Page 36 of Ms Perfectly Fine
“You used my card! How could you spend so much on groceries?” he cried out.
“Only the best for you. IfI’mdoing the cooking, I think it’s only fair you pay for the ingredients,” she called back.
He came out of his office, waving the receipt at her. “You didn’t think to ask?”
“I thought it would be a nice surprise. You get what you want. I even cooked dinner for you tonight.” She wished she hadn’t. Standing to cook after a day’s practise meant she needed an ice pack more than she cared to admit.
He crumpled the receipt in his hand and stormed past her. “I need to cool off. I’m taking a shower.”
She followed him up, but he closed the door on her.
“I thought you’d be happy to pay, considering I’m doing all the cooking.” She leaned against the door, hearing the water run.
“Go away, Autumn.”
She smiled to herself. Brinkley lay by the door, patiently waiting for her owner. Autumn knelt and scratched her ears. “Don’t worry, he’ll be out a lot sooner than you think.”
“Autumn!”
Elijah’s shout made her feel all warm and fuzzy. She was beginning to enjoy the sound of her name on his lips.Two victories in one day.After practice, she’d used the last of the hot water to warm her aching muscles.
She heard rustling inside the bathroom and grumbled words she couldn’t make out.
“In my defence, I didn’t know you would be showering,” she said through the door.
Elijah threw open the door, wearing a towel wrapped dangerously low around his hips.
Autumn ran her hands through her wet hair. “It takes a while to wash my hair,” she said innocently.
Elijah stared down at her so fiercely she thought she would shrink. She diverted her gaze down, only to realise her mistake.
“You’re shameless,” he said, and she had to drag her gaze from the V at his hips that dipped below the towel.
“Sorry, I was admiring the view.” She smirked.
“Some things are better experienced than admired,” he drawled, stepping closer—too close.
Autumn swallowed, trying to breathe so her heart would stop beating in her ears. “Learn to enjoy it. Cold showers are meant to be good for you,” she said, not daring to think of what else they could experience together.
“I think we need to add to our peace agreement,” he said, not allowing her to escape. His eyes drifted to her lips, and she thought he was going to kiss her. A part of her even wanted him to.
“What would that be?” she breathed, trying to move back but unable to.
“How about we agree on a time that will leave us with enough water for both of us?” he bargained, looking over her curves with hungry eyes.
She smiled, trying not to react. “How about you move out and find a place with a shower all for yourself?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he whispered against her ear.
Autumn folded her arms across her chest to conceal her body’s reaction. “Then learn to enjoy the cold water.”
“You’re right.” He squared his shoulders. “I think the cold is quite refreshing. What’s a little cold water? I’m sure the dinner you prepared for me will warm me up.”
Her joy disintegrated as she watched him return downstairs. She hadn’t thought her victory would be so short-lived.
Autumn collapsed on her bed, screaming into a pillow.What do I have to do to see the back of him?She tried to erase the image of him in a towel from her memory.Putting away what she had bought, she had found the rice pudding she had made and realised Elijah hadn’t stolen it, but the food had been already bought, and she’d figured he still deserved punishment after all he had put her through.Just because he didn’t steal my food this time doesn’t mean he won’t in the future.
Suddenly, any thoughts of Elijah disappeared as she was overcome with a series of spasms rippling through her back and into her legs.I shouldn’t have stood for so long cooking!
