Page 58 of More than a Memory
He opened the bottle and poured out two glasses of the pale-yellow liquid, walking hers over to the counter where she was preparing asparagus for the steamer.
“Goody, I love asparagus.” He snuck in a nibble on her ear, which tickled, causing her to giggle.
“Me, too, and it pairs well with the eggplant parmesan. Stop it right now, Sam Parker, or we will never get to eat,” she scolded, since he had now worked his way from her ear to the curve where her neck and shoulder met. He was wreaking havoc on her senses.
“If you insist. I didn’t realize just how hungry I was until now, my stomach is actually growling,” he said.
“Now, all we have to do is wait for the asparagus and the Italian bread and we’re good to go,” she said, putting the vegetables on the flame of her gas stove.
“Now, about that kiss…,” he suggested, raising his eyebrows comedically.
“You are a clown,” she said, raising up on her toes to comply. After several delightful minutes, Darcy reluctantly broke away.
“Can you pull out the casserole for me? The oven mitts are in that second drawer to the right of the sink.”
“Sure, anything for my gourmet cook.”
“Bread should be done as well, so if you want to grab that, too, I’ll butter the asparagus and add a little lemon. Then it’s chow time,” she said.
The light from the flickering candles danced across Darcy’s features, casting shadows and reflecting in her brilliant green eyes like a thousand tiny diamonds. Sam was mesmerized, wanting to look across the table at this view, every night, for the rest of his life. He loved her freckles, the way she wrinkled her nose, the dainty way she ate, in direct contrast with her normal race through life. He was so in love with her that he could hardly fathom that it might not be returned.
Sam took another mouthful, chewing thoughtfully, giving nothing away, as Darcy’s eyes bore holes into him, impatiently waiting for his review. Well aware of her curiosity, he played it up for a moment before finally caving to her pressure and said, “This is the absolute, very best, meal I have ever eaten…from any and every category! I mean it!”
“You really think so?” she asked uncertainly.
“Unequivocally.”
“High praise, much appreciated…I do think it’s pretty good, if I do say so myself.”
“No reason not to say so. False modesty is outdated.” He grinned as he heaped another portion of the casserole onto his fork. “Thank you, Darcy. Real food has been in short supply the last couple of weeks.”
“Same here. You’re welcome. It was my turn anyway, remember?”
“Doesn’t even compare.”
“Don’t say that! I loved the meal you prepared for me.”
“Well, I will definitely have to step up my game,” he said, taking another bite.
“Wait until you taste my dessert”
“Now you’re talking,” Sam said, finally putting his fork down for a breather. “Dare I ask?”
“Salted caramel chocolate tart,” she said, pleased with herself.
“I’ll have to jump up and down to make room,” he said as he groaned, holding his hands over his stomach.
“We’ll take a break,” she promised. “I’ll clear the table and we can move to the living room to digest.”
Much later, after dessert and snuggling on the couch, sharing tales and catching up from their week apart, Sam stretched out, pulling Darcy with him. She lay sprawled on top of him and it felt like their bodies were a perfect fit. Sam rested his cheek against the top of her head and sighed.
“I feel like I’m home when I’m holding you in my arms,” he said.
Darcy wiggled her pelvis against Sam’s and smiled when she felt an immediate response.
“Are you trying to distract me from talking?” Sam teased.
“Talk is cheap,” she replied, as she began to lick and nibble his neck while continuing to rub her pubic bone back and forth, pressing into his hardness.