Chapter 12 — Oh-la-la 

We headed to his car and he unlocked the door.

He walked to the other side and got in, then opened my side of the car.

I paused, torn between abandoning this madness and getting in.

“Get in, Rosie.” Henry said, staring at me strangely.

I scoffed, but decided to go with the latter.

The door slammed shut.

I glanced at Henry, then away.

Wait a minute.

I blinked fast, frowning in confusion then I looked at him again.

“What are you doing?” I asked, sceptically.

He stared back at me with confusion, 

“What do you mean?” He asked, already taking off his suit jacket.

He pulled it off, along with his tie then moved to—

I ripped my eyes away so fast I was sure I heard a crack.

“Seriously, what are you doing, Henry?” I screeched.

“What do you mean, Rosie? I'm just taking off my clothes.”

“I'm in the freaking car…” I said, voice unhinged. “Why are you taking your clothes off while I'm in the car?”

“What kind of a question is that? This suit is causing me so much heat and your freaking school doesn't have a working air conditioner.”

“Well…”

“What are you being flustered about?”

Fucking asshole.

I peeped from between my fingers, tensing.

My gaze slowly trailed down his body—he was clad in a black singlet.

Sweet baby Jesus.

I licked my lips, eyes locked on the tattoo trailing down his muscly arms as they flexed slightly.

“All done.” He said, exhaling in relief.

Then he started the car, pulling out of the driveway, then onto the road.

The drive was quiet, painfully so.

Tense.

Awkward.

Or maybe it was just me.

I glanced at Henry from the corner of my eye, he had his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

“Are you hungry?” He asked.

“Yeah I guess…” I murmured.

“Your mum sent me a text earlier, she said she'd be at a friend's place.”

Oh no…

“So… I was thinking maybe there's something in particular you like to eat. I'll cook.”

“When's mum coming back?”

He glanced at me briefly, then back to the road.

His tongue darted out, wetting his bottom lip.

“Tomorrow.”

Fuck.

******

I pushed the door open, and walked in, heading into the kitchen to drop the groceries.

I felt him before I saw him.

So close…

He stood behind me, pulling open the top drawer.

“You can come help me once you're done taking your bath.” He muttered, softly.

Was it me or did his voice sound a bit off?

“O-okay.” I squeaked, ducking under his arm then I rushed to my room upstairs.

Once in, I slammed the door shut, leaning on it.

“Get your shit together, Rosie.”

(But why do you need to?)

My mind shot back.

(You're all alone, Rosie. And it's obvious you have some effect on him too.)

“But he's engaged to mum.” 

(And so what if he is? You want him don't you.)

I shook my head in disagreement.

“I can't do that…” I chanted.

(Yes you can, and you will. Now take your bath, put on your sexy girl attire and get your perfect ass down there.)

“Alright!” I clapped loudly, with a renewed smile on my face.

“Are you okay in there, Rosie.” Henry's voice came from downstairs.

“I'm cool!” I shouted back, then took off my uniform and headed to the bathroom.

…….

Thirty minutes later, I headed downstairs to the kitchen.

“Thank goodness you're here Rosie,” Henry said, fiddling with the frying pan.

I walked closer with a coy smirk, he had his back towards me so he hadn't noticed yet.

“Do you mind helping me with the—” 

He turned towards me, blinking in surprise.

Time to act, Rosie.

I rushed forward, feigning obliviousness.

“What can I help with?” I asked.

He cleared his throat loudly, then turned back to the task at hand.

“Err… I was-I…” he stuttered.

I blinked, staring at him with innocence written all over my features.

“With what?” I asked.

“I-I uhh…” he scratched his neck softly, eyes zipping around the room, as he tried desperately to stare anywhere but me.

“Are you alright, Henry? You look quite… flustered.” I said, referring to the red tinge on his ears.

“I am…” he closed his eyes briefly, then opened them. “I'm fine, Rosie. I suddenly felt light-headed.”

Indeed.

“Please, help me pull the pie out of the oven.”

“On it.” I said, putting on mittens, then I opened the oven…

“Henry, I need a hand here!” I called.

He rushed over, sucking in a deep breath when his eyes landed on my jutting ass.

But he kept his distance.

Just a little more, Rosie.

“Is everything alright?” Henry asked, voice tight.

“Yeah… it seems stuck.” I said, acting like I was trying to pull the pie out.

Don't rush, Rosie. We're almost there.

I wonder what a gentleman like him would do in this situation.

Maybe I knew already—of course I did… I've been watching him for years after all.

He shifted a bit closer.

I smirked in triumph, then pushed a lever behind the counter and—

Voila.

“Shit!” Henry screeched, hands fumbling to catch the objects that began falling from the top drawer…

All this, in an attempt to save little Rosie from having a potential concussion.

How honorable.

“Is everything alright there Henry?”

“Yeah, it’s fine…” he said, mid-struggle with the opened drawer. “Just focus on what you're doing—”

“I think it just came off.”

I pushed back, dragging the pie with me and just as I planned.

“Ooff.” 

My ass connected with his groin.

Oh-la-la.

You're just where I wanted you to be…

Henry.