Leo’s body pressed against my back as he guided my hands, his fingers warm and firm over mine. The heat from the grill wasn’t the only thing making my skin flush.
“Like this,” he murmured, his lips barely an inch from my ear. “You need to arrange them by density. Mushrooms cook faster than peppers.”
I tried to focus on the vegetables, but all I could think about was how his chest felt against my back, solid and warm. His hands dwarfed mine as he helped thread the pieces onto the skewer.
“I’ve worked in kitchens before,” I pointed out, trying to sound normal despite the flutter in my chest. “I was a maid for years, rember?”
Leo chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest and into my back. “Cooking and grilling are different beasts, sweetheart. Trust on this one.”
He adjusted my grip on the skewer, his fingers sliding between mine in a way that felt far more intimate than the simple act deserved. When he spoke again, his lips brushed the shell of my ear. I shivered when his breath danced across my skin.
“Hold it like this,” he whispered. “Gentle but firm.”
My breath hitched. Was he still talking about grilling? The double aning wasn’t lost on , and from the smirk I could feel against my ear, it wasn’t accidental.
“Now you try,” he said, releasing my hands but keeping his body flush against mine.
I fumbled with the next skewer, hyperaware of every point where our bodies touched. The vegetables kept slipping off as my usually steady hands trembled.
“I’m usually better at this,” I mumbled, embarrassed.
“Are you?” His voice dropped lower, lips grazing the sensitive spot just below my ear. “I bet you’re good at a lot of things, Hazel.”
Heat crawled across my skin that had nothing to do with the grill in front of us. I bit my lip to stifle a gasp when his hands settled on my hips.
“Let help you focus,” he said, but his touch was doing exactly the opposite.
His thumbs traced small circles at the small of my back as I attempted to finish another skewer. When I finally completed it without dropping anything, I felt ridiculously proud.
“There you go,” he praised, his voice a low rumble. “Now for the placent.”
Leo guided my hand toward the grill, his chest pressed firmly against my back. The contact made acutely aware of sothing hard pressing against my lower back. I nearly dropped the skewer into the flas.
“Careful now,” he warned, steadying my wrist. “We don’t want to ruin all your hard work.”
I managed to place the skewer on the grill, but when I tried to step back, Leo kept in place.
“We’re not done yet,” he murmured, reaching for the tongs. “You need to learn how to turn them at just the right ti.”
His free hand slid from my hip to my stomach, fingers splaying wide across my abdon. The possessive touch sent shivers up my spine, and I struggled to keep my breathing even.
“When do I turn them?” I asked, my voice embarrassingly breathy.
“When they’re hot enough,” he replied, and I could hear the smirk in his voice. “You have to be patient. Wait until they’re sizzling.”
As if to emphasize his point, Leo’s lips found the curve where my neck t my shoulder—right where a mating mark would go. The brief contact made shiver violently, a soft gasp escaping my lips.
“Leo,” I whispered, not sure if I was asking him to stop or continue.
He humd against my skin, the vibration traveling down my spine. “Just showing you the ropes, sweetheart.”
I was about to reply when Levi’s voice rang out across the beach.
“Hey! Is the food ready yet? We’re starving over here!”
Leo pulled back so quickly I nearly lost my balance. The sudden absence of his warmth left feeling strangely bereft. When I turned to look at him, his expression was calm and collected, as if he hadn’t just been pressed against , driving crazy with his touch.
“Almost done,” he called back, shooting a knowing smirk. “Just giving Hazel so grilling pointers.”
I gaped at him, amazed by how easily he’d switched modes while I was still trying to calm my racing heart.
“Right,” I muttered, turning back to the grill with burning cheeks. “Grilling pointers.”
“Don’t worry,” Leo murmured, just for my ears. “We can continue your lesson later.”
Within minutes, we carried platters of perfectly grilled ats and vegetables to the table. My hands still trembled slightly, and the throbbing between my legs made it hard to concentrate on anything else.
“This looks amazing,” Liam exclaid as we set the food down.
Lucas nodded in agreent, his eyes flicking between Leo and with a hint of suspicion. “You two work well together.”
“Hazel’s a quick learner,” Leo replied smoothly, taking a seat across from .
Levi draped an arm around my shoulders as I sat down. “You okay? You look flushed.”
“Just the heat from the grill,” I lied, avoiding Leo’s gaze.
The food was delicious—tender at and perfectly charred vegetables—but I could barely taste any of it. Every ti Leo caught my eye, he’d give that infuriating smirk that made heat pool low in my belly. Whenever he reached for sothing across the table, his movents were deliberate, almost predatory, reminding of how his hands had felt on my body.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, crossing and uncrossing my legs to alleviate the persistent ache that refused to subside.
“I need to use the bathroom,” I finally announced, standing abruptly.
“Everything okay?” Liam asked, concern etched across his face.
“Fine! Just fine,” I assured him, perhaps too enthusiastically. “Be right back.”
I practically fled from the table, making my way to the villa as quickly as dignity would allow. Once inside, I located the nearest bathroom and pushed open the door, desperate for a mont alone to compose myself.
Before I could close it properly, a hand shot out, stopping the door. I gasped as Leo stepped inside, his tall fra filling the doorway.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded, backing up against the sink.
Leo said nothing. He stepped forward, closing the distance between us. With one fluid motion, he reached behind and locked the door. Then his lips ca crashing down on mine in a passionate kiss.
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