Sheâd thought they might laze around, watch a movie, make love in front of the fire. âA tree?â
âYeah. Itâs fallen over the drive. If we donât shift it, neither of us is going anywhere. Scrambled eggs and bacon, I think. You can make toast and another pot of coffee.â
Dallas made the cooking process fun. He touched her at every opportunity. Casual caresses, true, but her pulse raced and her mouth soon ached from smiling so hard. While Dallas took charge of the cooking, she set the table.
âTake these plates while I grab some orange juice.â Dallas handed over plates filled with fluffy eggs and crispy bacon. She set them down and pulled out a seat.
âDid you rub lotion on your butt after your shower?â
âIâyes.â Laura felt the heat seep into her face.
âAre you sore?â
âNo.â She sat on the edge of her chair and couldnât prevent a wince when she instinctively slid back fully onto the seat.
âLiar.â Dallas took the place opposite her, his long legs jostling hers. On purpose, she discovered when she ventured a look in his direction. âOur liaison wonât go well if you donât give me the facts. How can there be trust between us if we donât have truth?â
He was right, damn it. âMy bottom is a bit tender. Standing doesnât hurt but I felt it when I sat.â
âThank you for admitting that.â He flashed a grin. âYou now have a delightful reminder to follow my instructions. Taste the eggs. I make very good eggs.â
After wriggling to find a comfortable position, she started on her breakfast. It was delicious, and she was surprisingly hungry. But one of the nicest things was the fact she could eat and express enjoyment without having parental disapproval hovering like one of last nightâs storm clouds. âIâve never enjoyed dry toast for breakfast.â
âThen why do you eat it?â
âMy mother approves of toast, and I prefer peace in the mornings.â
âAh, well. Eat and enjoy.â
âHave you always wanted to manage pubs?â
âI sort of fell into it. My parents owned the original pub, and my older brother wanted to travel instead of manage a pub. I was the next choice. Now that Quinn is back at home, the three of us have a hand in the business.â
âDo you enjoy it?â
âI do, most of the time. I enjoy the interaction with the public.â
âMost of the time? What parts donât you enjoy?â
âThe paperwork drives me nuts, and occasionally it would be nice to get away. I manage a few nights at most and usually spend them here at the cabin. Youâre not alone in wanting to explore more of the world.â
They chatted with none of the morning-after discomfort sheâd experienced in the past. They laughed and argued and agreed to disagree about their tastes in music. If only Dallas had been another man. Any relationship between them would be temporary. She knew and accepted the limitations, even though they chafed her sense of fair play.
âReady to go out and play in the great outdoors?â
âI am. Do you have some spare clothes I can change into afterward? I didnât bring many with me.â
âMy younger brother left some of his stuff here. Donât worry. Weâll find something for you or baring that, Iâll make sure the cabin is warm enough for you to go naked.â
âYou want to see my boobs.â
âGuilty,â he said. âYou have gorgeous breasts. Nice ass too.â
âWhat about the dishes?â
âWe can do them later.â He stood and held out his hand.
Laura let him lead her to a mud room where he found her a jacket, gloves and a hat. There was even a pair of gumboots, which with the aid of two extra pairs of socks, sort of stayed on her feet.
Outside the sun was doing its best to creep from behind cloud cover. She caught her breath
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