My friendship with Richard is solid. He’s someone I admire and respect. I’ve learned a lot from him.”
She bit back a snide comment. It wasn’t Cobra’s fault that her grandfather had taught him things that he hadn’t bothered teaching her. “Well, I admit that I owe you an apology. I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted. And I need to apologize to you as well. I was out of line when I accused you of being jealous of me because I was here with him when you weren’t. Will you accept my apology, Desiree?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that he hadn’t been wrong. Maybe one day she would confess to that, but not tonight. She lowered her head. “Apology accepted.”
Then, as if it was the most natural thing to do at that moment, he drew her into his arms and kissed her.
She thought she would never get enough of his kisses.
Each one was unique and bolder than the one before.
He certainly had a way with his tongue that thrilled her, and as they kissed, her hips seemed to automatically flow into his, aligning their bodies perfectly.
As the kiss became more heated, her heart began to race, and she couldn’t help but moan in feminine appreciation. He could arouse her as no man had done before. His male power surrounded her, but not to conquer her. Instead, she felt enveloped by it, embraced.
Reluctantly breaking off the kiss at the sound of her stomach growling, she licked her lips. “I guess I’m hungrier than I thought. My stomach has decided to remind me that I skipped lunch today.”
“You skipped lunch? Why?”
There was no way she was telling him the thought of joining him for dinner had made her too excited to eat. Instead, she said, “I got busy. So, when do I get to try out this dish that I’m sure will taste just as good as your mom’s?”
“I’m not saying it’s as good as Mom’s, but you get to try it out now.” Still holding her hand, he led her into the dining room.”
***
Cobra couldn’t help grinning at the number of times Desiree told him how good the meal was. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Mom said it makes great leftovers, and there’s plenty left if you want to take some home with you.”
“I’d like that. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, standing to start clearing off the table. She stood to help.
“You don’t have to do that,” he said. “I’ve got this.”
“I don’t mind helping. You fed me, and I appreciate it,” she said, clearing the table as well.