Page 22 of Anyone And You

CHAPTER THIRTEEN - AXEL

SHE WAS EVEN more beautiful when she slept.

That last orgasm had put her down. She’d fallen asleep almost immediately after I’d pulled out of her. I’d wrapped her in her blanket and decided to make her a snack while she slept.

Des had four things in her fridge: wine, salsa, cheese, and chicken.

I smiled at that. The tortillas in her cabinet caught my eye, so I cranked up her oven and made cheese quesadillas. I had a few things in my apartment that would have made them better. Once they were cooked, I turned the oven off and left them in the warming tray before stepping across the hall. Des was still asleep; for how long, I wasn’t sure, but I figured I had enough time to grab a few things.

My apartment was minimalistic, not full of the fall decorations as she had. I barely had furniture other than the basics, but food…

I had food.

I decided I’d take Koko, my German Shepherd, out for a quick walk and take a quick shower while I was there. I could still smell the carnival on me. Dirt, sweat, and sex. I hoped she was still asleep when I returned and didn’t think I’d left her entirely.

Koko was asleep on the couch when I entered.

“Hey, lady,” I said as she slowly rose off the couch and stretched her limbs. I smiled at the old girl and gave her fluffy cheeks a scratch before getting her leash on, and then we took a couple of turns outside around the block.

When we returned, Koko took her treat—as usual—and curled back in her favorite spot, leaving me to chuckle at her and then take a quick shower.

Changing into sweatpants and a white tee, I grabbed my baseball hat and sat it backward on my head before grabbing sour cream, hot sauce, beer, and lettuce and then heading over to Des’s place again.

The door was locked.

I frowned and knocked. “Des?” I called for her.

A shadow moved beneath the door before it swung open. She looked surprised to see me there.

“I thought you’d left,” she said, her voice smaller than I was used to.

“You were asleep,” I said. “Koko needed to piss. And—“ I held up the ingredients in my hands “—I thought I’d make us food and take a shower.”

She eyed the things in my hands before stepping aside to let me in. I laid the extra stuff I’d brought over on the counter, still watching her closely. “What is it?” I asked.

“Nothing,” she said before stepping up to me and kissing my cheek. “I think I’ll shower too.”

She stalked away before I could say anything else, leaving me confused, but I didn’t press it.

As she showered, I took the quesadillas out of the oven and began prepping our makeshift feast. I’d nearly finished when I heard her come out of the bedroom again, and I had to stop cutting the lettuce as I saw her.

She was wearing pink silk shorts and a snug white tee that showed off her midsection. Her mulberry hair had been brushed, her makeup tidied up, but still smudged a little at the creases of her eyes. She could have walked out of there with sopping wet hair and makeup running down her face, and I’d have still thought her the most beautiful thing to walk this earth.

But dammit, I really liked those shorts.

“Did you ever eat tonight?” she asked.

“I didn’t,” I replied.

She stepped beside me, her arm brushing mine as she observed the food. “I didn’t know you were a chef,” she said.

“I know my way around a kitchen,” I replied. “And you barely had food in the fridge.”

“That’s because I keep the cabinets stocked with other fun things that are easy to grab on the go—“ She went to her pantry and opened it up, revealing a slew of easy prep meals, snacks, and oatmeal.

I frowned at her definition of food. “We have to get you fresh food,” I said.

Her lips twisted like she was fighting a smile. “Are you going to make it for me?”

---