Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
With a renewed sense of hope, Titus invited Emelia to his cabin for dinner. Colt, their IT specialist, was diligently working on Felicia’s suggestion to check out the bakery’s previous owners. He was also looking into the backgrounds of all her employees and anyone who worked on the renovation. It would take a while, but Titus was feeling positive that her problem would be over soon.
She arrived a little after dark. Titus’s stomach growled just as she knocked, and he thanked the heavens she volunteered to bring dinner.
He opened the door to a cool night. Looking through the trees, he could see a large white orb and twinkling stars. The soft glow of the full moon illuminated Emelia. She paired a white off-the-shoulder top with form-fitting jeans that hugged her figure. She looked yummy, but the scents of basil and garlic wafting from the takeout bag almost did him in.
“You’re looking particularly sexy tonight,” he murmured in her ear as he kissed her cheek and relieved her of the takeout bag. His stomach rumbled again.
“I think you’re just happy I brought food.” She laughed as she walked into the kitchen.
“Trust me. I used up a lot of energy thinking about you today,” he quipped.
She shook her head and smirked. “Men.”
Titus got the plates and silverware and watched her take out multiple containers of food. “Where did you order that from?”
“Oh, a new Italian takeout store opened down the street, and I thought I’d try it. Several people in the bakery have been there and loved it.”
He watched as she uncovered an array of mouthwatering dishes. “Tell me what you brought. I recognize meatballs and spaghetti. What else do we have?”
“Well, I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I got a selection.” She pointed to each dish. “There’s an antipasto, manicotti with spinach and ricotta, chicken piccata, beef braciole, sausage and peppers, braised broccoli rabe, and green salad.”
Titus laughed. She brought enough for two more people to eat and still have leftovers. “It’s a feast.”
“Oh, and I brought dessert. Some new recipes I’m trying out.”
Titus’s lips met hers in a passionate kiss. “That’ll be the best part. At least until later.” He winked at her. Titus was looking forward to that part.
“Let’s bring our plates outside,” he said, gesturing toward the patio. “I’ve set up a table and made a fire.” They helped themselves, trying a little of everything, and walked outside.
“Oh, Titus, this is beautiful,” Emelia exclaimed.
Titus looked at the patio, making sure everything was perfect.
Earlier he had strung small white twinkling lights, placed candles on the table, and was ready to light the fire in the firepit he and Zach built the day before.
He’d already placed a bottle of red wine and glasses out. He bought the wine earlier, not knowing what Emelia was bringing, and he was glad the wine merchant suggested a Sangiovese, which would go with most foods.
Titus lit the fire, then sat and poured a glass of wine for Emelia and himself before sitting down next to her. The fire crackled, and flames danced seductively toward the night sky. The scent of wood burning brought back memories of camping in the wilderness after he got out of the service.
“If I didn’t know any better, I would think you’re hoping to get lucky tonight,” Emelia said, smiling.
Titus chuckled. “I’m already lucky.”
She blew him a kiss.
“A toast,” he said, raising up his glass. “To the prettiest and sexiest woman I know.”
Emelia clinked her glass with his and countered, “And to the most romantic man I know.”
“Hear, hear!” Titus exclaimed.
Emelia shivered as she put her glass on the table.
“Are you cold?”
Shaking her head, Emelia replied, “No. This just seems unreal.”
“What does?” he asked.
“You. Me. Being here. The fire. I love sitting outside.” Emelia looked off into the woods. “It’s so peaceful, and I feel like we’re the only two people in the world.”
“Good. That’s the atmosphere I was going for.”
Tonight was just about them. He didn’t want to think about Colt and what he might find. He wanted Emelia to relax and not worry that her peace would be upset again.
Emelia took a bite of the manicotti and moaned in delight. “Oh my, this is delicious.” She looked over at Titus’s plate. “You didn’t take any.” She cut a piece with her fork and held it out for him to try.
He leaned over to taste. The texture and taste exploded in his mouth—perfectly cooked pasta, creamy filling, spicy tomato sauce, all topped with cheese. “Delicious.”
They ate in comfortable silence. The aromas of their meal lingered. When they finished, Titus rubbed his stomach. “That was delicious. I can’t wait to see what you brought for dessert.”
He gathered the plates and brought them into the kitchen while Emelia started the coffee. Then she opened another bag and placed two trays of delectable pastries on the counter.
“So, I made a lemon ricotta cheesecake,” she announced proudly. “And … cannoli, because why not?” She chuckled and pointed to the other tray. “There are also caramel macchiato biscotti to go with the coffee and a lemon olive oil cake.”
“Wow! You’ve been busy. They look delicious.”
Emelia shrugged modestly. “Well, I’ve been testing recipes for the next farm-to-table dinner Isabelle and Will are sponsoring,” Emelia explained, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “It’s Italian-themed. I sent a tasting to Isabelle and can’t wait to hear her selection.”
Titus picked up the trays while Emelia carried the coffee and cups out to the patio. She placed one of each pastry on his plate. Thankfully, they were small, because Titus didn’t think he could eat much more.
“Will you stay the night?” he asked after they’d finished dessert and coffee. He sure hoped so. It was Saturday night, so Emelia didn’t have to work until Tuesday morning.
“I was planning to. In fact, I already asked Vanessa to pick up Leo after the gym closed.”
He leaned over to kiss her. She tasted of sugar and lemon and caramel with hints of coffee. Their tongues clashed, and he wanted to pull her into his lap, but his elbow accidentally pushed a cup off the table, coffee splashing everywhere.
“Damn. That’s a mood buster,” he exclaimed.
Emelia reached down and picked up the pieces. “No. It’s just a sign that we need to go to bed,” she said with a smirk.
Titus raised a brow. “Damn, woman, you surprise me.” He hurriedly picked up the trays of pastries and the coffeepot. “I can’t wait to get you into bed.”
As they cleaned up and extinguished the fire, Titus’s mind was on pleasure, but he couldn’t shake a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. What would Colt find, and how would it affect Emelia? Him? Their relationship?