Page 32 of Welcome to the Heart Of A Maniac
“Do you have something that I can put on? I need to get out these wet clothes.”
“I’ll grab you something.”
He stopped in the kitchen and picked up the bottle of Remy off the counter and then turned it up. “Want some?” he asked when he came up for air.
Goose bumps coursed my entire frame. I hugged myself, trying to get warm. Though the lights were out, the house still has a cold draft to it.
“Let me get you some clothes before you get sick.”
“Thanks.”
“Wait right here.”
He disappeared out the kitchen and I used that as an opportunity to strip down to my underwear. At this point, I didn’t care if he saw me almost naked, I needed to get out these wet clothes. Me being sick didn’t go too well. I’d disappear from the world ’til I felt better again.
“Here,” he said when he came back into the kitchen with some clothes folded up in his hands.
I grabbed the shirt and pajama pants and told him, “Turn around so I can change.”
“You act like you got something that I ain’t seen before.”
My head tilted and I replied, “Turn around.”
Shaking his head, he did as he was told. I placed the clothes on the counter and unclasped my bra. It dropped to the floor at my feet. I slipped the white t-shirt over my head and then shimmed out of my panties, replacing them with the pajama pants.
“You can turn back around.”
He spun on his heels and faced me. “I’m gon’ hit the generator so we’ll have some lights.” He stepped to a door in the kitchen and when he opened it, that’s when I saw it was the garage. Maniac stepped down in it and seconds later, the lights turned back on. I released a sigh. At least I didn’t have to worry about waiting the storm out in the dark.
He came back into the kitchen and shut the garage door behind him. “You hungry?”
My fingertips grazed my stomach, reminding me that I hadn’t even fully got the chance to enjoy my snack before I hauled ass out of there.
“A lil bit.”
“Either you is or you ain’t,” he said as he stepped around the marble island. Now that the lights were back on, I can fully take in the beauty of the kitchen. The appliances are state of the art, looking like a chef should be gracing this kitchen. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a double fridge before in person. It’s huge.
Reaching into the oven, he pulled out a plate and set it on the island. “Sit,” he instructed me. I eased onto the barstool and sat at the island. The plate has smothered chicken, white rice, green beans and a roll. It smelled good as fuck.
“Who made this?” I asked him as he handed me a fork.
“Does it matter?”
“Yo’ girlfriend made this for you?” My brow lifted to my hairline as I gazed at him. I knew exactly what I was doing. He wasn’t telling me much about him, so I was prying for answers. Ain’t no way a man as fine as him was walking around here single. Some might think the same about me, but I’m fresh out of a relationship.
“Unless you snuck yo’ ass in here and made that shit, nah.”
“Me?” I poked myself in the chest with my thumb and cocked my head.
“Yeah, you.” He picked up the roll and stuffed it into my mouth before I was able to respond. I bit into it and placed it back onto the plate.
After chewing and swallowing, I said, “I wasn’t aware that I was in a relationship.”
“What the fuck did you think we were doing?”
“Honestly, I don’t know what you called yourself doing. I didn’t ask for any of this.”
“You thought that I just agreed to take you for fun?” He removed the fork from my fingers and sliced the chicken. It broke effortlessly. Picking up a piece, he brought it to my mouth. My eyes searched his. I needed to know what his real motives for me were. Opening my mouth, I allowed him to put the foodinside. I savored it all. Chicken tasted like something I’d go to a restaurant and order.
