Page 30 of Fate In Fiction

Don’t go through the trouble. I’ll aim for eight.

Josie:

k noted see you later

Setting my phone aside, I dive right into emails and finish out the rest of the day hyper focused. Pride comes over me as I check the clock and realize how much I accomplished in the last few hours. Heading to the office early this morning wasn’t as terrible as I imagined. I can actually enjoy dinner and the evening with someone other than being alone in my suite. If I can keep my body shut off from reacting to her little remarks and looks, having a roommate sounds enjoyable.

Stepping into the suite, a potent burn hits my nose.

“How was your day?” Josie catches my attention in the kitchen, washing a large pan.

“Did you cook?” I can’t place what the burning smell is, but it’s not from a candle being blown out. “Or try to?”

“Tried would be correct.” Her bashful smile turns her bare face red. “I found a recipe, and it looked simple enough.” She shuts the water off and dries her hands on her oversized shirt. My eyes try to stay above the hemline. “I tried to make quesadillas, but wanted to have them ready quicker than the stated time. Turns out they just become charcoal and the cheese doesn’t melt faster on high heat.” Her shrug raises the hem of her oversized chunky knit sweater, exposing more of her thighs.

“Maybe stick to peanut butter and jelly so you don’t burn the place down?” I say to the exposed skin. Collecting my thoughts, I bring my eyes back to hers. Thankfully, she doesn’t chew my ass out for the obvious ogling.

“Growing up with an in-house chef has really made me feel incompetent.” Her head turns toward the stove as she sighs in defeat. “Maybe I’m not cut out for this independence if I can’t even follow a recipe that the blogger’s eight-year-old son loves to make by himself.” Her arms wrap around her body, and I feel myself step forward, placing my hands on her delicate shoulders.

“I’m proud of you, Josie.” Her cheeks suck in, and I can tell I’ve struck an emotional chord. “You are going after what you want. Everyone learns at a different pace.” She nods. “Let’s make a quesadilla together.” I pick up the pan from the hand towel.

“I’d rather observe you instead.”

“Then grab a wrap and some cheese.” I set the pan on the stove, shrug off my jacket, and loosen my tie before undoing the top buttons of my shirt. “How hungry are you?” I turn toward the fridge as Josie bumps into me with the ingredients in her hands.

“Umm…” She’s eye level with my chest, zoning in on part of the exposed ink. Her mouth slightly parts and her deep breathing hits my skin, sending blood straight to my cock. Her wide eyes and innocent looking face entice me to kiss her again, to prove just how attracted I know she is to me. My gaze is clear of my intentions as I stand an inch away and debate lifting her onto the counter. A flash of reluctance whips across her face.

“Josie?” Keeping my voice level, I take a step back. “What are you thinking about?” I mentally scream at myself to not act on impulse.

Her eyes trail up to mine. “Teach me.” A soft half-smirk greets her face as she lifts the ingredients to her chest.

For fuck’s sake. Her ability to control every moment and spin it to toy with me is becoming maddening. And we are only on day two of living together. I blink, breaking our moment, and turn to the stove. At a loss for words, the gentlemanly ones, I mime what to do. Turning the stovetop to medium heat, I point. I continue the rest of the process in silence as she relaxes against the counter with the occasional nod.

“Bravo.” She claps as I slide the perfect quesadilla onto a plate. “When did you learn to cook?”

“I wouldn’t call this cooking, per se.” I smile, appreciating that even though my family has more than enough money, our mother still made sure we knew how to take care of ourselves without relying on others. “My family ate homecooked meals together each night.”

“It sounds like your parents aren’t as terrible as you say.”

“They aren’t,” I muse, knowing how hands on they have been in raising us. “If it wasn’t for that conversation I heard as a child, I’d––” I cut myself off, getting too carried away in the moment.

“You’d?” Her eyebrows raise as she picks up a cheesy triangle and takes a bite.

“Don’t push it, Josie.” Shaking my head, I reach for a slice of the quesadilla. “I have my reasons for my past and why I’m in this situation.

“Come on, you know the surface level of why I want out.”

“It goes deeper?” No fucking way.

“I don’t wanna talk about that either.” A lost look hollows out her expression before she glances down at the plate. “Eat up. I’m not hungry anymore.” She tucks a bit of hair behind her ear.

“Let’s go for a night drive.” I hold a lightened tone in my voice, suddenly needing nothing more than to cheer her up. “Let’s get out of this town for a little night adventure.”

“I’m always up for leaving this town.” She smiles as her eyes fall to my hand that’s unbuttoning more of my crisp white shirt.

“I just need to change first,” I say as Josie nods, keeping her eyes focused on my chest, but has yet to ask about my tattoos. “You might want to put some pants on. It’s chilly.”

“Right.” She turns, and I follow her down the hallway, walking past her door to mine.