Chapter 131
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Sarah rinsed her hands again and turned up the stove to full heat, blanching the meat she’d bought at the store. White foam
floated to the surface of the boiling water, and the steam rose, warming her face. Sweat gathered on her forehead, and just as she
was about to wipe it away, Zachary handed her a tissue and gently dabbed at the moisture.
“Thanks,” Sarah murmured.
Zachary tossed the tissue into the trash and washed his hands before picking up a knife to chop vegetables. His pale, well–defined.
hands moved gracefully, making even the sharp blade in his grip seem like an elegant tool. Against the vibrant green of the
vegetables, his skin appeared even more strikingly smooth.
Sarah glanced at him, her mind replaying the moment he’d wiped her brow. Her cheeks flushed as she returned to her task. Fishing the meat out of the pot, she said, “Can you rinse the peppers?”
“Sure.” Zachary set down the knife and started washing the green peppers.
Taking advantage of the moment, Sarah picked up the knife and began chopping, but her attention drifted to Zachary as he
worked. Her thoughts wandered, and before she realized it
“Ah!” she exclaimed, jerking her hand back.
“What happened?” Zachary asked, quickly setting the peppers aside.
“I cut my finger,” Sarah replied, holding her hand as blood seeped through her fingers.
Zachary washed his hands briskly, grabbed some tissues, and handed them to her. “Where’s your first–aid kit?”
“It’s under the TV stand.”
He turned off the stove and went to fetch it while Sarah followed, clutching her hand. The cut wasn’t deep, but the sharp sting.
was enough to make her wince, the pain radiating as though her heart were somehow connected to her fingertips.
“Sit down.”
down,” Zachary instructed, guiding her to the couch. Kneeling in front of her, he opened the first–aid kit and pulled out a bottle of antiseptic. He dabbed the wound gently with a cotton swab soaked in the solution.
“You need to be more careful,” he said, his voice edged with concern.
“I wasn’t paying attention,” she admitted, wincing as the antiseptic burned.
“What were you thinking about?” His deep voice carried a curious warmth.
Sarah didn’t answer. She certainly couldn’t tell him she’d been distracted by watching him.
Zachary carefully placed a waterproof bandage over the cut before putting the first–aid kit back. Standing up, he said, “Stay here.
I’ll finish dinner.”
Her heart thudded in her chest as she stared at the bandage on her finger. Even after he’d left the room, she found herself still
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sitting there, lost in thought. Finally, she got up and leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching him chop vegetables with
practiced ease.
Inwardly, she marveled at the sight. If anyone knew that Zachary Reynolds–legendary in both business and social circles–was
in her kitchen cooking, they’d be stunned.
Meanwhile, Mia was curled up in the corner, sketchpad in hand, completely absorbed in her drawings. She hadn’t reacted to the commotion in the kitchen, likely still unsettled from their trip to the grocery store earlier. Sarah was relieved–she didn’t want Mia to see the blood and risk upsetting her again.
Zachary continued slicing with precision, his expression focused. Sarah caught herself wondering what he looked like when he was working in his office. Her thoughts drifted until Zachary turned around and caught her staring
“Admiring me, are you?” he teased, a smile playing on his lips.
“I’m not looking at you. I’m just making sure you don’t mess up dinner,” she replied quickly, a little flustered.
“Sure,” Zachan
Zachary said with a chuckle. “Just don’t fall for me while you’re watching.”
She rolled her eyes, but her gaze inadvertently followed a bead of sweat as it traced the sharp line of his jaw and slipped down his neck. Her mind betrayed her, recalling the firm warmth of his chest and the way her arms had circled his neck when he’d carried
her.
“Does anyone else know how full of yourself you are, Mr. Reynolds?”
“Nope,” he said with a smirk, “just you.”
Meanwhile, in the parking lot, James sat in his car, unmoving. He lit a cigarette, the ember flickering as he inhaled and exhaled.
The sight of Zachary in Sarah’s home had been like a slap to the face. He didn’t even like her–so why did it bother him so much?
He was losing it. That had to be it. The box of desserts in the passenger seat mocked him now. What had he been thinking?
Finishing the cigarette, James grabbed the box and headed home, his mind a chaotic mess of questions he didn’t want to answer.
