Page 49 of Miss Treated

“Absolutely. Guy 101 says cooking for a woman is relationship territory.”

“Ah, but you cooked me peppers and onions, clearly a meal for the friend zone.”

I moved quickly, lifting her up and settling her on my lap. “You think so, huh? You forget something important.”

“What?” she whispered, her gaze holding mine.

“I had the same meal, which means I don’t mind.” I rubbed my thumb over her thick lower lip, wanting nothing more than to taste her. I closed the gap, finally intent on doing so when an intruding sound made us both freeze.

“Nicky, you outside?”

“It’s my mom.” I couldn’t believe it. I’d given her a key because she watched Lady when I traveled. It wasn’t intended for walking in on a Saturday morning.

Kelsey practically springboarded off of me and landed in her own chair with a thump.

My mother appeared in the doorframe. “Hello. Sorry to interrupt.”

Judging from her grin, she definitely wasn’t. Instead she was all too excited to meet my company. My very-red-in-the-face, looked-as-if-she-wanted-to-crawl-under-the-table company.

“Hi, Mom.” I stood up to give her the expected kiss on the cheek. “This is my friend, Kelsey. Kelsey, this is my mother, Anna Chambers.”

Kelsey stood up, and my mother took her hand. “Nice to meet you, dear. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Jesus. Subtle much? I gave a look toward my mom like, “be cool.”

Kelsey’s blush deepened. “Uh, nice to meet you, Mrs. Chambers.”

“Please call me Anna.”

“What brings you by?” I wasn’t trying to be impatient, but damn, she’d totally spoiled a moment.

“I thought perhaps you wouldn’t be feeling great after your flight yesterday, and I’d treat you to breakfast, but I see you cooked omelets. Have enough for one more?”

In other words, she had no intention of leaving, at least not without finding out more about Kelsey. “Of course.”

She patted my cheek. “Wonderful. Also could you bring me some of that OJ you’re drinking? But with a splash of vodka.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Kelsey

Dominic mouthed “sorry” before going into the kitchen and leaving me with his mom. Although I was apprehensive about meeting his mother in a personal capacity when I worked for his father in a professional one, it was fascinating to get a look at her and see the obvious affection between them.

She took a seat next to Dominic’s. “I’m sorry I dropped in unannounced. Nicky didn’t tell me he had a date.”

“It’s not a date. We’re just friends.”

She arched a brow, and I realized that she’d walked in on me sitting in her son’s lap.

“Lucky friend to have him cook for you. He has this notion about never cooking for a date because a girl might get the wrong idea.”

I smiled. “He mentioned it.”

“How was New York?”

Boy, she wasn’t kidding when she’d said she heard about me. “The Chambers Tech office is impressive. Everyone was very nice.”

“Barbara, the office manager, is like family.”