Here's a little tidbit from "Baby, It's Cold Outside" -- don't worry, it's not TOO hot, but it does have possibilities!
The Time: Winter. The Place: Miranda Todd's kitchen, where she's dining with Caden Doyle, who's been stranded at her house during a snowstorm. What They're Eating: Cincinnati Chili -- mmmmmmm!
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“I wasn’t trying to pry or anything, wondering if you were...” Miranda raised her eyebrows.
He made a trifling gesture. “Oh, that’s okay. I just wouldn’t have thought that I gave off any gay vibes, but you’re right, how can you tell, really?” he conjectured, then took a bite of his chili. After he had chewed and swallowed, he continued. “I mean, I haven’t made any overt passes at you, so I guess it’s logical that you’d wonder if...”
Miranda shrugged. “No, you haven’t. Not that you have to, “ she added quickly, “of course not, that’s your business,” she continued, trying to talk her way back out of where this weird sentence was going. “But it’s just a way,” she said finally, evenly, almost primly, “to get a read on what’s going on...in a guy’s mind...sometimes, I guess.” She gave him a humorous look. “Does that make any sense at all?”
“Once again, I’m following you, a little to my surprise.” Caden smiled indulgently. “Sheesh. I should have just made a move on you a long time ago, and saved you all the anguish.”
Miranda gave a little chuckle. “That probably would have been the simplest solution, yes.”
“Is it too late now?” Caden asked, taking a sip of wine and wiping his lips with his napkin.
She shrugged comically. “I don’t know if there’s a statute of limitations on that kind of thing, but I suppose—-“
Her explanation was cut short as Caden rose and walked to her side of the table, pulled her up by the arms, and folded her into an embrace. “Okay,” he said, before she could protest. “Let’s try to settle this once and for all.” All Miranda could do was look into his dark green eyes as he kissed her, his lips warm on hers, his arms holding her close but not too tightly. She was taken by surprise, her arms hanging limply down at her sides, enjoying Caden’s kiss.
“Pardon the onions,” he quipped as they broke the kiss, but his arms remained around her.
“Pardon mine, too,” Miranda added. “Wow...well...um, I guess--“
Caden frowned down at her. “You’re still not sure?” he chuckled. “Woman, how much proof do you need?” he laughed. “Plus, as they always say, it’s better when you help.”
“What?” she asked, a bit addled.
“You can put your arms around me. I’m definitely not going to break.” He laughed again. “You must really be out of practice,” he said, pulling her a little closer.
“Okay, I admit it. Things have been a little slow since I moved here,” she offered. “It’s been a while since...”
“I can tell. Now, get your arms around me and we’re going to do this right,” he said, waiting until Miranda wound her arms around his broad shoulders. “You ready?” Miranda nodded. “Okay then,” he said softly before their lips met for a second time, this time Caden’s mouth more demanding, more sensuous, more thrilling to Miranda. The kiss was a long one, Miranda’s lips opening up to his, and as she relaxed she felt his arms tighten around her and one of his hands lowered to her waist. When the kiss finally ended, Caden looked into her hazel eyes. “Please tell me you’re sure now,” he smiled. “I can also offer some more...solid...evidence, if you know what I mean,” he said slyly, his hands drawing her hips gently against his, where she felt his burgeoning erection hard against her.
“Well, hey, I’m convinced,” Miranda said. “Evidence accepted,” she joked nervously, but she was excited too, by Caden and his virile body. His hold on her relaxed a bit, but her arms were still around his shoulders as she met his gaze.
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Read the rest of the exciting, amusing and erotic encounter in
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" available from Phaze Publishing now!
The delicious chili variation Cincinnati Chili is a key plot point in my Phaze HeatSheet Baby, It's Cold Outside, and I've just run across a fairly simple recipe which seems to retain the unique flavors of CC. What makes it different is the slightly sweet undertones of the chili, plus the fact that it's served over spaghetti, with several levels of toppings.
