Chapter 12 Zayden
ZAYDEN
I WAKE UP ALONE.
Slowly, I sit up and push myself out of bed. After a quick shower, the smell of something delicious guides me to the kitchen. Nora is dressed in a loose-fitting dress, her hair tied up in a messy bun. Pop music is softly playing from the speakers.
Since all the windows and doors are sealed, the smell of whatever she’s cooking wafts through the house.
‘Good morning,’ I say.
‘Afternoon, actually.’
Glancing at the clock, I see that we’ve just slipped into the afternoon. Dropping into the seat at the kitchen island, I watch her stir something in the slow cooker.
‘I thought you said you don’t cook.’
‘I do cook, I just don’t whip up any MasterChef-level meals like you do. I thought I’d do some meal prepping in case we lose power.’
‘That’s a good idea. What are you cooking?’
‘A chicken and veggie stir fry. You had everything already so I thought we may as well use it.’
Getting to my feet, I move towards her. Resting a hand on her hip, I kiss the top of her head. ‘It smells amazing. Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’
Opening the side door, I make my way carefully out to the pool.
The storm seems to have briefly calmed. Other than a lot of leaves and branches littering the tiles, everything appears in order.
Some of the neighbours haven’t been as lucky.
I double check everything is secure before heading back inside.
‘Any update on the cyclone?’ I ask.
‘It’s meant to be hitting in the early hours of tomorrow morning now. According to the community pages, a bunch of places have already lost power and trees are down everywhere. Hence the cooking,’ she says, gesturing to the slow cooker.
‘Perfect opportunity to get some university work done,’ I say, and then pause. ‘They’re words I never thought would come out of my mouth.’
Nora beams. ‘Makes my heart happy.’
‘You’re a good influence on me.’
‘Is that so?’ she asks, tucking a loose piece of hair behind her ear as she makes me a coffee.
‘And wife material,’ I groan. ‘Looking like that and now bringing me a coffee. You’re spoiling me.’
‘You’re sheltering me and keeping me safe throughout all of this. It’s the least I can do.’
Keeping me safe.
Those words do something to me. They make me feel worthwhile. Like I mean something to someone. I know I mean something to my close friends and family, but it’s different coming from Nora. She makes me feel important in a different way.
Since Nora’s meal will be in the slow cooker for a few hours, I throw together some salad wraps for lunch. Well, technically breakfast for me.
After eating, we spend a few hours studying. I haven’t felt this organised and prepared when it comes to schoolwork quite possibly ever. I feel like I’m on top of things and know exactly what I’m doing and what’s due. It’s nice not to feel overwhelmed for once.
‘Okay. Walk time.’
Eyeing the dark sky, Nora looks doubtful about going but doesn’t object to it.
I find it difficult to pull my attention from her ass as she walks up the stairs.
We dress and meet back down by the front door.
She’s in an oversized jumper and tights.
Those tights look great on her, showing off her delicious curves.
I loved having my hands on them last night.
She’s keeping me on my toes. Innocent with a daring side. My type, through and through. I didn’t know that until now.
The air is crisp as we step out the front and instantly Nora’s bangs fly around her face. She tucks them behind her ears and stays close to me as we head out onto the street. I reach for her hand automatically. I seem to be forgetting that this isn’t real. It feels real to me.
The streets are deserted. Most people are staying indoors and waiting out the storm.
The rain has eased, but it still lightly sprinkles on us as we walk.
We send a quick check-in text to all our friends but it turns out that we’re the only ones in the hot seat.
Cami is safe at cheer camp, Anya and Mason are out of town.
The rest of the team don’t reply and since my signal is quite spotty, I’m guessing they may not have reception.
‘This feels like we’re in a dystopian film,’ she says, hugging her arms around herself.
‘Yeah. It’s a bit creepy,’ I agree.
We do half the route we usually do and retire early, the rain starting to set back in.
We just make it inside when it begins to hammer down.
Tugging her to me, I swoop down and kiss her.
No one is watching, no one is here, but I don’t care.
I just want to kiss her. I know it was an agreement, it’s just fake, but I can’t help myself.
She’s too tempting, and when she seems to be into it just as much as I am, I can’t resist.
The lights flicker around us before we’re thrown into darkness.
‘No power results in a candlelight dinner.’
Placing the bowls onto the table, I sit opposite Nora. She’s cast in a soft, golden glow, looking as beautiful as ever.
‘Very romantic,’ she teases.
Dressed in a powder-blue dress that matches her eyes, when she stares across the table at me, I decide there and then that my favourite colour is blue.
‘That is the perfect colour for you,’ I say, gesturing to her dress.
Smiling, she finishes chewing. ‘Thank you.’
Every time her gaze slides to mine, it’s electric.
The tension between us is becoming unbearable, as if with each stolen glance and slight touch, the oxygen in the room decreases by ten per cent.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt this kind of infatuation for someone before.
It’s confusing and a little scary, especially when this whole agreement was supposed to prevent distractions.
‘Is being inside driving you stir-crazy yet?’ she asks, a playful smile dancing on her lips.
My mouth tilts. ‘Usually it would, but being here with you is where I’d rather be.’
She ducks her chin at my words. I’ve noticed that she always gets a little shy whenever I say a bold statement like that or give her a compliment. It’s cute.
‘That’s sweet.’
‘It’s the truth. If you didn’t come here when you did, I’d be going mad. I’d probably have left and turned up at someone on the team’s place. I hate being alone. I get bored very easily.’
‘I’m in my element here. Being inside means I can write, read and watch movies. They’re my favourite things to do.’
‘It must be nice not ever feeling restless or bored. I feel like that’s become a part of my personality at this point.’
She giggles, her cheeks glowing rose red from the humidity of the house and the candles. That reminds me to search for the battery-operated fan I use for camping. We’ll need to use that to get to sleep tonight, since the power is out and the temperature in the house is increasing by the minute.
‘So, how’s the inspiration for the book coming along?’ I ask her, flashing a flirty grin in her direction.
She offers me a tentative smile. ‘Pretty good!’
‘Yeah?’
‘Oh yeah.’
‘Good, good. Wouldn’t want to be letting down my side of the agreement,’ I say, and instantly her face falls, the corners of her lips tightening. Her face neutralises within the blink of an eye and I question whether I saw anything at all.
‘What kind of books do you like to read?’ I ask after a brief silence has fallen and I feel like I’ve somehow said the wrong thing.
‘I mix it up. Romance, thrillers, horror, fantasy, sometimes I’ll throw in a memoir or two. I just read what I feel like at the time.’
‘I see. Is that the same with your writing, then?’
‘Sort of. I predominantly write romance. I’m known for my fantasy romance series but I’m venturing more into darker romance now and have a thriller I’m planning out – a romantic suspense.’
‘It’s impressive that you can read and write across so many genres.
I always thought that most authors would try to stick to one lane.
Is that ideal from a consumer perspective?
Does covering a wider audience attract more readers to your books?
’ I ask, hoping I sound like I know what I’m talking about, when in fact, I’m rambling, trying to show interest in the things she likes.
She always listens to me when I yap about sports, motorbikes and whatever else comes to mind.
I want her to know that I’m interested in what she has to say too.
I’ve often been criticised in my past relationships for being ‘self-absorbed’.
When a thought strikes me, I just have to say it, so I don’t forget – often interrupting the other person mid-sentence in the process, making them feel like I don’t care what they were trying to say.
I’m working on that, but it’s been a struggle.
I swear my brain just doesn’t work like others do. At least that’s how it feels.
‘Yeah exactly, it does. I personally like when people venture out and can show interest in a bunch of different things. Like you, with all your hobbies. It’s cool that you have so many things that interest you.’
‘Yeah? Most people seem to find it annoying.’ I release a chuckle, reaching for my drink just to occupy my hands so they don’t somehow wander over to hers.
‘I like that about you.’
Warmth fills my chest at her words. I feel seen when I’m around Nora.
Like she truly appreciates me, flaws and all, and genuinely likes me.
It’s extremely validating and makes me realise that I never felt like that in the past. Especially with Leasa – when my attention wasn’t on her, she’d become upset, and I was too lost in my own head to pick up on the signs until she began yelling.
‘It baffles me that no one knows about your writing. You’re crazy successful, and the fact that you’re anonymous is just wild,’ I say.
She shrugs. ‘I like it that way. I do have a dilemma though.’
‘What’s that?’