Page 16 of Touch Me

What the hell was that?

Maybe I ate something bad today.

“See, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Your first lesson, validating someone else’s feelings, even when you don’t feel it’s necessary.”

“Great, can we be done for the day?” I run my hands over my face, desperate for a second without stimulation. Just one second of darkness. “This is exhausting.”

“Sure, why don’t you finish your workout, and I’ll start dinner.” She heaves a box from the end of her bed to the floor and pushes it into the closet, glancing at me over her shoulder. “And from now on, I’ll make sure we aren’t in the gym at the same time.”

I take a step closer to her, to... what? Prove I’m not scared? That I’m a man? I don’t even know. “You don’t have to do that. I was an asshole. It was just too much, too fast. I’m fine with it, really. Besides, how is that really going to help me?”

She pops her head out of the closet door. “Only if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure. And I was serious before.” I back myself toward the door. “You don’t have to cook for me. I’m used to eating out.”

“Well, I’m not. I’ve never had money to eat out, and I’m used to cooking. So we can compromise.” She comes out of the closet, dusting off her hands. “I’ll cook during the week, and we can eat out on the weekends. Deal?”

“Deal. But only if you come back to the gym and finish your workout.”

She nods. “Deal.”

We both head back up to the gym, and I only have one thought in my head.

How did I go from not wanting to look at her to begging her to stay?

I’m so fucked.

SIX

WE NEVER HAD DESSERT

After a quick workoutin the gym, with Jace doing his thing and me doing mine, I take a quick shower and head straight for the kitchen. Damn, this is amazing. Even though I’m still wholly uncomfortable here, I’m damn sure going to love using this kitchen.

I gather some ingredients for a simple stir-fry and set to work. With all I need laying out in front of me, I start chopping vegetables as Jace walks in, fresh from the shower. I hope the deep breath I inhale goes unnoticed. Jesus, he smells good.

Concentrate, Cass. Before you lose a finger.

Out of the corner of my eye, Jace sits silently at his makeshift desk in the dining room, staring out the window and doodling on a desk calendar. Every so often, his head turns toward me for a quick glance and back to his desk. I stifle a grin and pretend not to notice.

This has to be weird for him. Someone who doesn’t even like people now having to share his space. The least I could do is tame down the attitude and do as he asks. Help him with his people skills.

“You hungry?” I ask, without lifting my head.

He turns fully toward me. “Starving, actually.”

“You want to help?”

“Uh, I have no skills in the kitchen whatsoever. I’m basically an independent toddler.”

“Cute.” I smile when he walks over and meets my eyes. “Come over here. I can show you some basics.”

He slowly makes his way to stand next to me.

I nod toward the sink. “Wash your hands.”

He spreads his hands in front of me so I can inspect them. “But I just took a shower.”

With the knife, I point to the dining room. “And then you sat at your desk. You ever sneeze or cough over there? Rule number one, wash your hands.”

---