Free The Stillburrow Crush by Linda Kage Page A

"Where's your silverware drawer?"
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    The Stillburrow Crush
    by Linda Kage
    He pulled open one drawer and found it full of wine bottles.
    He slipped one out and cradled it in his hands while he read the label. Then he glanced over toward me and wiggled his eyebrows. When I shook my head, he called me a party pooper and put it back, only to pull open the next drawer.
    "Don't you people use silverware around here?"
    "Not at all," I answered, rolling my eyes and sweeping open a drawer near me. "We eat with our bare hands like the uncouth savages we Paxtons are."
    Luke spun around to glare at me but when he saw I'd opened the drawer he was looking for, he marched over and yanked out a spoon. He held it two inches in front of my face and nodded toward the bowl. "Eat."
    I stuck my tongue out at him. It was immature but it had his face going purple and his jaw clenching.
    Then his shoulders dropped. He sighed. "Come on, Carrie.
    I made it just for you. You could at least try it."
    I glanced at the melting mass of ice cream and other assorted goods. Food heaped in a mound three inches higher than the rim. I winced. "Make me a smaller version and I might."
    His face instantly brightened. "One smaller version coming up."
    He hummed while he whipped up another bowl, one that was significantly smaller but still looked like too much. When he set it in front of me, I made a face.
    He growled. "You said you'd try it."
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    The Stillburrow Crush
    by Linda Kage
    I glared up at him. "I said I might," I reminded him. But then I saw the hint of a wounded expression and melted. "I want to see you take a bite of yours first."
    His injured look flashed back into a smile. "Oh ye of little faith," he said, and to prove his snack worthy, he picked up his bowl. I watched him shovel in a large bite and almost gagged. But the abundant volume he consumed didn't seem to bother Luke. He moaned and made sounds of pleasure.
    "Told you it was good."
    I snickered. "You know you look totally stupid doing that, don't you?" I lied. He really looked adorable, but I wasn't about to let him know that.
    He stopped with the sounds and gave me a dirty look.
    When I didn't even attempt to try my share, he dished out a spoonful for me. My stomach did a little flip-flop when he held it up to my mouth, but there was no way I could refuse that bite. I opened up and squeezed my eyes shut. He muttered the word coward as he gave me a taste. I took my first mouthful. Cold ice cream and warm peanut butter mixed with the crunchy wafers. It was a different sensation than I expected but it grew on me. My teeth clinked on stainless steel as Luke pulled the spoon free. I heard him scoop up a second bite. OK, so it wasn't bad.
    I opened my eyes and caught Luke watching me intently.
    When I shrugged, he chuckled. "I bet you wouldn't admit it if this was the best thing you ever tasted."
    I swallowed and dabbed at the corner of my mouth for crumbs. "It was fine," I said in my prim-and-proper voice.
    "You loved it," he retorted.
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    The Stillburrow Crush
    by Linda Kage
    "I said it was good. What more do you want?"
    Luke continued to stare at me as if he expected an attack.
    I lifted my chin, meeting his challenging gaze. He really did have pretty eyes. The blue in them was so pure. But as I stared at them longer, I began to find little golden specks in the blue. And the black iris part had these lighter lines that angled in toward the center. I'd never examined someone's eyes so closely. Then I noticed he was staring at me just as intently.
    I turned away slightly, dropping my gaze, and heard Luke clear his throat.
    From the corner of my eyes, I saw him rub the back of his neck. "I thought we were supposed to be studying trigonometry," he said.
    I nodded, still unable to meet his gaze. "I'll go get our bags."
    I pressed my hand over my heart as I raced back into the living room. "Calm down, Carrie. Just...breathe." But I felt exhilarated. I wanted to dance. Luke Carter was in my