Page 29 of Sparks Fly
“Not feeling a wine?”
“I always feel a wine, but I dunno… bit early in the day, isn’t it?”
“it’s five o’clock somewhere, darling.” She winks before a bubble of a laugh escapes her.
Saying our goodbyes,she walks down the alley, and I move to the left and towards my apartment. I wanted to explore tomorrow, and as much as it has been lovely spending the last couple of days with Rue, I promised myself this holiday was for me. She would understand. I haven’t glossed over the details of why I am here and what happened, but at the same time I don’t want to dwell on it.
Royce broke up with me. He wanted to focus on his career. I got it. He didn’t want me anymore.
His career was more important and rightly so. He was competing for world champion, and he wasn’t going to do that with me by his side. We had a good run; he was kind and funny and never treated me unkind. My lips turn at the corners as I walk into the apartment building, ducking my head as Alexandre greets me. I feel rude ignoring him, but I’m deep in my feelings.
I know I wanted to do this, know I need a break but also felt on edge. Maybe more so because I was now sharing an apartment with my ex’s dad.
Not ideal, but here we are.
Stepping into the waiting lift, I sigh heavily as we begin travelling up and within minutes, I am footing down the hallway towards the penthouse. Swiping the key card through the lock, I push the door open and find soft music filling the large space—Forever and Ever and Always – Ryan Mack.Placing my bags in the hallway, I push the door closed behind me.
Walking quietly, I creep around the corner and see him standing there, hovering over the oven as he sautés something in the frying pan.
I glance at the time; it’s just past one. I place my hand on the work surface and watch him. He is singing softly, tapping his foot as he pushes whatever he is cooking in the pan.
My lips twitch into a smile and I take this moment to let my eyes skate over the back of him. His blonde hair tucks under at the nape of his neck. It’s thick and wavy and the want to curl my fingers into the tuft at the base of his neck is overwhelming. He is tall, maybe around six-foot-seven, towers over my small five-foot-four.
A tee wraps around his back, his muscles rippling underneath with any kind of movement. His arms are curved and toned, prominent veins presenting their selves as he tightens his grip on the handle of the pan, lifting it from the gas for a moment and using his other hand to push the spatula through the contents. My eyes drift a little lower to the jeans that fit to his legs like skin. Thick thighs, round ass, I feel wrong for even checking him out.
Snapping out of my moment of weakness, I twist a little too quickly and knock the kitchen roll holder over, the bang clattering around the room.
He trails his eyes over his shoulder, a smile creeping onto his face as he sweeps his gaze over me.
“Anaïs.” His voice is soft as he pushes something on his phone which cuts the music in an instant.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt…” I pause, my hand moving out as I wave it in front of me. “Whatever this is.”
“Me cooking dinner?” He turns the gas off and then twists to face me, furrowed brows etched into that beautiful face of his.
“Yes,”
“You’re not interrupting.” He nods, eyes burning into mine.
“Okay,” I say quietly before dipping my head, eyes on the floor as I move back towards the door for my bag.
“You hungry?”
I was. But I didn’t want to be a burden.
“No.” I give him a tight smile, lifting my bag onto my shoulder and keeping my head down before I am in my room.
Flopping onto my bed, I let out my breath. It was just a week; I could get through this.
Then, he will go back home and follow Royce around and I will be left here, by myself, to have the break I so desperately craved.
Turning my head to the side, I look out at the large window, the sea in the distance brings a small smile to my face.
I wanted to walk along the beach, feel the sand beneath my feet and the warm Mediterranean water between my toes.
It’s the little things.
Rolling my head back around, my eyes are back on the ceiling. I couldn’t stay in this room forever.
