Ava couldn't help but steal glances at Dominic as he moved around the kitchen with practiced ease. His movements were precise, almost choreographed, as he chopped vegetables and stirred the simmering broth. There was a certain grace to the way he handled the utensils, his sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms, veins subtly tracing the path from wrist to elbow.
She found herself mesmerized, not just by his culinary skills but by the man himself. His chiseled features were accentuated by the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the windows. The way his lips curved into a slight smile as he tasted the broth made her heart skip a beat.
She tried to keep her thoughts in check, but as his sleeves rolled up, revealing the strong lines of his arms, her mind betrayed her, darting to places she wasn't prepared for.
What am I thinking? she chastised herself, shaking her head slightly. This is Dominic Vale, my boss. Get a grip, Ava.
She turned her attention to the table, trying to distract herself. Just then, a bowl of steaming noodles was placed in front of her. The aroma was intoxicating, a blend of garlic, sesame, and the freshness of the vegetables.
"Here you go," Dominic said, his voice low and smooth.
Ava picked up the chopsticks and took a bite. The flavors exploded in her mouth, perfectly balanced and utterly delicious. She closed her eyes, savoring the taste.
"This is amazing," she said, looking up at him with genuine appreciation. "I never thought there could be a man who could beat my father's cooking, but this... this is too good."
Dominic raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Is that so?"
She chuckled, "If my father heard this, his heart would break."
He smiled, a rare, genuine smile that lit up his face. Ava felt her breath catch. There was something disarming about seeing him like this, relaxed and open.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Vale," she said sincerely. "This is the best meal I've had in a long time."
Dominic leaned against the counter, watching her with an unreadable expression. She noticed there was only one bowl.
"Aren't you going to eat?" she asked.
He shook his head, "No, I'm fine."
"You're missing out on something really good," she teased, taking another bite.
"Really?" he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Uh-huh," she nodded, mouth full.
Without a word, he walked over and sat beside her. Before she could react, he picked up her chopsticks and took a bite from her bowl.
"Hmm, not bad," he said, nodding appreciatively.
Ava stared at him, eyes wide. "Did you just...?"
He looked at her, feigning innocence. "What?"
"You just ate from my chopsticks!"
He smirked, "I did. Problem?"
She opened her mouth to respond but ended up choking slightly, coughing as she tried to regain composure.
Dominic handed her a glass of water, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Careful there."
She took the glass, sipping gratefully. "You did that on purpose."
"Maybe," he said, his tone teasing.
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the tension between them palpable yet unspoken.
"Thank you," she said again, softer this time.
He looked at her, his expression serious. "Anytime, Ava."
--
Dominic's POV
Dominic had always been in control. His life was a meticulously curated machine of decisions and power plays, and he liked it that way. But tonight, watching Ava stand there in the dim moonlight, looking equal parts startled and stubborn, he felt something shift.
She was a contradiction. Polished yet slightly clumsy, sharp yet soft. And when she'd whispered "It's because of you I couldn't eat," he'd barely restrained a chuckle.
So he cooked. It wasn't something he did often—hardly at all, really—but he wasn't bad at it. His mother had taught him a long time ago, and muscle memory kicked in as he moved through the motions.
He hadn't expected her reaction. The genuine surprise and delight in her voice when she tasted the noodles made his chest ache in a strange way.
What are you doing, Vale?
But then she said, "This is the best meal I've had in a long time," and the words stuck to him, more than they should have.
When he caught her staring at him—her eyes soft and unguarded for a moment—his pulse did something it hadn't in years. He felt a ridiculous urge to close the space between them, to see how far he could push her carefully controlled exterior.
So he sat beside her. Picked up her chopsticks and tasted the food from her bowl. The slight choke and the wide-eyed look she gave him were almost too much.
She's... adorable.
The word made his jaw tighten. He didn't do adorable. He didn't do this.
But with her? He wasn't sure what rules applied anymore.
And when she smiled at him, genuinely pleased, her lips curved softly and her eyes sparkling—he felt a pull so strong it startled him.
what are you doing to me...Ava?