Page 57 of Hard to Get

“I guess we could argue about whether this is really a second date or still the first one.”

“A really long first date.” I give her a hot look. “And we could make it even longer.”

15

STELLA

I know exactly what he’s saying. And I’m not opposed to it. I’ve had more fun today than I’ve had in… crap, it has to be years. I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun with a man, even when I first started seeing Cole.

“Now who’s greedy?” I tease him.

“I won’t deny it. Hey, you think my clothes are dry? I don’t really want to answer the door to the pizza delivery guy wearing a robe.”

“They probably are.”

He sets his beer on the coffee table and waves me down when I start to get up. “I can get them.”

He jogs up the stairs.

This has been… crazy.

I let my head fall back onto the couch cushion.

I knew I’d end up naked with him. I’m so attracted to him. But the more time I spend with him, the more I like him: his personality, his sense of humour, his desire to improve himself. And what appears to be completely non-toxic masculinity.

The naked times were phenomenal. The first time was fast, sure, but I was okay with that because I was pretty worked up, too. But after that… holy hotness, I’ve never felt so worshipped and cared for. I’m getting that flippy feeling in my belly all over again just remembering it.

I would not say no to more of that.

The doorbell rings just as Jayden gets back downstairs. I get out plates and cutlery and set the dining table while he answers the door. When we sit, I push aside my hot pink dendrobium so it’s out of the way.

“Aren’t those hard to grow?” Jayden asks as we dish out food onto our plates.

“They can be. That’s why I took a course. I have a whole bunch more upstairs in the spare bedroom.”

“It’s pretty.”

“I love them. There’s a nursery in West Van that I like to go to.” I make a face. “I have to control myself or I’d fill this whole place with them.”

“I’m so hungry, I could eat that orchid.”

I crack up. “Don’t do it! Here, have some salad. It’s almost the same.”

He laughs, too. “Yeah, it’s green.”

“It’s a healthy salad, though. Chicken, salami, feta cheese… protein, right?”

“Right.” He piles salad onto his plate.

We talk about anything and everything while we eat. Talking to him is easy.

After dinner, I get out food for Betty. “Will Frank eat some of this?” I ask Jayden. “I assume it’s dinner time for him, too.”

“What is it?” He comes over to inspect the kibble.

“I also have this fresh food.”

“I don’t like changing his diet suddenly. But I don’t want him to starve.”