Page 16 of Foreplay on Words

“Water?”

“Is that all you want?” I asked curiously. She seemed like the type that liked to curl up with a book and a glass of wine.

“What are you offering?”

“I could open some wine,” I nodded to my small countertop rack that displayed several bottles.

“Maybe another night? I have to drive back.”

I smiled at the implication that she intended to be here for another meal. I liked the sound of that. Eating alone for months on end was mildly depressing.

“How far do you have to drive?” I didn’t even know where she was staying. I only got a text yesterday from Adrian telling me she’d be here at 4:00 today.

He knew I had a routine I liked to keep in the morning, and I usually wrote for a while after lunch. My days were all the same.

“Not far. Only about fifteen minutes. But I’m not sure how well I’ll navigate out of here in the dark.” Her voice had a slight tinge of worry. It was intimidating to drive out here, where there were lots of places to get turned around.

“No street lamps to guide you,” I murmured and then cleared my throat. “I’m sorry. Maybe we should have met at your hotel.”

While we talked, I started to pull ingredients out of the fridge. It was nice to have someone here with me. Chase was surprisingly easy to talk with.

“No, it’s okay. The bed and breakfast Isobel reserved for me is very quaint.”

“I still feel bad that I’m the reason you had to come out here, and you have to do all the work,” I sighed.

“It’s all being written off as a corporate expense,” she shrugged before she leaned forward on her elbows, propping her chin on her hands as she watched me. “I really don’t mind it. The quiet out here in and of itself is nice. I’m so used to the sound of traffic I’d forgotten what true quiet was.”

I glanced back at her with a smile. It made me happy that she enjoyed being out here. Not many city dwellers could appreciate a slower life. It had been a challenge, but I wasn’t willing to stay in the city after everything that had happened. It was easier to escape.

“It was hard for me to adjust to at first, but now I’m not sure I could sleep without the quiet.” I confessed.

“Where did you live before you moved here?” she asked curiously, focusing squarely on me. Normally, I would have started stuttering by now, but I liked her watching me—and turnabout was fair play.

“Chicago, California. Boston for a little while, but I needed to get away from the city.”

“It can be a bit of a pain sometimes, but everything is so accessible,” she smiled.

We continued talking about places we’d lived and places she’d traveled as I chopped vegetables and sautéed the chicken.

I liked listening to the inflections in her voice. She had an interesting way of describing things; I could see how she’d translated that ability into her books.

We ate at the island, side by side, our knees and elbows occasionally brushing. I found myself eating slower, trying to prolong my time with her. As soon as this meal was over, she’d probably be leaving. The sun was already starting to set, and a sense of unease filled me unexpectedly. I’d enjoyed her company, warm smiles, and ability to get me to open up, even if it was about something mundane.

“Well,” she yawned as she stretched and swiveled her stool to face me. “That was amazing. You’ve officially spoiled me. You’ll have to teach me some tricks while I’m here.”

My pants started to feel a little snug as I thought about tricks being taught in my kitchen. My kitchen island was the perfect height to...

“Are you still with me?”

“Hmm?” I hummed. “Oh, sorry.” I must have been quiet too long while I was fantasizing about bending her over the counter. Or lifting her on the counter and dropping to my knees…

“I should probably get going. Have to get some sleep before I come back tomorrow to whip you into shape.” She laughed as I felt my cheeks turn pink at the images her words conjured in my head. My mind strayed to a graphic scene she’d written between Michael and Kayla involving a flogger.

“Hopefully, you’ll take mercy on me,” I chuckled as I looked over at her playful smile.

“Oh, don’t you worry, I’ll be gentle.”

I hoped she wouldn’t.

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