Page 55 of Van Cort
Despite my average cooking ability, the professional-level kitchen and the fully stocked kitchen, as promised, meant that my simple chicken dish with vegetables was relatively easy to prepare.
It was, nice to be left to cook, I can’t remember the last time I had someone over for dinner. It was satisfying in an odd way.
We ate at the enormous dining table that looked more appropriate for a banquet than a simple supper. But there was something homely about it, in all that grandeur, our two place settings, tucked next to each other at one end.
It wasn’t what I had expected when Everett first suggested this. But, like the man himself, I’m learning not to take anything for granted, as it will likely change in an instant.
***
A warmth saturates and cocoons me, and I don’t want to move. If I crack my eyes, it might all be a dream, and I’ll be back in my bedroom, needing to rush off and get to work.
But as I come around from sleep, I feel the slight tightening of his arms around me, as if encouraging me not to stir, not yet, at least.
My lungs pull in a deep, satisfied breath as my body shifts.
“Stop that, or you’ll be staying in bed all day.” He grinds his hips towards me, showing me he’s ready on that threat.
I grin and turn my head and twist in his arms so I’m facing him.
“Good morning.” I tuck my hands against my chest.
This is new. Waking up next to him. I’m almost scared to touch him in case the dream really does shatter.
“Good morning,” The low rumble of his voice reverberates through my body and reminds me of everything he did to me last night.There’s no sign of the suited-up, pristine businessman here, it’s like he’s showing me who he might be beyond that. Underneath it.
“What’s the plan for today?” I ask. “More cooking?”
“If you want breakfast. I have some work to get to this morning.” He plants a kiss to my forehead as if in apology. A flash of disappointment hits me at the mention of work.
“I’d better get the coffee started then.” I kiss him back and pull out of his arms, but he squeezes me for a second longer, preventing my escape. “Hey, you’re the one that said work. Then you can show me around some more.”
He relaxes his arms on a growl and I throw back the covers and leave the warmth of the bed.
“I’ll be back with coffee.”
***
After occupying myself all morning, I finally head into the dining room where Everett has been holed up since leaving the bedroom earlier this morning.
“Why did you bring me here under the pretence of work if you’re the one who’s busy all the time?” He bites into an apple, crunching it.
“Would you have preferred I tell you I wanted to see just how amenable you are to my tastes? How compatible we are?”
“No, I—”
“This way we all get what we want.” The crack of the next bite punctuates his words.
“Remind me again what I want?”
He tosses the apple core in the trash and walks me towards the back deck, which almost equals the length of the house. “Well, aside from the obvious. I’ve also done you another favour in the eyes of your asshole boss. We all win.”
“It’s very annoying when you’re smart like that.”
“Did I give you any indication I wouldn’t be?”
“No. If you’re going to keep working at the weekend, I might go for a run. Get some exercise and fresh air.” I can’t keep the smirk from my mouth, remembering how out of breath I was after sex last night.
“If you’re going for a run, stick to the marked paths.” He points over in the direction of one side of the lawn. “They run along the drive and through the woods. The main track iscircular so will bring you back. But keep focused. It’s a wild place. It’s not like taking a run around Seattle.”
