Page 39 of Power Play
And it wasn’t just because my heater was broken.
CHAPTER16
ZACH
I had textedJessa on Thursday, wishing her good luck in her meeting while also asking what she wanted me to cook for her. She wanted chicken parmesan. So…I made chicken parmesan.
The chicken cutlets were crisped to perfection and in the oven, slathered in tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. All that was left was to cook the pasta.
I stood in the kitchen, shifting back and forth anxiously as I stared at the clock above the table. She didn’t seem like someone who would be late.
A soft knock at the door sounded just past seven, and I crossed the room to tug open the door, forgetting how to breathe entirely at the sight of Jessa.
She wore a light green dress with white flowers on it that barely covered her thighs. Her hair was still a bit damp, her cheeks flushed, and she held onto a baking dish.
“These took longer than I thought they would,” she announced, and thrust the pan forward. “I like the oven here better than the one I have now.”
“It’s a pretty good oven.” I peeked back at the chicken. “What are these? You didn’t have to make anything.”
“Dessert,” she offered with a shrug, and stepped out of her strappy brown sandals. “M&M blondies.”
“They look delicious.” I placed them on the counter and crouched to peer in at the chicken. The mozzarella had just started to melt, spreading across the tomato sauce perfectly.
I could smell her before I heard her approach. A soft vanilla and caramel, decadent and delicious.
“Looks good,” she said, right behind me.
I didn’t think. I just moved. I got to my knees fully and turned around, placing a gentle touch to the back of her calves. Jessa gasped, but I kept going, sliding my grip higher as I shifted back to a crouch.
My fingers glazed across the frilly hem of her dangerously short skirt, across the curve of her ass, and settled at the small of her back when I was fully straightened.
“You look better,” I said lowly. “Far more appetizing, that is.”
Jessa gripped my forearms, and she swallowed before she replied. “Where are your roommates?”
I lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “Out.”
“Oh, dear God,” she mumbled.
I let her go with a laugh and flicked on the burner for the pot of waiting water, ready to toss in the pasta.
“Make yourself comfortable,” I said, turning my head to the side.
Jessa scoffed. “Not possible.”
“Need me to make you comfortable?” I spun back to face her.
She stood stiffly, but close enough that I could have reached out and hooked a finger in the top of her dress at her tits. I didn’t, but I wanted to.
“I’m going to go sit down.” She thumbed in the direction of the living room.
“Sure. You know where everything is.”
“Don’t remind me.”
I breathed a laugh and added the pasta to the boiling water.
I plated our meals, trying to make it look as nice as I possibly could, and carried it out to Jessa. She sat in the middle of the couch, looking absolutely terrified as I neared. I placed her plate down on the coffee table in front of her and laid mine next to it.