Page 36 of Defying Ella
I studied him, the pieces of Jared Michaels I’d struggled to understand beginning to form a picture. He didn’t like praise, he didn’t believe himself talented, despite the evidence to the contrary, and when he wasn’t prowling for an easy hookup, he avoided everyone not in the band or management. All of it screamed insecurity.
“I wish I could cook like this.” I broke off a piece of breadand dipped it in the soup. “Did you make the bread too?” Of course I knew the answer, I’d scoured the pantry when we first got snowed in.
He nodded and I chewed my cheek, struggling with my instinctive need to protect myself from him. He didn’t want to talk about it, but I couldn’t stop— No, I didn’t want to stop.
“And it tastes so good too.” I grinned, allowing myself to relax back in my chair. “My mother tried to teach me to make the most basic loaf of bread when I was younger.” My face screwed up as I remembered the mess I’d made. Mel hadn’t fared much better.
I twirled my wine glass, watching him from beneath my lashes. He shifted in his seat, his bowl empty but still he avoided meeting my gaze at all costs.
“Who taught you?”
“No one.”
“Really?” I squeaked. He nodded at my surprise. “How did you learn, then?”
“The internet can teach you anything.” Shrugging, he picked up his glass. His gaze flickered across the window behind me, up to the ceiling and the chandelier dangling above us, over to the crackling fire. Anything to not look at me, it seemed. “Especially if you’re bored and committed enough.”
He knocked his wine back, his eyes briefly closing and extinguishing his frantic energy for just a second. A second was all I needed to catch my breath.
“That’s crazy impressive.”
He hummed a non-committal agreement before his focus dropped to my empty bowl. “Ready for the next course?”
“Next course?” My eyes widened. “Wow, you really did go all out, didn’t you?”
His jaw shifted. “Wouldn’t be much of an apology if I didn’t work for it.”
He didn’t wait for a reply, scooping up the bowls without a word. I topped up our glasses, eyeing the oven when he removed two more plates.
“How many courses are we talking about here?”
I mean I could happily eat the entire breadbasket and go to bed, but if I needed the room… no way would I turn away a single plate he’d prepared.
“Just three.” His lips quirked as he placed fresh plates on the table. His gaze fell to the almost empty bottle. “Do you want me to fetch another one of those?”
“Nah, I’m good with your wine assortment.” I picked up my fork, my gaze roaming the lentil bolognese. “So do I get more cookies?”
His mouth dropped open and I took satisfaction in catching him off guard.
“You ate the entire plate?”
“Well duh. Who can resist cookies as good as those?” This time I couldn’t hold back my moan. “I’m going to need a refillable supply of those beauties. I won’t even complain when I gain a stone or two from all the sugar.”
His cheeks reddened while his eyes dropped to my mouth.Interesting.I dug into the lentil bolognese, enjoying it as much as the first course but loving the low-level heated simmer Jared fought to hide.
He tore his gaze away from me, focusing on his own plate. “I’ll make you more in the morning,” he mumbled so low I almost missed it.
“Thank you.” I beamed before throwing back some more wine. “Look at us, getting along for a change.”
“Yes, it’s a nice change, Sparky.” Jared studied me with barely masked curiosity.
I tilted my head. “What’s that look for?”
He tugged his lower lip between his teeth while he alternated between shooting me questioning glances and chewinghis food. Minutes ticked by and I pretty much lost hope that he’d answer.
“I forget sometimes how easy it was to be around you.” He didn’t meet my eye, but his quiet words snagged all of my attention. “I don’t mean on tour… although, if I’d let you…” He winced. “We won’t go there.” Now he glanced at me, his expression begging for forgiveness. “I was an ass on tour, we don’t need to rehash that, but before, when we were locked away from it all and it was just us…”
“You could be yourself.” At his nod, I continued, “and you tried to let me in, for a little while at least.”
