Page 67 of Ordinary Secrets

“Yeah. It was the only thing that would stay up on my waist. Do you mind?”

I’m about to say “of course not,” then I stop. Instead, I grin like a mischievous little puppy. “Actually, I do mind. You should take my boxers off right now and just lounge in your underwear.”

“I might have... if I was wearing any.”

My dick turns rock solid again. “Saywhaaa? You’re not wearing any underwear?”

“Well, I was, but they got wet.”

“How did they get wet?”

She bites her lip, smirking at me. Finally, I get it.

“Fuck.” I throw the steaks and salad onto the counter, then stomp down the hall.

Arella giggles, and it only makes my cock twitch more. “Where are you going?”

“You’re driving me crazy, babe,” I say over my shoulder. “I can’t stand to be in the same room with you right now.”

Any longer and I’ll lose what little control I have, put her over my shoulder, and strip her naked in my bedroom. She’s not ready for that... yet.

“Okay,” Arella calls after me. “I’ll start seasoning the steaks.”

Half an hourlater

“Would you like some wine?” I ask, gesturing toward the three bottles on the shelf behind me. In addition to all the baking supplies, I also purchased these last night, just for her. I hope I got something she’ll like.

“No, thank you,” she says, and I have to keep from frowning. “Water’s fine.”

I’m curious to see how or if alcohol affects her immunity, but I can’t do that if she doesn’t accept the damn wine. If a little alcohol can break down her immunity walls and let me sense her, that might be the breakthrough I need to figure this out.Maybe next time.

I’m about to sit in front of my warm plate when I sense someone approaching my house. Their depressing energy weighs me down like bricks tied to my arms. Heavy emotions like that always come at me stronger. The more the energy seeps into me, the more I’ve got a hunch as to who it is. The curtains in the living room are drawn shut, so I can’t peek outside to confirm, but nobody ever comes over unannounced with emotions like that—except one.

Jess is the last person I want to see right now, especially with Arella here. When the doorbell rings, I make no effort to stand.

“Aren’t you going to get that?” Arella asks.

“Eh. It’s probably just UPS.”

The doorbell rings again.

Arella glances that way. “Maybe they need a signature.”

Groaning, I get up.At least she didn’t barge in this time.

When I open the door, my heart plummets. Liz has puffy eyes, red cheeks, and messy hair. My irritation from five seconds ago instantly melts into concern.

Liz runs her face into my chest, sniffling. I wrap a protective arm around her and slam the door shut. She quietly sobs as I hold her. Usually, crying makes me cringe, but this is Liz. She’s the one who can turn any storm into sunshine. If she’s crying, something is seriously wrong.

My tone comes out rough. “What happened?”

She lifts her head and wipes away some tears with her gloved fingertips. She’s careful, as if not to ruin her makeup, but it’s too late for that.

“I—” Liz catches a glimpse of Arella at the dinner table. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to impose on?—”

“Stop.” I grab her face with both hands, forcing her to look at me. “What happened?”

She breathes in heavily, not answering. Maybe this isn’t a conversation we should have in front of an Ordinary. Taking her hand, I drag her toward my music room.

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