Secret North: Book 4 of The Wishes Series by GJ Walker-Smith Page A

was more food in his fridge than in the storeroom of his restaurant.
    “How about something fancy?” He glanced at me. “ Oeufs brouillés ?”
    “That sounds amazing.”
    “You’re sure?” he asked, sounding worried.
    I wasn’t sure about anything. I had no idea what it was, but he made it sound heavenly. “If it’s out of your league, I’ll settle for cereal.”
    Ryan nudged the fridge door closed with his foot and carried an armload of ingredients to the counter. “Nothing is out of my league when it comes to cooking. I’m a fine chef,” he declared, dumping the food down in a heap.
    “You like to cook?” The notion surprised me.
    “No, I love to cook,” he corrected. “I’m actually more of a baker. I like to bake. Cakes are my specialty.”
    I laughed, and then threw my hand over my mouth because it was inappropriate. “I’m sorry,” I replied. “It’s not funny. It’s actually very sweet.”
    Ryan smiled crookedly. “It’s not common knowledge, Bente.” He grabbed a whisk from a drawer. “If you tell anyone, I’ll deny it.”
    “Who would I tell?” I grinned. “All you’ve done is even the score. I told you about my Dirty Dancing addiction, remember?”
    “I remember.”
    “So we’re even.”
    “ Au contraire , sweetheart,” he crowed. “I’m still ahead.”
    ***
    Oeufs brouillés wasn’t anywhere near as impressive as it sounds.
    “Scrambled eggs?” I asked, staring at the plate in front of me. “I thought you were going to serve me something fabulous – like a plate of truffles infused with the laughter of a thousand babies.”
    “That would be amazing,” he agreed. “Are you disappointed?”
    I turned the plate in a full circle, pretending to study it. “No,” I had to admit. “Nothing about the past day has disappointed me.”

    13. TRAIN WRECK

    Ryan
    Strange things were happening to me. I had a million things to do that day, and most involved getting Nellie’s back in order after my theatrics of the night before. But spending the morning with Bente was much more enjoyable. We sat at the kitchen counter, enjoying breakfast. Conversation flowed, and before I knew it, it was close to midday.
    “I should be going,” she said, noticing me glance at my watch.
    “Why?”
    Bente carried the plates to the sink. “Because the day is slipping away. My sister is probably going out of her mind.”
    Her sister was already out of her mind.
    “How long are you planning to stay with Ivy?” I asked curiously.
    She leaned against the counter. “It was supposed to be temporary but it looks like I’m in for the long haul now – at least until I can find a new job.”
    I bit my tongue to stop myself offering her one. It would’ve been an insult. Bente wasn’t a server any more. She’d been a working reporter in Boston for a long time before coming home to New York. “I’m sure something will come up,” I said instead.
    “Yes, I know it will,” she agreed, walking back to me, “but a great new job isn’t going to just fall in my lap, which is why I should be spending the day job hunting instead of hanging out with you.”
    As soon as she was in reach, I swivelled the stool and grabbed her. “I don’t think you should leave,” I said quietly. “I want you to stay.”
    She wedged her body between my legs. Her hand moved to the back of my head, raking her nails through my hair. “I have to leave some time, Ryan. There’s only so much sex two people can have before they die of exhaustion.”
    Close enough to kiss her, I brushed my lips against hers. “Are you prepared to investigate that theory? I’d be happy to be your single topic of interest.”
    Her body instinctively leaned, chasing my mouth. “I’m always up for a challenge, Ryan,” she murmured.
    ***
    No one dies from an excess of sex. After two days of intensive research, we proved it. The investigative study might’ve been ongoing if not for the fact that real life kicked in.
    Late on day one, Ivy