Before You: Standalone Contemporary Romance Read Online Free Page B

would have looked a lot like a cartoon character, floating through the air as an enticing smell beckoned.
    “Please tell me some of that food is for me too. Otherwise, I’m going out right now to eat before my stomach turns itself inside out with hunger.” I leaned across the counter to look inside the wok André was moving about as he splashed some dark sweet smelling sauce inside.
    “Of course it’s for you as well. I’m not about to cook for myself then eat in front of you.” He stopped what he was doing and turned my way, slaying me with those eyes of his.
    I let out a sigh. “I didn’t mean...I wasn’t trying to say that you’re an asshole, André,” I started, and he quirked an eyebrow in this way that told me he knew I was lying. “Well, not entirely anyway. We just...we got off on the wrong foot, and I suppose I can understand why you reacted the way that you did, and if we’re going to be living together for a while, then I’m going to have to get over that and try to see what it is about you that makes Dave swear you’re such a good guy.”
    He flicked his wrist, bouncing the contents of the wok in a colorful display of dark meat and bright vegetables. “Dave said I’m a good guy?” He looked like he didn’t believe me.
    “Well, he gave me his word that you’re a ‘stand-up guy’. And since you know Dave, you’ll know that his word means more than any sort of promise. So, that’s good enough for me. And if you give me your word that you won’t go watching me get dressed again then we can move past all this and try to be friends.”
    He turned off the heat then looked directly at me. “I can give you my word, but I’m afraid my word doesn’t mean as much as your brothers.” His eyes moved over my body again, and suddenly I felt that I could possibly be dinner.
    I sucked in my breath, and turned my head away.
    “Where are the plates?” I asked, quickly changing the mood as I rushed for the cupboard he’d gotten the mug out of earlier. The plates were there too, so I took two out and placed them on the counter before moving out of the way as he transferred the beef stir fry from the wok. I busied myself again by getting forks out of the drawer then met him at table where he’d already place the two dishes and was walking back toward the kitchen where he fetched two beers from the fridge.
    “Is this fine?” he asked, holding the bottles of Hofbrau Original Lager up for me to see. “It’s either this or tap water.”
    “Beer is fine,” I said, suddenly feeling as though this was more than just ‘two people who had been packing all day’ sharing a meal. Although, it was silly of me to think like that. Logically, little sisters didn’t hook up with their brother’s friends. Logically, people didn’t hook up with their roommates to be. Logically, people didn’t fly across states to help some guy they’d never met move, while constantly obsessing over how hot that someone was.
    Hot.
    God, he was hot.
    The color of his eyes was transfixing.
    The way his brown hair had golden tones that shone in the light was fascinating.
    The way he had just the perfect amount of facial hair – captivating.
    His hard broad body.
    That V...
    I cleared my throat and pulled at the neck of my sweater.
    Was it getting hot?
    “Everything OK?” André asked. “You’re not allergic to peanuts are you?” There was concern in his eyes. I liked seeing it there, directed at me.
    I shook my head. “No. I’m fine. I’m just a bit warm in this sweater. I’ll take a shower and change when were done.”
    His eyes darkened the moment I said the word ‘shower’. Then they roamed. Static crackled in the air.
    I had to clear my throat again. “Allergies,” I lied, giving him a quick smile as I speared a piece of carrot with my fork then crunched down, focusing on chewing to keep myself from staring at him.
    “This is really tasty,” I said, after a while, enjoying the sensation of food in my belly,