Free Road to Reason by Natalie Ann Page B

indignantly.
    “Sorry.  I just don’t picture you in the kitchen working at the counter. I figured you’re more the guy who steals bits of food while someone else is cooking,” she said with a teasing laugh.
    “Oh, I do that, too, when someone else is cooking,” he teased right back. “But women like a man who can cook.  At least from my experience. So if you’re going to do something, might as well do it right,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.
    He watched the heat creep up her neck, assumed she got his double meaning, and winked.
    “Um, OK. I’ll go change.” She rushed out of the room to the sound of his laughter.
    Teasing her was going to be enjoyable.  Not just verbal teasing either. This whole situation was looking up. 
    Who would have thought two weeks ago when his father sent him to her father’s office with paperwork he would be standing here having this conversation? Or contemplating all the things he was planning on teaching her.   
    She came back into the kitchen a few minutes later to find him looking through her cabinets.  “Sorry, I probably should have asked, but I was just getting an idea of what I need to pick up at the store.”
    “No problem. I’m looking forward to this. I’ve never had a man cook for me before,” she said, a shy smile on her face.
    “Seems to me you haven’t had a lot of things before,” he said, his eyes crinkling up at the corners. Then immediately regretted the words when he saw her smile fade. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out the way I meant. I’m not sure what it is about you that makes me trip up so much. I’m not usually like this with women.”
    “No worries. Same here. I mean, you cause me to trip up, too.  I’ve embarrassed myself more in front of you in the last few weeks than everyone else in my entire life.  I’m still a few ahead of you, but you can catch up if you want.” Back to teasing; things were good.
    “I look forward to it,” he said, then reached out and placed a kiss on her lips.
    She looked startled, her eyes going wide. “What was that for?”
    He sighed.  He reminded himself, she still had so much to learn. “We’re dating, or will be soon.  People who date kiss each other, touch each other, hold hands. You know, those types of things.”
    “Sorry. It just took me by surprise. I’m not usually a touchy feely type of person,” she said, trying to cover up for her awkwardness over his casual display of affection.
    “Well, I am, so you’ll have to get used to it.” He grabbed her hand and gave it a little reassuring squeeze. “Don’t be afraid to tell me if you’re uncomfortable. I don’t want you to feel that way.  But I want you to be yourself, too.”
    “I’ll tell you,” she promised. “I’m just not used to it. I might like it though.” She squeezed his hand right back, then let it drop carelessly to her side.
    “Oh, I know you will.” He winked.
    She blushed. “You’re doing that on purpose, aren’t you?”
    He continued to smile, but didn’t respond.
    “I may be slow, but I’m not stupid,” she called over her shoulder, his eyes going to the sway of her hips as she walked away.
     
    ***
     
    They managed to work well together in the kitchen several hours later. 
    First they went to the store and picked up all the makings for a simple quick dish of spaghetti carbonara. Nothing fancy, but tasty just the same. 
    It turned out to be a good thing they worked well together, because when it was time to mix the ingredients, more than two hands had been helpful.
    He stirred the cooked pancetta, hot spaghetti, eggs and seasonings in the large bowl expertly, while she grated the cheese over the top.  She had prepared a salad, while he spread butter with a mixture of herbs on a large loaf of bread that had been baking in the oven. 
    In the end it was a great dinner they managed to prepare without getting in each other’s way.  They worked as a unit, seemingly knowing the other’s moves