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"Yes," I said gruffly, trying not to vibrate with excite, she was happy

Then I tried not to groan out loud because she turned to me, stood on her toes, put her ared ainstto buy her clothes every single day for the rest of her life I wound ainstin the sweet scent of her skin, I whispered, "You’re welcoh her chest I resisted the violent urge to runhandfuls of her glorious ass, and stood there breathing raggedly, knowing nothing else except I wasn’t going to be the first one to let go

After a while, she said, "You’re very tall"

I blurted, "I’ll buy you platforh was muffled in my neck Her perfuht at the corner of my mouth, and I was in heaven

She lifted her head and looked into my eyes Could she see the stars there?

She teased, "I see soood possibility she was referring to the ten-inch steel pipe init Instead I said, "Lucky h it sounded like I’d spent the last few days screa

She sed Her lashes lowered, and then she was looking at ht aroundin the hollow of her throat, inviting ue

"What are you thinking right now?" she asked softly

I closed my eyes "You don’t want to know"

"It’s that dirty, huh?"

Fuck Was she flirting with ? I really needed to adjusted I turnedher neck My lips were so close to her skin, so fucking close

In a voice so faint it was almost inaudible, she said, "Two years"

I was too far under her spell to speak, so I just gave a little shake of my head to indicate I didn’t knohat she meant

She tucked her head down closer toit had been since the last timeI had sex The answer is two years"

My exhalation shuddered out of ht with every ounce of self-control I had not to crush ainst hers, to stand motionless while the heat and tension built between us, while her heart pounded so jaggedly against ain I wasn’t going to push myself on her If--if--she wanted h I ached to throw her on the bed and bury myself in her, I had to let her be in control

I couldn’t live with ," I said, ot you beat by a mile"

When her arms loosened, I almost broke and kissed her, but I forced myself to stand still and allow her to pull away She looked up at ht eyes and clasped her hands behind her back

"Why don’t you pick out what you’d like ot, Boudreaux I’ently closed the door behind her, leavingI could do to savein love with another wo it was already too late

CREOLE OKRA GUMBO

Makes 6 servings

4 tablespoons butter

kosher salt

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1½ pounds boneless chicken thighs, skin removed, cut into pieces

4 ounces tasso haarlic, minced

2 teaspoons thyme, minced

1 bay leaf