Fallin' in Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

linked his fingers with hers across the table. "I think this is the best chicken I've eaten in ages."
    "You don't eat your own food at the restaurant?" she teased.
    "There's hardly time most nights. And besides, everyone gets tired of their own cooking. It's nice to have someone else do it once in a while."
    "Well, I did have excellent help. Your recipes, for one thing. And you as my sous chef."
    "See? We're a winning combination."
    "Don't forget Hellboy. He's an essential part of the team."
    He pretended to frown. "I don't think I want to know what he added to the meal."
    "It'll be our secret." She smiled. "Now for dessert."
    "Can't wait."
    Mia got up and headed for the kitchen. Luke couldn't resist pulling her onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling in that sexy way that never failed to excite him. He leaned in for a kiss. She responded as she always did, with delighted surprise, as if she couldn't believe they could kiss each other as much as they wanted.
    He couldn't believe his luck either.
    "I don't see any mistletoe here," she said, her voice breathy with desire.
    "That's because you closed your eyes."
    "Should I keep them closed?"
    "Umm, yes." He kissed her eyelids, and the tip of her nose, and finally her lips. "This is the best dessert I've ever had."
    She giggled. "You haven't tried my creme brulee yet."
    "Creme brulee? And the house didn't burn down? I'm impressed."
    "I thought you might be." She opened her eyes, slowly, and her smile hit him in the gut, as it always did. Her next words completely wound him up. "Let's go have dessert in the bedroom."
    "Okay then. Should I get the—"
    "Not at all. You're the dessert tonight."
    ***
    "H ellboy, you are the worst Santa's elf ever!" Mia grabbed the ball of ribbon before the dog could reach it, but then he raced over to the box of gift wrap and tugged on the end of one of the rolls. "Stop that."
    She glanced around, trying to find something to distract him, but then he yawned so wide it should have unhinged his jaw. He plopped down into the basket that had become his bed whenever he came over for a visit.
    In fact, his visits were more frequent, usually every day. He didn't seem to realize that he actually lived next door. Mia loved him so much, she didn't want to give him the news that he wasn't a full-time resident.
    Even though he was.
    "Okay, you stay there and nap again while I finish wrapping this. I need to get it done before Luke gets home."
    She sat back and admired the proof copy of the cookbook containing his recipes. They'd been working on it together, but he didn't know she had gotten it printed, wanting him to see it completed before they went any further with it. She knew he'd be surprised. She only hoped he liked what she had accomplished.
    She carefully wrapped it in the cook-themed gift wrap she'd found in a specialty store. She even tried to tie a beautiful bow with the red satin ribbon she'd bought, but it wasn't quite as elegant as she'd envisioned.
    "I'll tell him you did this part," she said to Hellboy.
    Mia got a blank stare in return.
    "Okay, okay. I'll tell him I did it."
    She heard the front door click shut, and spun around to see Luke standing there, smiling at her. "Did what?"
    "Nothing." She hid the package behind her back. "I thought you'd be home a little later."
    He closed the gap between them. "I couldn't wait to see you." He kissed her, as if he had been waiting for years. Mia melted into him. . .until she remembered she was still holding the gift.
    She moved away and tucked the present in the pile of gifts surrounding the tree, making sure he couldn't see exactly where she put it.
    "You're lucky you're the boss," she teased. "Otherwise you'd get fired for leaving early all the time."
    "I'm definitely lucky," he agreed, pulling her into his arms. "And how come there are so many presents under the tree?"
    Hellboy lifted his head and gave a little ruff, as if in warning.
    "Just as I thought. They're yours."
    Mia