“Right. Forget I asked,” she commented dryly.
From his seat, Brody watched as Ro got to work making the quick and comforting meal. She was so graceful in her movements. Even the way she buttered the bread before placing it carefully in the hot skillet was mesmerizing.
And as he watched her hands as they prepared their food, Brody couldn’t help but remember the way they’d clutched onto him the night before during the kiss that had damn near knocked him on his ass.
A kiss she has no idea ever happened.
With his elbow leaning on the table, he ran a tight hand over his bearded jaw. God, he didn’t want to tell her. She was already embarrassed as it was. And it wasn’t like anyone got hurt by what she’d done.
What they’d both done.
He could just not tell her, since he was the only person on earth who even knew the kiss happened. So if he just kept his big trap shut…
This is about more than her embarrassment. This is about your friendship and her trust in you. You keep this from her, and she somehow does remember it later, there will even worse hell to pay.
He’d tell her. Hewould.Just…after dinner.
“Figured I should probably steer clear of alcohol for a bit, so I went with iced water.” She set two clear glasses filled with water and floating ice onto the table. “But I have beer if you’d rather have that.”
“Water’s fine. Thanks.” He grabbed the nearest glass.
“Okay, so…” She returned to the counter to grab the food. “It’s not fancy, but it’s hot and edible. At least, I’m pretty sure it is.” A steaming bowl of soup and a saucer holding two golden-crusted sandwiches—both cut into triangles—appeared on the table in front of him.
“Thanks, Ro. This looks great.” It really did. “Wow. You didn’t have to make me two.”
“From the hangry sound I heard a few minutes ago, I’m pretty sure your stomach would disagree. Besides I figure with all that muscle mass of yours, you probably need the extra protein.”
Her movements stuttered slightly, so slight she probably thought he hadn’t noticed. But he had.
It seemed as if he noticedeverythingabout her, now. Ever since last night. Ever since…
That kiss.
Picking up one of the four triangles on his plate, he took a bite big enough to cut the piece in half. Hot, melted cheese oozed from between the slices of toasted bread and landed on his tongue. Dipping the remnants into his bowl, he finished the first half in the next bite.
With another plate and bowl in her hands, Ro joined him at the table. From the seat across from him, she took a bite of her own sandwich. And then…
She moaned.
An innocent response to the cheesy, buttery goodness, but damn if it didn’t immediately make him think of sex. Brody felt his dick start to swell, and he was suddenly very thankful his crotch was hidden from her view.
“Good?” he choked out, praying she didn’t notice the strain in his voice.
“So good. Or maybe I’m just really hungry.” Another bite.
Another fucking moan.
She’s your friend. She’s your friend. She’s just. A. Friend!
But even as he forced the silent words through his mind, Brody felt as if they were a lie. Which was ridiculous because he and Rowerejust friends. One drug-induced kiss didn’t change that.
No, but a second, sober one might.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
Brody choked on the sip of water he’d just taken, damn near spitting it out all over the table…and Ro. Coughing and sputtering, he covered his mouth with the inside of his elbow as he cleared the inhaled water from his lungs as best he could.
“Are you okay?” Concern filled Ro’s face as she rushed to grab a dishtowel to wipe up the mess.