Page 12 of Sins of the Flesh
Cole is perched in one of the chairs at the small table, a half-eaten muffin in one hand and a coffee mug in the other.His toolbelt is slung over the back of the chair, and there's a smudge of blueberry on his upper lip and crumbs dusting his cheeks.The container that was full this morning, holding eight muffins, now holds only two.
"Oh hey bossman," Cole mumbles with his mouth full.“I left you some.”His face is sheepish and flushed.Laughter bubbles out of me, and he swallows and grins.
“So I assume they are good?”I ask with a chuckle.
“Did you know they have lemon!?”His wide eyes are electric, and I feel a flutter in my chest.He likes them.
“You don't say.”I pluck a muffin from the container and bite into it, the blueberry and lemon flavor exploding in my mouth.These really did turn out delicious.
"These are better than my Moms,” he exclaims, then lowers his voice in a whisper.“Please don't tell her I said that,” then he asks.“Did your Wife make them?"Just as I am about to tell him I made them, I simply nod and smile.I don't know why, but telling him feels like I am admitting something, though I'm not sure what.
"Well, I definitely appreciate it."Cole reaches for the last muffin, looking at me, and I nod."Sorry, I demolished most of them.Couldn't help myself once I got started."
"That's what they're there for," I say, waving away his apology.The coffee maker gurgles to life behind me, filling the small room with its rich aroma.
"If I keep eating your Wife’s cooking, I’m going to have to start going to the gym.”He remarks, popping the last bite into his mouth.“Well, I better go work these off.”He says, standing, rubbing his flat stomach, “Hey Caleb?Would you mind thanking her for me?”He asks.I smile and nod as he leaves the room.
I glance at the empty container, and that same warmth from last night fills my chest again.Something about my cooking making him so happy makes me want to feed him all the time.
Seven
Cole
Clumsy - Fergie
W
ell, I have survived two months, it hasn't been hard really, well, some things have been…consistently.But aside from that, it's been nice.Caleb’s Wife is an amazing cook, I should know because Caleb has shared lunch with me every day over the last two weeks.
Before that, it would happen once in an odd while, and gradually it became an everyday thing.I can't complain.I mean free delicious food, but seriously, I think I’m starting to pudge up, the gym might be a thing in my future.
Today, though, I might have to skip lunch.When I saw him this morning, dressed in shorts showing off his spectacular legs and a basic t-shirt that stretched across his chest like skin, saying casually, “Decided to do some cleaning in my office.”It was all I could do to keep my tongue inside my mouth.
That very vivid image of him dances through my brain for the 50th time today as I lie under a pew trying to loosen a stubborn bolt."You little fucker, damn it."I grumble as I strain against the tool while my other tool tightens my jeans.
"Cole?"I hear Caleb call out just as the bolt lets loose, and I lose my grip on the heavy ratchet, causing it to smack me in the face.
"Fuck" I yell, as I grab my nose attempting to get up quickly only to smack my head on the pew."Ow, son of Bitch!"I clutch my face as I lie curled on the floor.
"Oh my God, Cole, are you okay?"Caleb asks, sounding nearby.
"Fine, I'm just going to lie here and die if that's okay," I say, my words muffled through my hands.
I feel him tugging at my hands gently, "Let me take a look at you."I pull my hands away, giving up on the fact that I'm positive my face is covered in a humiliating blush.Maybe I'm bleeding, and Caleb won't notice?
"Shit Cole, you’re bleeding."I owe you one, God, I say in a silent prayer of thanks."Let me help you up," Caleb hoists me from the floor and sits me on the pew."Okay, tip your head back."He says as he gently tips my head back and places a cloth to my nose."Okay, hold this there.I'm going to guide you to my office.There is a first-aid kit bolted to the wall in the bathroom."
Caleb helps me to my feet and carefully guides me by my shoulders to his office.He sits me down on the closed toilet seat and pulls the cloth from my face.Closing my eyes, I begrudgingly give in to whatever he decides to do.
A wet cloth runs along the bottom of my nose, then on my head.I wince and hiss at the pain."I'm sorry," he says with sympathy in his tone.
"It's not your fault."I grouse.My mood has completely plummeted as I sit slumped while Caleb patches me up.
"Okay, all done."I stand up and grumble a thank you.
My breath catches as I suddenly realize how close we’re standing, just staring at one another, his body heat making me shiver.
"Um…I just want to check out the damage."I let out in a stilted whisper.
