Chapter 41

But any drop of sleep I had was now gone, I stared at the ceiling that I could hardly see due to the dark, and then I devised a way to get my mind off things.

I was in a house with a state of the art kitchen, and I had gotten an invitation to cook at a classy restaurant. I had to practice my culinary skills. So I woke up, put on some actual clothes that did not smell like him, and made my way to the kitchen. 

That was a place of magic as far as I was concerned. Each shelf I opened revealed something new. And for someone who knew nothing about cooking, he sure did have a stack of spices and ingredients. I was like a kid in a candy store. And my mind went on overdrive as I tried to decide on what to cook,I could have made everything in my head but I feared it would inevitably go to waste. Gabriel hardly ate in the house and Arden was rarely around. 

And it was morning, so I decided to just calm down a bit and bake instead. Different flavoured cupcakes and cookies. And maybe even a pie or two. Washing my hands, I got started, playing some music on my phone at low volume.

I created a sort of easy flow. I could move from one task to another effortlessly. Beat eggs here and whisk more over there, knead dough while stuffing a couple of pies. Place something in the oven and take something out. 

It was a simple system, I had been cooking for pretty much all my life and I could make something good despite the mood I was in. 

I worried that I had gotten a bit too excited, because there was no way three people could eat sixteen cupcakes, and there was a chance Arden wouldn't be coming back soon. But I was planning on visiting Cassie later on, so I'd just carry some over to her. 

Smiling at the thought, I turned around to head to the oven,then I came face to face with his blue grey eyes. 

He was leaning against the doorway, hands tucked in the pockets of his black sweats. His chest bare and this look of contemplation on his features. Since meeting him I had seen that look about two times now. The first time was the first time I saw him, on the highway. And the second time had been last night during the party. It wasn't like his normally lustful glance. It held more to it.

And I feared that I might have been reading too much into things. Besides, he didn't even remember me from the highway, otherwise he would have brought it up already. And each time I thought about that I got a little sad. But I never let myself ponder on that fact. 

                       🌼💮🌼💮🌼💮

Layla. Sweet innocent Layla. 

And when I say sweet I mean it literally. I could lick her all day and never get satisfied. Have her as a staple dish for the rest of my life if possible. She tasted better than I had ever expected. And now all I want to do is place her on that countertop, spread her wide and devour her all over again. 

And then afterwards I want to hold her tight against me and make sure she never...oh Jesus bloody Christ I'm going mad!

Shaking away those stupid thoughts, I try and simply view things from a physical point of view. Because that's what this is. 

PURELY PHYSICAL!!

But she looks so goddamned cute in her pink pajama pants and white t-shirt. And her hair Is still up in the chignon, only this time it looks a lot less elegant. And once I recall why it's all ruined I can't help but smirk. She's baking, I notice how expertly she moves. One would think that she's spent all her life in that kitchen since she's already mastered where everything is. And the house smells all heavenly and sweet. Like a bakery of sorts. I used to have this nanny when I was about four, angry old lady, but every once in a while I'd wake up to the smell of cookies. I never ate them since she looked like a villain from a film and I feared dying due to food poisoning at such an early age, but I did always love how homey the house smelt.

And at that instant, that feeling came back multiplied a hundred times over. 

She stopped on noticing my presence. And I noticed something, there was no shocked gasp, no little shriek of surprise. Her eyes did slightly widen but that was about it. And that meant she was getting used to having me around. Her fear was washing away slowly by slowly.

" Morning, " she said with a smile, continuing with her work afterwards. I made my way into the kitchen and headed for a stack of cookies on a tray.

" Morning sweetheart, I see you're quite in your spirits today, " 

Picking up a cookie, I went to take a bite, but she immediately stopped me before it got to my lips. 

" Careful! " she shouted,and I was a little perplexed.

" Don't tell me there's weed in these delicacies of yours. If so I'm definitely willing to give them a try, " I joked and she shook her head. 

" They're still hot. Just be careful, "

Oh bloody hell! She needed to stop being so caring and sweet. Blowing on the cookie, I took a small bite, my eyes still on hers. That was one of the best cookies I had had in my life. All warm and moist and just the right amount of sweet. Kind of like the baker herself. 

My eyes closed and I made this sound of approval from the back of my throat. 

" You like it?"

" I'd trade both my mothers for another one of these, " I seriously stated. 

She frowned the same way she always did whenever I said something she regarded as obnoxious. Then she shrugged, her lips pursed innocently as she continued with her baking. 

She mentioned something about wanting to go visit that blonde event planner friend of hers. Cassie Adams, age twenty three, lives with her boyfriend on the Cagelink Avenue on twelve, favorite color is apparently mustard. I agree, that is definitely not a color. And yes, I know everything about her as well. It's not stalking, I just like to stay informed. What if I pass by a store one day and see a really cute mustard colored dress, I'd definitely want Layla to tell her about it. 

I offer Layla my help and she refused so fast I feel a little offended and hurt by the denial. 

" What? You don't trust me? "

Gritting her teeth all apologetically, she waves around the kitchen, gesturing to all her progress, then she says, " It's not that. I just want everything to turn out good... and unburnt...and edible...no offense though, "

I couldn't help it, I laughed. The action surprising her into giggles of her own. Raising my hand up in a gesture of peace, I told her it was okay, I did have this brilliant idea to stuff the cookies in the pie and fill the pie with cupcake frosting but I didn't bring it up. Clearly not everyone appreciated creativity. So I brewed myself some coffee, and headed to the counter stools to sit and continue enjoying the view. She served me two pieces of mixed berry pie after I did so and asked me to eat it all. 

And I'm certain that even if I had been full, I would have made an effort to do just that. I would have done anything to see that smile on her face. 

When she was done, she cleaned up and packed everything, placing them in the fridge before pouring herself some mango juice and heading for the living space. She had also grabbed a cookie. Just one. 

I followed her of course, taking my coffee and pie slices along with me. And the first thing that caught both our attention the second we stepped into the room was her dressed. Lying in the middle of the floor. She stopped to stare at it, and I walked to stand beside her, noticing the shade of crimson on her cheek, her bra was somewhere in the elevator if my guess was correct. Smiling, I placed the mug and plate on the coffee table and picked the dress up. I had thoughts of keeping it for myself as a reminder of the first night we'd spent together, but I feared she might think that was odd. In the serial killer sort of way. So instead I brought the fabric to my nose and breathed it in. The strawberry scent flooding into my veins, coursing into my bloodstream and making my skin hot. 

She was staring at me in that peculiar way of hers. As if she was always trying to figure me out but each time was unsuccessful.

Smirking, I placed the dress on the armrest of the leather couch and proceeded to take my sit.