Page 96 of Time To Learn

“I don’t know,” I hedge, “I haven’t spoken with him since yesterday.”

“Haven’t you?” Mum murmurs.

“No,” I grit my teeth as a traitorous blush creeps up myneck.

She releases my arm and nods brusquely atme.

“Well, text him, then. We did promise him food and board while he liveshere.”

My mind is screaming at me to wait, that I need more time until I see him again, but I can’t come up with a reason to refuse, so I take my phone and swipe the screen.

Me: Mum wants you to come over for breakfast.

Carefully, I place the phone on my thigh as I wait for him to reply

Kristian: I’d rather have your pussy for breakfast.

I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to mask my gasp with a cough. Quickly, I text himback.

Me: Hush. You’re beingbad.

It doesn’t take him long to reply.

Kristian: Oh, you have no idea how bad I can be, sweetheart. I can’t wait to show you. I’ll be with yousoon.

“He’s on his way,” I murmur to Mum and glance ather.

“Are you okay? You look a little flushed.”

I shake my head slowly at her teasing smile. She’s on to me. I just knowit.

“I’mfine.”

She winks at me and I can’t stop myself from rolling my eyes at her. While we wait for Kristian to arrive, I turn to Ailith, asking her about her book even though I can’t focus on her. As the seconds tick by, I wonder if I’ll be able to act natural aroundhim.

It dawns on me that despite him opening up to me yesterday, I still don’t know much about Kristian. The fact that, despite us having slept together, we’re practically strangers, makes me resolved to grill him a little bit. I can’t start a relationship with a man I hardly know, especially when there’s not just me to consider.

Ailith—she’s what matters to me. I can’t introduce a new man as my boyfriend without having some more information about him first. That would make me a bad mother—an irresponsible one—and I’ve vowed never to let her down again.

I’m not about to startnow.

* * *

Kristian

As I openthe back door to the kitchen, there’s a lightness in my heart that I haven’t felt in so long, but there’s a smidgen of nerves as well. I do my best to tamp them down, focussing on the only thing that matters—that I get to see Laura again sosoon.

While I doubt that she’s made up her mind about my wish to date her, I have to admit that I’ve missed her ever since she left me an hourago.

I couldn’t even fall asleep again, and that’s a first.

“Morning,” I rumble as I close the door and remove my boots. I doubt Wenn will look kindly on my dirty footwear if I don’t, and I know it’s important to get on good terms withher.

She stands up and nods in satisfaction, confirming my hunch.

“Good morning. Please, sit down, have some coffee. I’ll make some more toast.”

I nod in thanks and walk slowly towards Laura and Ailith. Both of them look at me from their seat at the long, wooden bench, and I wink at Laura as she nibbles on herlips.