Chapter Five

Everett

I arrive outside Aubrey’s home. Although she said she wouldn’t, I’m sure she’ll answer the door. I have brought ingredients with me to make salmon linguine. I parked and walked up the street to her building. Luckily, as I arrive, someone is already heading on. I slip in behind them. That worked well because if I had to buzz up. Aubrey might not even let me into the building.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with us having dinner together. My brother doesn’t need to know. Aubrey is overreacting to the whole situation. I knocked insistently on her apartment door. I pause, and when she doesn’t reply, I try again, more loudly. She will answer if she doesn’t want her neighbours to start complaining about all of the noise.  

After three attempts, the door opened to reveal an angry Aubrey glaring at me.

“Why can’t you take no for an answer? You shouldn’t be here.”

I shrug. “I don’t follow the rules, baby girl,” I smirk.

“You aren’t leaving, are you?” she scoffs, rolling her eyes.

“Nope.”

She moves aside, shaking her head, to let me enter. I smirked as I went inside. I always manage to get exactly what I want. Aubrey shuts the door and then turns towards me. I step into her, and she moves backwards, her back to the door. She swallows hard at the closeness.

“Are you a fan of salmon?” I inquire.

With a nod, she confirms, “Yes.”

“That’s great. I’m making salmon linguine.”

As I move back, she releases her breath in a puff. I wink, vanish, and head to her kitchen. It’s easy for me to find. It is a decent size since the apartment is. I immediately start working, and Aubrey arrives shortly after.

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Yes, you can pour us each some wine. After, you can sit and look pretty, watching the master at work.” I say confidently.

I cook incredibly well.

“Yes, boss.” She snickers.

Oh, a laugh. We are making progress. She poured each of us a glass from the bottle I brought. A smaller one for herself. Maybe she isn’t much of a drinker. She hands one to me before she scurries off to sit down. I take a sip of my drink and continue to prep.

I can feel Aubrey’s eyes on me, watching every move. I smirk to myself. She is checking me out. I glance over my shoulder at her, and she quickly pulls her gaze away.

“Come here.”

Her head shoots up, looking at me again. “Why?”

Raising an eyebrow, I pat the counter beside the oven. Though hesitant, she stands and walks over, leaping onto the counter.

I smirk, “Good girl.”

My words caused her eyes to widen and her cheeks to flush. I chuckle and get back to making dinner. She enjoyed me calling her that. I see her out of the corner of my eye, sipping her wine. She is trying to calm her nerves.

I finish up the sauce and take a spoonful from the pan. “Tell me if this tastes okay.”

“Okay.”

I blow on it a little, not wanting her to burn her mouth and offer the spoon to her. Despite her hesitation, she opens her mouth and accepts it.

“What is your opinion?”

“It tastes delicious.” She smiles.

I expected as much. I am a perfectionist, but I wanted to see what she thought.

“You have a little something on your lips.”

 Aubrey quickly wipes her lips. “Did I get it?”

Yes, she did that, but I’m not going to reveal that to her. I am going to use one of the cheesiest moves ever to exist.

“Allow me to get that for you.”

Leaning in, I lightly brush my lips over hers to pretend to wipe off the non-existent sauce. Aubrey whimpers loudly at the contact.

I smile sweetly, pulling away. “All gone.”

“T-t-thank you.” She stammers, her eyes seeming darker than usual.

My desires are within reach at this very moment. It wouldn’t take that much if such a simple touch were enough to drive her crazy.

I reduce the heat and let everything simmer. It shouldn’t take much longer. I sip my wine, set it down, and stand before Aubrey. Her curious gaze is fixed on me, waiting to see what I’ll do next.

I separate her legs and position myself between them. On either side of her hips, I place my hands on the counter.

Aubrey gulps, “W-w-why are y-y-you standing so close?”

“Is it getting to you, sweetness?”

Looking down, she softly replies, “Yes.”

I place my finger on her chin, tilting her head back, making her look at me again. “Why does it bother you? Does it make resisting the urge to want me more difficult?”

“I don’t want you.”

Her words don’t sound convincing.

“Yes, you do, because if you didn’t, you wouldn’t be nervous right now. You wouldn’t have whimpered when my lips touched yours.”

Sighing, she closes her eyes and runs a hand through her hair. She pushes me away from her, hopping off the counter.

“It doesn’t matter! Nothing can happen! I wouldn’t betray your brother or my cousin like that. They have done too much. I’d likely be homeless or in a far worse situation without them,” she snaps.

She begins to walk away, but I don’t allow her to get far. I pull her from behind, spinning her around and holding her close to me. She gasps, her arms instinctively rising to encircle my neck.

“No one needs to know. It can be our little secret.” I rasp, circling my fingers on her hips.

She shakes her head. “I can’t. Please stop.” She whispers.

“I will leave it for now, but you will give in eventually because I know you want me.”

I let go of her. I will leave it be. Pushing her too hard will result in her asking me to go. That is not something I want. I want us to have dinner and some drinks. Maybe if I back off, she’ll relax, and with us spending some time together, she won’t be so on edge around me. I can play the nice guy for the night.

It is going to be harder than I thought to get what I want. I am not used to working so hard, but needs must.

“I am sorry. I will back away. Can we please sit down and have dinner?”

“You promise?” she asks.

“I give you my word. Dinner will be ready soon.” I smile.

She stares at me for a moment, trying to work out if she should.

“Okay, but if you try anything again, then you leave, no questions. Do we have a deal?” she questions, her hand on her hip and her voice firm.

“It’s a deal.”

It’s a tough task, but I’ll do it. I don’t need to rush anything; I have plenty of time. It is easy enough for me to see her. I need a strategy that works for her. My usual methods won’t cut it.