Page 30 of Something Old

“I forgot. I have a meeting. I’ll get coffee on the way.” I say, pushing away from the kitchen counter and walking out because I can’t handle how clingy she’s beingand how it’s making my body heat with anticipation.

She clearly assumes that because of last night we are somehow super close now.

She is the most naïve and clueless person I’ve ever met.

I don’t actually know how to handle it. So, I think the best thing is if I just get out of here for the day. She can simmer down. Maybe get the message while I’m gone.

Dammit.

It really doesn’t help that I am so fucking attracted to her.

I get dressed in a hurry, then rush downstairs to grab my car keys. She isn’t here, thank goodness, she must be in her room.

I pull the door closed behind myself and even though I do not know where I’m going, I’m happy to be out of the house where I can breathe a little.

It’s late when I get back home, almost nine o’clock. I made a point of staying out until after dinner time, sitting at the bar alone having a beer and wondering what the hell is going on in my life.

I push the front door open and the rich aroma of roast lamb rushes over me.

It smells incredible.

I peak my head into the kitchen, relieved that she isn’t there. She must have eaten and gone up to her room already.

I scratch around in the kitchen, not finding the food, wondering where she would have stored the leftovers.

“Odd.” I mumble. Maybe she left it on the dining room table for the housekeeper to sort out in the morning.

I make my way through the living room and into the dining room.

She’s sitting at the table, smiling, wearing the most gorgeous tight red dress I have ever seen.

Her hair is falling loose over her shoulders and the entire room is lit with candles, flickering and casting moving shadows around the room.

On the table she has set up two placemats. The roast lamb is on a board in the center, and surrounding it are potatoes roasted to crisped perfection, green beans tossed with garlic mushrooms and butternut squares.

My mouth is watering - for the food and for her in that incredible dress.

“Mas - um - surprise.” She says with a shy giggle.

My lips curl in a snarl as I bite back my annoyance.

“I thought I told you not to worry about me for dinner?”

“You did, but I really wanted to just - do something nice - to surprise you.” She stands up and walks around the table towards me. Her hips swaying and the candlelight making her skin glow.

She slips her hands around my waist and lifts her head as though she wants to kiss me.

I turn my head away.

“I’m going to bed.” I mutter, dark and moody.

“Oh, but—”

“Night, Leora.” I step away from her and hurry out of the dining room.

My stomach churns in anger as I walk away from the incredible dinner she prepared. But how can I sit there in romantic candlelight and eat with her? What kind of message would that give her?

CHAPTER TWELVE

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