“I just finished work. You didn’t say I had to be fancy or anything.” Tightening her hands into fists, Rachel waited for him to speak.
“You look perfect.” He reached out, banded an arm around her waist, and pulled her close. “Are you ashamed to be seen on my front door, you hussy?” Rachel tapped him on the arm. She didn’t get chance to refute him as his lips claimed hers, and then she didn’t care what he’d said. Dropping her overnight bag to the floor, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave herself over to the pleasure of his mouth.
“Now that’s what I call a kiss,” Paul said, breaking away. She allowed him to lead her into his home. The scent of his famous meatballs permeated the air making her stomach rumble. She’d not had any food at lunch, and she was starving.
“Wow, I do feel special. Your secret meatball recipe for me?” she asked.
“Of course. Only the best for you.” He kept hold of her hand, leading her down to his kitchen. Paul had a nicely fitted kitchen. Rachel recalled helping him redecorate the place with all up to date furniture and appliances.
“It smells delicious. It has been years since I’ve had some.” She walked over to the stove, took the lid off the simmering pot and inhaled. The sweet onion and garlic scents met her, making her moan.
She smiled remembering the first time he’d made the recipe. Paul was a huge fan of meatballs, but he hated always having to order them in. For literally months he tested so many recipes until he found the right one. The memories of eating some of his disasters were fond memories.
Paul took her hand and led her to a candlelit table for two.
“Okay, now I feel underdressed,” she said. The old nerves started to return.
“You’re not. This isn’t some fancy restaurant food, baby. This is just you and me, and I want us both to be comfortable.”
He poured her a glass of wine. She accepted without any argument. Paul helped her into her seat and then made his way over to the stove.
“So, any home-made pasta to go with it?” she asked.
“Not today. I’m afraid it’s out of a packet. Everything else is my own.”
She sipped some of her red wine and winced. Over the years she’d never developed a taste for wine.
“This is strange,” she said, watching his nice ass as he moved around the kitchen. His muscles rippled with each movement.
“Why?”
“I’ve never had a man cook for me before. Even Mitch doesn’t like making his way around the kitchen. Everything is a sandwich or ordering a pizza. Let me tell you, ham and pineapple pizza can get old fast.”
He chuckled. “Mitch is mean with a phone. He can order pizza faster than I can.”
She watched him grab the saucepan and drain the pasta. Rachel liked being waited on, and she found it fascinating to watch.
A few minutes later he walked to the table with two plates loaded with spaghetti and meatballs. Rachel laughed at the size of the meal. “You haven’t eaten either?”
“No, it’s been a long day.” He handed her a fork and then took the seat next to her. She was shocked when he reached for her hand.
They sat together, eating and holding hands. Her heart raced from the small intimate touch.
“Well, how does it taste?” he asked.
Scooping up a meatball and twirling her fork in some spaghetti, Rachel took a huge bite. Flavours exploded on her tongue.
“This is pure heaven,” she said, scooping more food onto her fork. He laughed.
“I certainly love a woman with a healthy appetite.”
“Well, you better get used to it. I love my food, and I’m more than happy to be waited on.”
She burst out laughing as he held his hands up.
“Baby, I can do meatballs and pasta, but anything else and you’re on your own.”
He took her hand once again, and she dug in with relish.
“It’s the only thing I can cook,” he said, breaking into the silence.
“No, it’s the only thing you’ve ever tried to cook. I bet you’d be one hell of a cook if you put your mind to it,” she said.
“What’s wrong with living on a diet of meatballs and pasta?”
Shaking her head, Rachel finished her food. She was so hungry, and he really did know how to make this dish.
“Darren knows about us,” Paul said.
Pausing in her eating Rachel glanced over to him. “I thought you didn’t want to say anything?”
“Erm, I didn’t exactly tell him.”
She frowned. “You better tell me what’s going on.”
“Tracy came to the garage today and was pretty much inviting me over for a booty call.”
Rachel listened to him talking while trying to keep her anger in check. Tracy was a bitch and slept with anything that walked. Also, Tracy liked to gossip. Rachel listened to what the other woman had to say, but she hated listening.
“One thing led to another, and Darren figured out who you were.”
“He knows before Mitch does.”
“Speaking of Mitch, I was thinking I should be the one to tell him. I don’t want him getting the wrong idea, and his anger can be a little harsh at times,” he said.
She knew all about Mitch’s temper. Her brother would never hurt her, but he wasn’t known for being a smooth talker. Mitch would no doubt say stuff he would regret.
“You can tell him whatever you want, Paul. I love my brother, and I won’t lie to him.”
Paul tightened his hold on her hand.
They talked as they finished their meal. Rachel had never been so relaxed before. She sensed Paul was doing everything he could to make her feel at ease.
“So, erm, did you have any feelings for Tracy when you saw her?” Rachel asked.
****
Paul sensed the uncertainty inside her. He wasn’t surprised. Up until a few days ago he’d kept Tracy on the short list to fuck.
Cursing inside his head, Paul finished the last of his food and pushed his plate away.
“I didn’t feel anything for Tracy. I never have.”
“But you slept with her. You must have felt something,” she said.
He was quickly reminded of her innocent self. “Rachel, babe, you don’t need to feel anything for someone for sex. I’m not going to lie to you. I got hard for Tracy. She was easy, and I was horny. That is the extent of it.”
“What about us? What happens if you get horny again? Will I be pushed aside?” she asked.
“No, that would never happen, I promise you. What I have with you is something new and loving. I’ve never been in love with anyone else.” He took her hand kissing it.
“You’re in love with me?” Rachel asked. Tears shone in her eyes.
“How could you ever doubt it?”
“You’ve never said so before.”
He took her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. Plundering his tongue into her mouth, Paul moaned from the touch. “For all my life you’ve been in here.” He pressed her palm to his chest. “I’ve never wanted anything else in my life than you.”
Tears fell onto her cheeks. He wiped them away with his thumbs. “I swear to you, Rachel, I mean what I say. I love you with my whole heart. This has nothing to do with teaching you sex or taking your virginity, both of which I haven’t done. I’ve always felt this way. I’m in love with you.”
“Oh, Paul.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on tight.
“I love you so much. You’ve made me the happiest woman tonight. I don’t care about anything else. The food and your honesty is more than enough for me.”