Page 67 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
“What else is it, then?”
“Whatever I want it to be.” He kissed my nose and stepped back. “Now, food. I have steaks.”
I slid from the counter and offered to help. While he prepared the steaks, I made a salad. His fridge was sowell stocked and mostly with fresh food. I grabbed a half-drunk bottle of wine and held it up.
“It’s white, we’re having steak.”
“So? Can’t we drink what we like when we like? Let’s break the rules,” I said, teasing him.
He shook his head and smiled; I poured two glasses after opening multiple cupboards to find them. We sat in the sun room and ate. I liked watching him eat. The only way I could describe it was that he atemanly. He tore into his meat and chewed it hard, I thought.
“What?” he asked, seeing me stare at him.
“I like the way you eat.”
He laughed and shook his head. “You are entertained by the strangest things.”
“I’m entertained by you.”
He gave me a wink and while we continued to eat, he told me about the house. He wasn’t pretentious about it, he’d just wanted enough space for himself. I reminded him of the four bedrooms, and he laughed again.
“It was either take over the whole floor just for myself, or have additional bedrooms. One day, I’ll sell this so...” He shrugged his shoulders and then placed his cutlery on his plate.
I finished my meal and took both plates to the sink.
“Do you want more wine?” I asked. I picked up the bottle and took it back to him.
As I stood beside him to pour, he placed his hand around my hips.
“It feels good having you here,” he said.
“It’s a beautiful house, one of my dreams. And for now, that’s where it will have to stay,” I replied, ignoring his meaning.
I grabbed my phone from the kitchen counter and texted Monica. I wanted to know Grandma had settled down okay. She replied immediately to tell me Milly was there and yes, she went off to sleep easily.
“Come and sit, Ruby,” Sebastian said. I followed him into the sitting room.
He sat on the sofa, and I curled up beside him. “This is nice,” I mumbled.
He wrapped his arm around me. “It is. It’s odd, too.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve never done this before,” he said.
“How many partners have you had? Maybe we need to havethatconversation as well,” I said.
“Partners, as in long term? None. I haven’t wanted one until now.”
I looked up at him. “Until now?”
He kissed the top of my head. “Until now. As for your other question, I’m clean. I can show you my latest health certificate.”
“I don’t need to see anything. I’m on the pill, so no worry about babies.”
“I know. I saw it in your bathroom cupboard.” I snuggled down again. “So, how many partners have you had?”
“None,” I replied, and chuckled. “I’ve only had sex with two other men... Boys, really, I guess. I haven’t had sex in a few years. Does it show?”
