I ate up the distance between us in four easy strides. My hand circled his neck as I pulled him close. “I thought I made myself clear; I am no longer giving you chances to leave me.”

Tex’s eyebrows dipped. “And when you go to jail?” He cleared his throat and stood up taller. “I’m a cop. You’re the bad guy.”

I stared into his eyes. “You weren’t very good in school.”

He blinked at me. “What, why would you say that?”

I let him go no matter how much I wanted to march him upstairs and ruin him until he couldn’t think of anything but being under me.

“You’re shit at listening.” I grabbed another box and handed it to him. “I’m never letting you go, Tex Caster.”

* * *

“Okay, got the last piece up. What are you making?” Tex asked.

He peeked over my shoulder as I stirred the food.

“Fuck, it smells good.” He groaned in my ear.

My body heated instantly, my cock stiffening. His chest was pressed against my back and I could make out the hard ridges of his body through the thin t-shirt.

“Step back,” I said.

Cool air greeted my back, and I almost asked for him to come back. Black hair flopped over Tex’s eyebrows as he moved to the side. His gaze was heavy on the side of my face, and I fought not to react.

“Why?”

“You distract me, and risotto is a delicate dish.”

“I’m distracting you? How?”

I sighed. “You being so close makes me want to bend you over the counter and fuck you as I hold a knife to your throat.”

Tex sucked in a sharp breath, and I glanced his way momentarily. His pupils were blown, and he looked more than ready for that to happen.

“I’m not against it, but I’m a little shocked you’d use your kitchen knives.”

My mouth turned down in a frown. “I wouldn’t. I have a knife on me at all times.”

“That’s… Fuck, that’s hot.”

“Go check on Penelope,” I ordered.

“Fine, he’s never been a lock-me-away cat. He hates that shit.” Tex headed toward the downstairs bathroom, and I heard the tinkling of a bell shortly after.

“He’s free and zooming around the place,” Tex said.

I made a mental note to order more lint rollers and an air purifier. I kept an ear out, listening to Tex whisper to the cat and cheer him on to try his new scratching posts. It was strange to have someone in my personal space that wasn’t family. Even then, I sometimes waited for them to leave with bated breath.

Tex and Penelope playing relaxed me further, and I found myself engrossed in the dish I was making.