Page 44 of Safer Alone
Elliot asks me many questions during the course of the following two hours. He shows me many of his ideas and asks for my thoughts on each item. We discuss the options for modernizing the bathroom and laundry. Bringing the electrical and plumbing up to code and keeping the reminder of the house the way it was. Just refinishing the floors, replacing drywall where needed, painting the walls, replacing light fittings.
“What are your plans for the house once it’s completed? Will you be selling it or keeping it?” I am hoping for an answer that will involve seeing him more.
“At this stage I’m going to keep it as a vacation home,” he replies. That is the response I have been hoping for and I smile. I know that he sees it. “It will give me somewhere to stay when I come visit you. Somewhere more comfortable and spacious than a hotel room.” And there it is, a confirmation that he is doing it all for me.
~ Chapter Twenty-Three ~
The remainder of the night goes by far too quickly. Especially when the hours are limited to begin with and confessions are being made about feelings. After we have finished discussing the house plans it was decided that we would watch a movie in the main living area. Around half an hour into ‘Pride and Prejudice’ Elliot fell asleep on the couch next to me. I snatched the throw from the armchair to my left and gently laid it over him.
I can just stay here beside him and finish the movie all the while watching him sleep, or I can leave him to sleep peacefully and make my escape, returning to the guest house. I think about my options for a good fifteen minutes or so before deciding that I should return to the guest house and leave him be.
I stand up and bend over his sleeping form to give him a kiss on the cheek. I know I am making the right decision when he doesn’t wake from my touch. I quickly exit the home the same way we had come in earlier and make my way across the patio and lawn to the guest house. I let myself in with the key Elliot had given me earlier in the day, lock the door behind me and quickly wander into the bedroom. I quickly undress and slip into my satin nightgown. Once dressed, I pad into the bathroom and brush my teeth, twice. I then rake a brush through my hair and make my way back into the bedroom.
I pull back the covers and slip in between the cotton sheets, into bed. I pick up my phone from the bedside table and quickly send Elliot a message. I don’t want him to worry when he wakes to find me missing.
<: You looked so adorable sleeping I couldn’t wake you. I’m back in the guest house now. Thank you for a wonderful evening. Angie x
I hit send and put my phone back down on the bedside table. Turning off the lamp and rolling over. Replaying all of the moments from today. Why is it that every day spent with Elliot is full of surprises? I just can’t think of there ever being a dull day when in his company. I have to admit that I love it. Settling on my standout memories of the day, the kissing. I settle into the feather pillow, awaiting sleep to take me.
I wake to the smell of toast cooking. As I open my eyes, I can see the sun is starting to shine through the blinds. Immediately noticing that I was not in my own apartment. I panic for a moment before remembering where I am. I’m safe in Elliot’s guest house.
I throw the covers back from myself and hop out of bed. Wandering out into the kitchen, there is Elliot, standing before the toaster, staring at it. He looks up when I enter the room. He must have heard the bedroom door open or my feet on the timber floor. “Good morning beautiful.” He walks around the island counter toward me and gives me a soft kiss on the cheek.
It was only then that I remember I am only wearing a nightgown. A nightgown that, although it covers my body, is also just that. One piece of fabric, with only panties on underneath. I look down toward my chest to see that my nipples had also realized that I was not alone and had decided to make themselves visible. I feel so self-conscious that I automatically raise my arms to hug them around the top of my arms, covering my traitorous breasts.
It appears Elliot isn’t looking at my nightgown. Just my face, for which I feel immediately appreciative. “I’m making you toast.” He shrugs and looks shy. “I’m not a good cook. So if you want something else, I can get Andrew to rustle us up something” he says.
I have to admit that this is incredibly sweet. Cooking me breakfast. Even if it is just toast. “Sounds delicious. I’ll just quickly go freshen up and I’ll be right back”. I turn around and walk as fast as I can back into the sanctuary of the bedroom. I rifle through my bag and grab my cardigan out. quickly putting it on. This at least covered my top half. Ducking into the bathroom, I throw my hair into a messy bun and wipe the sleep from the corners of my eyes, deciding brushing my teeth would be a bit much, especially when I was about to eat. I rinse quickly with mouthwash.
Returning to the living area, I wander into the kitchen and open the fridge. Inside I see that it is almost completely stocked with eggs, milk, cheese, butter, cream, bacon, and some other items that I wouldn’t need.
“I can make some scrambled eggs for us if you like?” I look towards Elliot. “You think you can handle the toast?” I ask with a smile across my face.
He nods in response. A smile spreading across his lips. “That I can do”. I start collecting the ingredients from the fridge and placing them on the countertop. I collect a knife and whisk from the drawer beside the sink and then a cutting board from its rack on the counter beside the stove. I then look into the large pantry cupboard that doubled as storage for the larger kitchen items and find a mixing bowl along with a frypan. With everything laid out in front of me I am ready to go.
I cut the bacon into thin strips before dicing them and whisk the eggs together with cream, adding a small amount of salt and pepper. I add some oil to the frypan and await it to heat before tossing in the bacon and cooking it until it is nice and crispy. Next, I pour the egg mixture in with the bacon, stirring all the time to ensure it doesn’t stick, creating scrambled eggs as opposed to an omelet. When it is almost completely cooked, I add some grated mozzarella cheese, giving it the chance to melt through.
“Elliot. Could you please grab two plates for me?” I ask.
He must have been anticipating being asked this question, as he places two warm plates next to me within a couple of seconds. “I’ve got you covered, baby.” I place an even amount of the scrambled egg and bacon mixture onto each plate. Elliot then places a piece of buttered toast on each. We collect our plates and take them to the opposite side of the island and prepare ourselves to sit down at the breakfast bar.
“I forgot the orange juice” Elliot jumps up, barely having sat down and walks to the fridge and retrieves the bottle. He pulls out two glasses from one of the overhead cupboards and pours us each a glass. After placing the orange juice back in the refrigerator, he wanders back over toward where I sit and places a glass down in front of my plate. He then takes his seat beside me, picks up his cutlery, forks some scrambled egg onto the bread and takes a bite.
“Mmmhmmm” I hear him murmur. “That’s good, Angie.” He gives me a pat on the shoulder.
I smile to myself. “I’m glad you like it.” It’s only scrambled eggs, I think to myself. It is good to be complimented on my cooking, especially when I’m not that good of a cook myself. I must remember to thank Liam for showing me this easy breakfast recipe. We both eat quietly. When we have finished, he grabs both of our plates and cutlery and takes them to the sink. He rinses them, then places them into the dishwasher, along with our now empty glasses and the many items we used to cook with, adds a dishwashing tablet and turns it on.
“So, what did you want to do today?” He asks. Truth be told, I have no idea what to do today. And I sure as hell don’t know what there is to do around his neighborhood. It is his weekend and he had invited me, maybe I should ask if he has made any plans?
“I’m not sure. Do you have any ideas?” I ask.
“We can go out if you like and do some sightseeing? Or we can go do some shopping if you would prefer?” He offers.
“You want to go shopping? Like for clothes?” I ask. I don’t know a male alive who enjoys shopping.
“I would be happy with either one. I could probably get some new clothes if you wanted to go to the shops?” He was leaving it up to me.
I didn’t really have enough money to buy any new clothes, but I do need to get a postcard for James. “Sure, Sounds good. We can grab some lunch while we’re out,” I suggest.
