Army’s voice drew her away from her musings. “I was just thinking that you always take me out, and I’d love to cook for you.”
A slight smile played over his lips. “Aren’t you tired from working all day?”
“Not really. I have some steaks in the fridge.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. We can go for Chinese another time.” She snuggled next to him.
He kissed the top of her head and ran his fingers over her forearm. “I want you to meet my dad and brother Asher.”
“Meeting your friends last Saturday, now the rest of your family … it sounds serious,” she said with an impish grin on her face.
He lifted her chin on his index finger and held her gaze. “I’m fuckin’ crazy about you, babe.” Mia smiled and he caressed her jaw with his thumb. “That’s what gets to me—your smile, your eyes … every fucking thing. Mia, you light up the dark places inside me and make them all right. No one else has ever done that.”
Mia was overcome with emotion at his words. She blinked rapidly then hooked her arm around his neck and brought his face down to hers. “I’ve never cared about anyone as much as I do about you.” Then, their mouths fused in a long, lingering kiss.
When their lips broke apart, Mia ran her hand through his hair then stood up. “I’m going to start dinner.” She handed him the remote then practically skipped into the kitchen.
In the middle of the black glass-topped table, two rust-colored candles in bronze candleholders flickered as Mia breezed by carrying a small platter of asparagus and cherry tomatoes in one hand and a cucumber and avocado salad in the other. After placing the last dish—black bean and corn quinoa—on the glass top, she slid into the chair across from Army.
“This is the first time I’ve used the dining set,” she said, scooping a generous portion of salad on his plate. “I bought these autumn-colored placemats, and they’ve just been sitting in the drawer. It’s nice to be able to use them.”
The dining room only fit a small table for four and a tall, skinny curio cabinet in the corner. An abstract oil painting of the sun setting over the city hung on a wall painted in a ginger shade.
Army popped a piece of steak in his mouth then took a sip of red wine. “The food’s awesome. I’m impressed that you whipped all this up in under an hour.”
“Thanks. It’s fun being able to make a big dinner. I rarely do it for myself.”
As they ate, Army stared intensely into her eyes like a hungry wolf surveying his prey. She found it incredibly sexy and it made her body heat up, her nipples erect, and her skin tingle. Squirming in the chair, she smiled weakly at him then took a long drink of wine in an effort to calm down.
“Do you want some more quinoa?” Mia pushed the bowl toward him.
Shaking his head, he put down his fork and knife. “I’m good.” His gaze still bored into her.
“I’m full myself,” she replied, putting her cinnamon-colored napkin on the table.
Army leaned forward to pour more wine into her glass, but she covered it with her hand, shaking her head slightly. He proceeded to fill his up then reclined against the black leather chair.
“Do you trust me?” Army asked before taking a sip of merlot.
“I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking me. Are you talking about you not sleeping around?”
He chuckled. “Not exactly, but now that you brought it up—I’m not. I haven’t been with anyone since I met you.”
“Me neither, but I have to admit I’m surprised you haven’t. I mean, you have easy sex available to you twenty-four seven.”
“That’s not what I want. You are a challenge, baby.” He reached for her hand, tucking it into his. “I meant sexually. Do you trust that I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you during sex? That all I want is for you to have pleasure?”
Mia licked her lips and nodded.
“Are you open to me grasping your throat while I fuck you?”
“You mean choking?” she asked softly.
“Not exactly. For me, placing my hand on your throat isn’t about choking or breath play, it’s about deep intimacy and a lot of trust. I’ve never done it with anyone in the past, but I’d like to with you, but if you don’t then it’s okay too.” His gaze still held hers.
“No one’s ever done that to me before, and I know I wouldn’t have done it because I’ve never trusted anyone before when it came to sex, or just … in general.” Shivers lightly skated up her back. “But I do trust you. I know you would never hurt me or do anything to me I don’t want.”