Page 62 of The Captive Missing

“When they give me a new girl,” Charlie murmured, eyes flicking up to her briefly. “We usually get a few days to get to know each other. Then we’re supposed to sleep together at least once a day for about a week.”

“You stay here?”

“I stay here, or I might come and go depending on the girl.”

“Why all of this?” Val gestured to the apartment, to its luxuries. “It’s not necessary.”

“Ever heard the expression: you get more flies with honey than vinegar?”

Val paused, brow furrowed. Charlie huffed a laugh.

“Pregnancy is a tricky thing. Cambric found more women get pregnant when they’re relaxed and happy than when they’re locked up in Isolation. Imagine that.”

“I see.” Val picked up her glass of wine and sipped from it deliberately.

They resumed eating.

Despite her nerves, the rich food of a home-cooked meal took over Val’s senses. Closing her eyes, her thoughts wandered to so many meals shared with Jason in this exact way. The quiet clinking of silverware, the slow progression of tastes and textures, the heat of alcohol as it flowed through her blood. After a while her stomach groaned in full complaint, and she regretted having consumed so much. She pushed her chair back from the table and sighed.

“Who does the dishes?” Val asked.

“We do.”

Standing at the sink, Charlie scrubbed the dirty plates with soap, while Val rinsed and dried. With the water running on full, and the sound of the dishes clattering together, they whispered.

“What happens at the end of two or three days when we haven’t slept together?” Val asked.

“I don’t know, it’s never happened.” Charlie paused before adding. “But I can imagine it won’t be pleasant.”

“What are we going to do?”

“Well, I think we should try to stretch it out as long as possible.”

“How do you suggest we do that?”

“Let me wine and dine you for a few days. Pretend like it’s working. Maybe we’ll get extra time because it’s you.”

“Then what?”

“Then I don’t know. We’ll just have to face it when it comes.”

“Charlie-” Val lay her head on his shoulder, arms next to his in the sink. “I’m so sorry this is happening to you.”

“It’s happening to you too, Val. It’s happening to you, too.”

* * *

After the dishes had been put away, Charlie directed Val to the bathroom where he turned on the tub. The faucet flowed with hot water. Steam danced in the air. He kept adding bubbles until they overflowed down the sides and onto the white tile floor.

Val undressed and climbed in, then carefully sank down until her entire head was submerged. Pushing back up, she blew out a breath and reclined with her eyes closed. How long had it been since she had experienced such a pleasure? Hot water. She swore as long as she lived she’d never take it for granted again.

On a sigh she opened her eyes and turned her head to look out the open door. Charlie leaned against the frame, arms folded comfortably across his chest. He smiled at her easily, then rapped his knuckles on the doorframe before lifting a book in the air and waving it side to side. Val’s eyes lit with a mixture of surprise and amusement. They even had books to read down here, amazing.

“They’re still censored.” Charlie walked over and handed her the paperback. “But it’s better than nothing right?”

“Yeah.” Val gripped the book with damp fingers. “You know, you’re really good at this.”

“Thank you.” He winked playfully before turning to go, then hesitated at the doorway, his face turned to one side. “I’m glad I get to do it for you.”

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