Read Online Seducing Phoebe (Crimson Romance) by Nicole Flockton - Free Book Online Page B

her from her internal thoughts.
    “What?”
    “I said I will cook.”
    “What, bacon and eggs?”
    In all the time they’d been together he’d only ever cooked breakfast or a snack, like he did today when he’d arrived. A vision of Marco in nothing but a white towel flipping pancakes entered her mind. Her mouth watered and she didn’t know if it was from the thought of food or the thought of Marco bare-chested. She needed to get him to leave if she was going to try and keep her sanity.
    “Yes, I can cook something more than bacon and eggs and BLTs.”
    Phoebe scrambled to come up with a reason to have him not cook for her. Cooking had always suggested intimacy to her. Two people chatting casually, sharing a glass of wine, stealing kisses in between tending to various pots bubbling away on the stove.
    “So what do you say, shall I cook us dinner?”
    “I’ve got no food,” she blurted out, grasping on an excuse that wasn’t quite untrue. She did need to go to the shops. That had been her plan today after her swim, only her plans had been totally derailed by the man standing in front of her, looking so sexy and at home in this house, smiling the smile of a Cheshire cat.
    “There’s food. I went shopping before I came here.”
    She sighed, knowing there was no way she was going to get out of it. Marco had planned everything. She should’ve known he would have a plan; he was a highly sought after architect. He designed multi-story buildings and shopping malls — he made sure everything was thought of in his designs, so there was no way he wouldn’t have thought of everything tonight.
    “Fine, you win. We’ll eat here.” She paused and gave him a direct stare, hoping that he couldn’t see the attraction she still felt for him burning in her eyes. “But the moment the meal is finished you’re leaving. Deal?”
    He wandered back towards her and touched a hand to her cheek. The touch was so gentle and caring it took all her strength not to turn her face and kiss his warm palm. His small touches were intoxicating. “I’ll agree to part of the deal. I’ll cook, but I decide when I leave.”
    Phoebe could’ve argued more, but she knew it would be a hopeless cause. Beneath the sexy glint in his eyes, resolve shone.
    “Fine,” she agreed. “Now pour me a wine. I’m thirsty.” She knew she sounded bitchy, but his nearness to her and this new determination he was showing her had her slightly rattled.
    “Pardon?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
    “Please can you pour me a glass of wine?” she said with a sweet smile.
    He nodded. “Go out onto the deck, I’ll bring it out to you.”
    Phoebe made her escape to the patio. The sun had well and truly set and darkness enveloped her in its embrace. It was a beautiful night; a soft breeze brushed across her bare arms, and the shushing of the waves, as they rolled onto the shore before sweeping back out to be engulfed once again, gave the illusion that all was right in the world. She would’ve preferred to see five-foot waves and a swirling wind. It would’ve matched the emotions going through her.
    “Here’s your wine, and … ” He placed a platter of cheese and crackers on the table. “Also a little something for you to eat while I fire up the grill. Steak and salad sound good?”
    Phoebe turned and took the wine from Marco, careful not to touch his fingers; the last thing she wanted was to drop the glass at his feet. “Thank you, and way to impress a woman — steak and salad. Here I was thinking that you were going to whip me up something more gourmet.”
    He threw back his head and laughed before leaning in and dropping a quick kiss on her lips. She almost leaned forward to make the contact last longer but pulled back. “I like it when you joke, you should do it more often.”
    He didn’t wait for a comment, but turned and walked back into the house, whistling softly under his breath. She thought about what he’d said. She hadn’t joked around