“Perfect. I’ll have it ready for you.”
Time flew by and the constant activity kept troubling thoughts at bay. She pulled the last pan of muffins from the oven when Coop walked in.
“I don’t know what you’re cooking, but it smells wonderful in here.”
“The cake is for Eva’s social tonight. But we have pecan pie muffins.”
He stopped at the stove and eyed the small morsels on the plate. “Can I have ten now? I’m starved.” Even as he asked, he plucked two and popped one in his mouth, quickly followed by the second. “You made these?”
“I did.”
“They’re really good.” He grabbed another. “You can’t eat just one.”
She handed him a mug of coffee. “Sit. You need real food, not muffins.”
“Yes ma’am.” He sat down and cradled the cup in his hands. “What brought this on?”
“Needed something to do. I’m not very good at sitting around twiddling my thumbs.”
He eyed the plastic-wrapped sheet cake on the counter. “I love chocolate cake.”
She set a plate of meat loaf, glazed carrots and green beans in front of him. “I’ll make another tomorrow.”
He forked a hunk of meat. “Promise?”
“Promise.” She paused, then sat down across from him, placing the plate of muffins in the middle. “You need some rest.”
“Yeah. I’m beat.” He continued eating with fervor.
“Maybe you can get to bed early tonight.”
As soon as the comment left her mouth, heat crept up her neck as visions of him in bed—with her - danced around the edges of her mind.
His smirk said he knew where her mind drifted, but he kept his thoughts to himself.
In no time at all, his plate was empty. He pushed it aside and reached for the muffins. “These are really, really good.” He stuck one in his mouth and grinned. “I bet it’s not as good as that cake, though.”
His obvious enjoyment gave her self-esteem a much-needed boost. “Thanks.”
“Mavis is here, dear, and—oh, Coop,” said Miss Eva as she rushed into the kitchen like a white-haired tornado. “I’m glad you finally made it home.” She turned to Sam. “I doubt I’ll be home till at least ten, so unless you two go on your date, you should have the house to yourself.”
The woman was subtle as thunder.
“Um, okay.”
“This cake looks delicious. I might have to bid on it myself.” She rushed around, grabbing up things she needed and disappeared out the back door.
Alone with Coop, conversation came to a halt.
Sam finally broke the prolonged silence. “How about I take a raincheck on our friend-date? You need rest.”
“Rest is overrated.”
“No. It isn’t. You can’t perform at your best when you’re exhausted.”
His sexy smile made her belly tighten.
“I can perform just fine. Care to test me?”
Cheeks so hot she expected them to combust at any time, she glared. “You’re hopeless.”
He winked.
The man was incorrigible. And adorable. “How about we compromise?”
“I’m all ears. Well, not all of me.”
Her shoulders slumped a little. He had a one-track mind. “Why don’t you shower and lie down for a couple of hours? We can vegetate tonight; maybe catch a movie on television. We’ll call it a practice date.”
His yawn said it all. “Okay. Wake me up at seven.”
“Eight.”
“Fine. Eight.”
He walked to where she sat, bent down and kissed her upturned forehead. “I’ll be waiting for you to wake me.”
Wait…Why should I wake him? Doesn’t he have an alarm?