Page 80 of Hell Hath No Fury
"Yeah?" she questions.
"Oh yeah. I didn't get to tell you that last time," I admit.
"I don't think I'd have taken it too kindly. We were in a different place then," she tells me.
"It was a week ago."
"A lot can happen in a week."
I chuckle and wrap an arm around her, pulling her to me. "That's the truth."
She takes my beer and I don't mind. I lead her over to where the other is sitting on the island in the middle of the kitchen and take that one.
"Pizza should be here any minute," I inform her.
"Good. I'm hungry." She takes a long pull from her beer. "And, apparently, thirsty. I'm going to grab a water and drink that first. Is that okay?"
She's already opened the refrigerator door and untwisting the top when she looks up at me, waiting for an answer.
"You don't have to ask. Ever. Just take what you want."
"Hmm," she says as she chugs the water. She really was thirsty.
"Maybe I should drink some water, too. Keep hydrated."
She hands me a bottle when she walks back over. "Are you opposed to eating pizza in bed?"
I smirk. "Not at all. I plan to eat you in bed after the pizza."
She blushes a bit.
"I told you. You're dessert."
"I look forward to it."
She leans into me and it feels natural, like we've been doing this forever.
"I'm having a good time with you, Derrick."
"You sound surprised."
"No, just… surprised about the waiting thing," she admits.
I nod. "I could see that. Communication is key."
She nods in return. The doorbell rings.
"That'll be the pizza."
"I'll grab the drinks and meet you in bed."
I make my way to the front door and pay for the pizza, giving the delivery guy a hefty tip. I delivered pizza during college when my dad held my trust fund hostage, telling me it was for my own good to learn the value of a dollar. He wasn't wrong, but he didn't have to be such an asshole when he told me. But that's my dad. An asshole who's always treated me as if I weren't good enough.
I'm more than good enough.
I lock the door and head back to the bedroom and pause in the doorway. There she sits. Audra. In my bed. She braced the pillows against the headboard for us. She's leaning back, her eyes closed, a soft smile gracing her lips.
She opens her eyes when she senses me.
