“This is the best meal I’ve ever had in my entire life.” He deserved the compliment, and I had no trouble paying it. “Have you considered giving up pack life and opening a restaurant?”

His rich chuckle warmed me as much as the heated fudge drizzle. “No, but I’m flattered you have that kind of faith in my cooking skills.”

We finished the meal in silence, and when he offered me a hand, I took it and let him haul me to my feet. My palm came to rest over my stomach, which threatened to burst at the seams, and I winced inwardly at the thought of the long walk home.

Dropping to his knees, Graeson slid my boots onto my feet. I had discarded them at some point while trying to make room for more food. I couldn’t very well unsnap my jeans, so I kicked off what was most convenient. Not that it had helped me down that last rich, chocolaty bite. Sadly, I had no choice but to leave it on my plate.

I groaned when he jostled me while strapping me in, and he patted my thigh. “Regretting that second potato?”

I braced my hands on his shoulders. “I have no regrets.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He pushed to his feet and scooped a plastic container off the counter. “Then you won’t mind if I purge my kitchen of temptation.”

“Are those the rest of the brownies?” My fingers curled with the urge to either grab them or swat them away, I wasn’t sure which.

“I would send the ice cream, but there’s not much left.” He pushed the brownies into my hands. “It would be mush by the time you got home with it anyway.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to keep some?” I shoved them back.

He dropped his arms, forcing me to hold the container, and patted his firm stomach. “I don’t want to risk losing my girlish figure.”

My eyes rolled, giving me a visual tour of the thick beams crisscrossing his ceiling. “I should get home.”

I had stayed later than I meant to, and Aunt Dot would wait up until I called. She might fake a yawn or muffle her voice, but I knew better. The odds were good she would have her nose pressed to the glass and the phone at her ear to make sure she didn’t miss any juicy goodbye-ing on our part.

“Do I get to know the reason behind all this?” We hadn’t accomplished much except enjoying each other’s company.

“I wanted to know how it would feel to pick you up and take you somewhere nice, just the two of us.” A rueful smile bent his lips. “This was as nice as I could manage under the circumstances.”

“And?” I gripped the plastic container until it crinkled. “How was it?”