Searching for Perfect (Searching For #2)(57)
Author: Jennifer Probst

“Well, thanks for a great day. I’m really tired, so I better get in.” She smiled brightly, a connoisseur at the professional brush-off with men, but he ignored her and strolled right through the door.

“I like your place,” he stated. His gaze took in the sparse, modern decor, clean lines, and overall expensive design.

“Thanks. Umm, Nate—”

“I know you’re tired, but I need a favor. Remember how I said I don’t cook much? I want to try. Building up a palate is the mainstay of a good culinary education.” He set the bags on her countertop. “I need a taste-test dummy.”

She closed the door behind her and faced him. “What?”

He waved a hand in the air. “Bad term. Not a literal dummy, of course. It’s very simple. I blindfold you, and you let me know how each of the things I bought taste. I’d like to make a full-course dinner. Stretch my boundaries. What do you think?”

Her head was already spinning. “Umm, I think learning to cook is a wonderful idea. But it’s late. And I don’t know how me taste testing is going to help you.”

“I’ll get a woman’s perspective on the menu I’d like to try. Won’t take long. Please?”

She eyed the bags with suspicion. “Why do I have to be blindfolded?”

“I saw it on Hell’s Kitchen. You have an open mind when you don’t visually peg the ingredients. Allows your taste buds to take over as the primary sensory perception.”

Her skin tingled with anticipation. This was a definite no brainer. Reject the plan, get him out of her apartment, and get to bed early. Alone.

“Fine. I’ll do it.”

He lit up. Removed his jacket and hung it neatly in the closet. Dressed in dark jeans that cupped his spectacular ass, he pushed up the sleeves on his casual aqua shirt as if prepping for something big. He washed his hands and dragged a chair over to the table.

“I can sit on the stool,” she pointed out.

“No. A chair is sturdier. Trust me.”

Sturdier for what? She shrugged. “What do I have to do?”

“Can you get me a scarf, please?”

“Kinky.”

“I can be.” She laughed, got him a colorful purple scarf, and sat down. “Now, I’m going to blindfold you and then I prep some of the food.” He gently placed the scarf over her eyes and tied a loose knot. “Can you see anything?”

“Nope.”

“Okay, just give me a minute.” She heard cabinet doors open and close. The rustle of bags. The scent of freshness and a variety of herbs, all mixed up. The refrigerator door squeaked, then went silent. The shuffling around the kitchen slowly relaxed her, and she let her mind drift while she waited for the first taste.

She sensed him kneeling in front of her. The powerful aura of his male energy wrapped around her like an invisible vise. A rush of warm breath hit her lips. Her heart pounded in an uneven rhythm. “Are you ready for your first taste?”

The rich, sensual words rumbled over her ears. Her tummy dipped. “Yes.”

“Open up.”

Her lips parted. She expected the cool, smooth touch of a spoon, but he used his fingers. He placed something small and slippery on her tongue. The flavor of ocean, salt, and smoke tickled. The firm bite against her teeth exploded juice in her mouth. The raw earthiness swamped her in pleasure, and her body responded as if an electrical cord got plugged in and fried.

“Oyster.” A smile touched her lips as she caught the last bite of citrus. “The balance is amazing.”

He wiped a trickle of moisture from her bottom lip. “Good girl. It was an oyster. You like?”

She remembered the way he had plucked at her nipples, biting, licking, and then asked her the same question. Kennedy rallied for sanity. “Yes.”

“Next one.” She waited, her senses on high alert. “Open for me.” Her thighs relaxed as if trying to respond to the command, and the morsel was pushed into her mouth. Creamy, thick cheese combined with a hint of garlic, olive oil, sweet basil, and crisp tomato. As if picked right off the vine, her taste buds wept with delight. “Cheese,” she moaned. “Mozzarella cheese. Tomato. Oh, God, so good.”

His hands began stroking her face, her shoulders, lulling her into a more relaxed trance. Her legs fell open and her pussy throbbed. The simplicity of the flavors flowed over her, in her, and she let her head fall back. He murmured something against her ear. “You’re very good at this game, sweetheart.” His hands cupped her breasts, massaging her through the cotton. “Do you want more?”

“Yes.”

“I want to take off your shirt.”

His outrageous demand was over the top. It deserved a slap, an electronic buzz, and a kick out the door. Instead, she was so turned on she couldn’t speak for a minute. “Do it for me.”

He growled. Worked her shirt over her head. Cool air rushed over her breasts and tightened her nipples. She wanted to cry, it felt so outrageously decadent. Sitting in her kitchen, blindfolded, topless, and having Nate feed her. His thumbs ran over the hard nubs, flicked them through the lace, and then his mouth was suddenly on her, hot and wet, sucking her nipple through the fabric and flicking his tongue back and forth. She cried out, and arched into him, her hands holding him tight to her. He pleasured the other breast, and then he was gone. A clatter of a utensil hitting the granite. The rustle of paper. Each second twisted the tension in her stomach another knot.

Breathing was a luxury now. She panted for air and scissored her legs, but he spoke quite calmly. “Ready for your next bite?”

She nodded.

“Open.”

Ah.

Sushi. The texture was cool, and smooth, but the fish had a thickness to it that puzzled her. She bit down. The tanginess of teriyaki sauce dripped over it but didn’t overwhelm the natural flavor of the fish, which broke open and became flaky.

“Salmon! It’s salmon, I know it.”

“Very nice.” As she chewed and swallowed, he unhooked her bra. Her breasts spilled free into his waiting hands, and the combination of his touch with the delight of the food splintered her. “I think you deserve a bit of a reward before our next one.” The button on her jeans snapped. His fingers coasted over her stomach and traced the line of denim around and around. “Lift your hips up sweetheart. You’re losing the jeans.”

She waited for her inner rational voice to scream like a banshee and tell him absolutely not. No way. No how. No.