You should at least stick to fish. And chicken, maybe.
He flipped the omelet he was cooking, then cut it in half and slid the pieces onto two plates. Veggies and cheese inside.
When did you learn to cook? she asked as she grabbed a fork.
Ive always known how to cook. My mom worked full-time after my dad died. Me and my sister and brother were left to take care of ourselves. Lena did the cleaning, Ben took care of the yard and I cooked. He handed her a pepper grinder. As I recall, the last time we were together, we didnt think a whole lot about food.
Were more mature now, she teased. We have our priorities in order. She took a bite of her omelet. You never told me much about your family. In fact, shed never asked. Their first relationship had been all about sex. Shed always thought theyd have time to get to know each other. How old were you when your dad died?
Ten, he said. He was a good man. He worked really hard and we didnt see much of him. He traveled a lot on business.
Is that why youre always chasing bigger and better adventures?
What do you mean?
Were you running from your own mortality?
I dont know, he said, as if taken aback by the notion. Maybe. Someone else told me the same thing.
Men do that, she said. Thats why they cheat on their wives. To make themselves feel young and virile. Climbing a mountain will do the same thing. You get addicted to the thrill. She sighed softly, then turned her attention back to her omelet.
I gotta tell you, last night was pretty thrilling.
I gotta tell you, last night was pretty thrilling.
Eve looked up to see him staring at her. A shiver skittered through her as she remembered all that had passed between them. For me, too. ItsIts been a while. Really, a long while. Too long.
For me, too.
Two years? she asked.
He drew in a deep breath, then shook his head. Not quite that long.
So you thought Id be a sure thing? she asked.
No, he said, his tone adamant.
What did you have planned when you stopped by the restaurant?
A drink and some conversation. But it seems like we always get distracted when were together.
Im not surprised we ended up in bed, she said.
We never really had an end to things five years ago.
We didnt? I thought you marrying Dave put a nice tidy period at the end of it.
I married Dave because-
Matt, he corrected.
I know! Eve cried. I just thought it was easier to go along. Which is exactly what I did with Matt. He seemed like the easy choice, she said. The path of least resistance. You would have been the difficult choice. Besides, you just disappeared in the middle of the night. I didnt have to choose. You did that for me.
Well, I wont be doing that again, Charlie said. He stepped around the counter and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her into a long, deep kiss. Im sticking around for a while. He tugged her toward the hall. Come on, I want you back in my bed. We need to work up an appetite for lunch.
I have to be at the restaurant in an hour, she protested. But her resistance was weak at best. She had a staff of kitchen help who knew exactly what to do to prepare for the lunch crowd. And Lily would be there to supervise. She deserved a day off every now and then.
He wrapped his arms around her thighs and picked her up. Ill have you there in forty-five minutes, he teased. Or six hours. Depending upon how good I am.
There was no doubt about his skills in the bedroom, she mused. And six hours sounded like just about the right amount of time to satisfy all her cravings. Theyd enjoy a sexual feast now and shed deal with the famine later.
3
HE HEARD THE KEY IN THE LOCK and Charlie smiled. He and Evie had spent the last three nights together and this would make a fourth. Though their nights began late, usually around midnight, they could afford to sleep in. Eve usually left for the restaurant at eleven.
Im in here, he called when he heard her footsteps heading toward the kitchen. A few moments later, she appeared at the end of the sofa, a bag slung over her shoulder. Whats that? he asked, pointing to the bag.
Im tired of rushing home to shower and grab fresh clothes in the morning. So I brought a few things along. If you have a problem with that, then tough.
Charlie grinned. No problem. But we should probably set some ground rules if youre planning to move in.
Im not moving in. Im just visiting. Both you and I know that this is a short-term thing.
You could move in, he said. It would make things more convenient. There was a time in his life when he never would have made a suggestion like that, but now, the prospect of having Evie with him full-time had distinct advantages.
No. I think were fine the way things are. She dropped her bag on the floor, then sat down next to him on the sofa. What are you doing?
Putting together a slide presentation on the seven summits. Im doing a couple of lectures at the university next week.
So thats why you came back, she said. It wasnt for me.
No. Not technically. But when I accepted the job, I knew I might see you again.
Show me, Evie said, pointing to the computer. Id like to see what took you away from me the first time.
Over the next two hours, Charlie went through the photos hed compiled, explaining the challenges of each climb and the significance in his quest. They opened a bottle of wine and curled up together, the computer resting on his lap and Evie tucked beneath his arm.
When it was over, she took a deep breath and sighed. I dont understand it, she said. You risk your life. People die. They freeze to death or fall. For what?
I dont know, he said.
What do you mean, you dont know?
I used to believe that it was about the challenge, facing nature head-on and coming out the winner. Conquering my environment. You do it, too. Ive seen you in the kitchen. When things seem to be the most chaotic, you get this look on your face. This determination to overcome anything that fate throws in your way.
No, she said. Theres no comparison. My life doesnt hang in the balance because of a cheese soufflé. Werent you scared you might die out there?
No, he said. I never thought about it.
Maybe thats because you didnt have something to live for, she said.
Maybe, he murmured.
She was right. If hed had a wife and kids, he wouldnt have had the nerve to risk his life. Even now, after just a few days with Evie, the stakes were suddenly so much higher. Though he didnt have her-not yet-there was the possibility he might have her sometime. And that was enough to keep him on level ground.
And its not all that dangerous, he said. It is if you make stupid decisions. But if youre smart, the odds are pretty good youll get up and down safely.
So, whats next? she asked.
I thought maybe youd like a bath, Charlie re plied. You always take a shower before bed. I thought a bath might be nice.
I meant, where are you going next?
I know what you meant. I dont know. Im just thinking about a bath right now.
You just want me to take my clothes off, she said.
I could take them off for you if you dont want to, he suggested.
Go ahead, she murmured. Im too tired to move.
He pulled her to her feet and led her to the bathroom. As he filled the tub, Charlie slowly undressed her. He loved the way her body moved beneath his touch, always seeking the warmth of his hands. Hed become incredibly possessive over the past few days, almost jealous of the time shed spent with her ex.
As he skimmed her jeans down over her hips, she wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes. He took his time as he came back up, smoothing his palms over her hips and torso. Though hed grown familiar with her curves, her body never failed to intrigue him.
He wanted to know about the tiny scar on her knee and why she always painted her toes red but left her fingernails untouched. He wanted to analyze the patterns of freckles on her arms and memorize the scent of her hair. Would these things ever begin to bore him? Or would he always find things to intrigue him?
When she was completely naked, he helped her into the tub, then sat on the floor beside it. This is wonderful, she murmured, sinking into the hot water. I never take baths.
Maybe you should start, he said, smoothing his hand over her damp shoulder.
Its relaxing, she said, her eyes closing and her lips parting slightly. He watched her as she drifted off to sleep, her body relaxing completely and her features growing soft and girlish. Charlie couldnt remember ever feeling this content. He wasnt thinking about where he had to be next or what he had to do to get there. He wanted to be here with Eve, to fall asleep with her in his arms and to wake up to the sight of her pretty face.
God, youre really losing it, he murmured, smoothing a strand of hair out of her eyes. This was crazy. Something had happened to him on that mountaintop. The lack of oxygen had scrambled his brain. He was actually imagining hed fallen in love with Eve.
He stared at her face, at the features that had quickly become so familiar to him. Something was driving him forward, pushing him to learn more, to deepen their relationship just to see where it took them both.
Maybe this was just another adventure, he mused, another environment to conquer. But what then? Would he move on? Would she turn into just another conquest? God, he didnt want to hurt her. Though she wouldnt admit it, his leaving five years ago had changed the course of her life-and not necessarily for the better.
He was determined not to make a mess of this a second time. When and if he left, it would be her decision, not his. For now, hed stay as long she wanted him.
Evie? Charlie smoothed a palm over her cheek. Sweetheart, wake up.
She opened her eyes and smiled. Did I fall asleep?
Charlie nodded. Hell, what did he expect? She hadnt had more than four or five hours sleep the past three nights and shed put in a full day of work after each. Maybe it was time to spend the night sleeping. Come on, lets put you to bed. He helped her out of the tub then grabbed a towel from the basket and wrapped it around her. She followed him to the bedroom, stumbling over her own feet along the way.
When he pulled back the covers, she crawled beneath them and moaned softly. Charlie quickly stripped off his clothes and lay down behind her, tucking her body into the curve of his.