Page 20 of Wine & Whiskey
After a few minutes, Nick returns and sits down next to her. Pinwheels twirl in her stomach as he pulls her close, nestling her into the crook of his arm. The movie plays on, but her focus remains on him, his taut stomach muscles shaking under her hand as he laughs, his fingertips skimming across her wrist as they cuddle.
The second the credits roll, she hops up, flustered by more than his physical presence. Her acceptance of his soft touch symbolizing the sway of her heart. “I liked the movie. Thank you.”
A playful smile crosses his mouth. He stands in front of her and gently cups her face. “You’re welcome.” Leaning in, he presses a kiss on her lips. Soft. Gentle. Chaste. A hint of desire, matching the ache she suppresses in herself.
“I think I’d better go.”
He brushes his thumbs across her cheeks. “Okay, sweetness. If that’s what you want.”
* * *
Hand in hand, they walk upstairs. His lips and groin throb from the brief contact of her silky skin against his. After Juan’s stunt at the coffee house, he’s lucky she’s even here. That she allows him to touch her at all.
An entire week and he barely has one kiss. If it was any other woman, he’d have already fucked her and be scheming to get her out of his bed, probably out of his life. With her, he welcomes whatever she offers him, any sliver of hope she might actually give him a chance. He shakes his head at the foreign feeling of being controlled by a woman, especially one who has no idea of the power she holds over him.
In the foyer, they meet his housekeeper coming from the kitchen. “Hey Marta, this is my friend, Shae.”
Her dark brown eyes crinkle in delight as she pushes her glasses on top of her head and smiles at Shae. “Nice to meet you.”
“Marta runs the show around here. She takes care of me and everything else.”
The older woman puts her arm around his waist. “Is tough job keeping up with this one, but he good boy. I keep eyes on him.”
Shae laughs and squeezes his hand, her touch flaming the need he tries to restrain. “I bet you do.”
“I make mandarin chicken salad for lunch. Come eat.” Marta edges Nick out of the way and wraps her arm around Shae’s shoulders, guiding her to the kitchen. “You too skinny. I feed you.”
He follows behind them, smiling at her keen perception of Shae’s significance to him. They wash their hands as Max comes in and sits down. “I’m starving. What do you have for us today?”
“Salad. Lots of good fruits and vegetables. Good for pooper!”
Max sputters and spits some of his drink on the kitchen table. “Damn, Marta, you’re ruining my appetite!”
“Is truth. Now eat!”
As they gather their bowls and glasses, Marta stacks up several cookbooks spread across the table, leaving them open to save her spots in them. Shae sits in the chair next to her and nods toward the books. “Are you making something special?”
“My church has, how you say, bazaar for kids. I make popcorn balls and caramel apples, but not sure what else.”
They talk about what treats to make and what kids like, Shae’s eyes dancing from their discussion of the ingredients required for build-your-own sundaes. Max raises his eyebrows. “I think Marta’s stealing your date.”
Unlike any other woman he’s brought home, she blends effortlessly into the relationships he has in his life. No pretentiousness or ego, just her soft-hearted nature charming the people who don’t easily impress.
After they finish eating, Max rummages through the refrigerator while Shae and Marta stand at the counter, poring over the cookbooks together. Containers fill the space around them from Max’s search. Marta looks up and gasps, swatting at him with her dishtowel. “Leave alone. That’s for dinner.”
Feigning mistreatment, Max rubs his stomach. “But I’m starving. All I’ve had today is yogurt, muffins, and salad. I need real food.”
“I make you sandwich. Now scooch.” She gives him a light push before opening the lids.
Nick stops scrolling through his phone. Max is right. They can’t survive on so little. “I’ll take one too.”
He smiles at the sweet sound of Shae’s laughter at their request for more food, giving him a tiny glimpse of the perfect life. Her joking around with him and Max, dreaming up treats with Marta to satisfy her sweet tooth. What it could be like with her here, bringing so much peace to his world. This could be his if he doesn’t fuck it up.
Shae’s buzzing phone interrupts their planning. She picks it up and laughs at the message on the screen. “Uh-oh, I’m in trouble. Carrie wants to know if I’m ever coming home.” She texts back, her face lit up as she types. Almost immediately, her cell buzzes again. She laughs again before holding it up for Nick to see.
WTF??????
Marta glances over from smothering mayo on her thick, homemade bread. “What is w-t-f?”
