“Yep. And I didn’t buy it. I made it,” she said, dancing her way back over to the waffle maker. “It’s far cheaper these days with the price of extract going up in the stores.”

He whipped his head in her direction. “I don’t even know what to say. You are truly an amazing woman. I’d love the recipe to the syrup and extract, if you don’t mind sharing.”

“Sure.” Serenity sidled up next to him. “But if you tell my secrets, I’m never feeding you again.”

Gabriel threw his head back and laughed. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed her temple. “Baby, that’s a serious threat, and as much as I love eating your food, I’m taking these recipes to the grave.”

She joined his laughter, and it took them a few minutes to calm down. He’d missed being with her this way. He stroked a finger down her cheek. His gaze drifted to her mouth, and memories of kissing her flooded his mind—the plush softness of her lips, the sweet taste on his tongue. He had to kiss her again. He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. He’d meant it to be only a quick one, but the moment their lips connected, he was lost. Passion erupted, and he gathered her closer. Gabriel left her lips to trail kisses over her jaw, along her throat and the portion of her chest visible above her sleeveless top. Reaching up, he cupped her face and reclaimed her mouth. She gripped his shirt, meeting him stroke for stroke. He groaned. Feeling himself on the brink of losing control, he eased back.

“Um…we’re supposed to be cooking.”

They were cooking in his mind. With her eyes still closed and her lips moist from his kisses, she made an alluring picture, tempting him to have one more taste. His stomach growled again, ending the interlude. “I guess I should start on the bacon.”

“And these waffles and eggs aren’t going to cook themselves.”

She gave him a smile that stirred something deep in his belly. He momentarily froze. What the hell is going on? He had never experienced these kinds of crazy emotions with a woman, particularly one he’d known only a short time. He dropped his hands, and Serenity backed out of his embrace.

Gabriel turned to the counter and busied himself with his tasks. They worked in companionable silence as Jill, along with Anthony Hamilton, sang about being so in love. “I take it you’re a fan of Jill Scott.”

She placed a done waffle onto a cookie sheet and placed it in the warmer drawer on the oven. “I love her music.”

“I was checking out things to do in the Bay Area and saw that she’ll be at Yoshi’s in Oakland next weekend.”

“Are you serious? I’ve been trying to catch her in concert.”