Chapter 5
CLARA
The soft light of morning broke through the window, and I rolled over in bed to discover that I was alone, which was a little disappointing, but not a huge surprise.
Hel had said that this was something that would just be for the night, and I knew better than to try and convince her otherwise, even if it would be good to get more attention from her talented fingers.
Reluctantly, I got out of bed, surprised to find a note on the side table with my name on it. I flipped it open and found instructions printed in neat handwriting to either put on a robe and come to the kitchen, or sneak out, whichever was my choice.
There was a part of me that was too intrigued about what she might be doing in the kitchen to sneak out, especially because my stomach was rumbling and I could definitely do with some food before I figured out how to get home.
I slipped on my underwear before putting on the robe, enjoying how warm and fluffy it felt against my skin. It was even better than the robes at fancy hotels, which was impressive considering that Hel probably didn't have a professional laundry service in her house.
With the sun illuminating the house, I was able to see more of it than I could last night, though that could also be down to the fact that I was no longer distracted by the prospect of sex.
Not that I would say no if Hel suggested more, it had been good.
Very good even, especially considering it was with a stranger.
Expensive-looking artwork lined the walls, and there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere. I hadn't given much thought to who Hel was last night, or what she might do for a living, but one look at this place screamed luxury.
The sounds of cooking sound from behind one of the doors and I made my way to it, assuming that it was the kitchen.
Hel turned as soon as I pushed open the door, smiling at me pleasantly. "Good morning."
"Morning." I took a moment to appreciate the sight in front of me. Her pale blue hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she had a long shirt on that barely covered her. She was a vision.
And she was cooking.
"I wasn't sure what you liked, so I was making some lunch for later," Hel said. "But I have options for breakfast. There are some cardamom buns, or overnight oats. I think I still have a slice or two of Swedish cheese pie too."
"I don't know what that is," I responded.
"It's a bit like quiche," she said. "But with Swedish cheese. It's delicious. I'd lie and say I made it myself, but it came from the bakery down the road. The same with the cardamom buns. I can't claim credit. Now the overnight oats? Those I can say I made."
"I love overnight oats, so I guess that's my choice."
"Then I can truly claim to have made you breakfast." Hel headed over to the fridge and pulled it open, taking out a small glass layered with oats.
"I feel like I'm at a fancy hotel," I said as I took a seat at her breakfast bar. It was as pristine and ordered as the rest of the house. What did this woman do for a living?
She chuckled. "I aim to please."
"You certainly did last night."
"Oh, I know." Her lips quirked up into a satisfied smile. "Coffee?"
I shook my head. "I'm a herbal tea kind of woman."
"I can do that too." She reached into the cupboard and pulled out a wooden box, pushing it towards me. "Take your pick."
I undid the latch and looked inside, finding dozens of individually wrapped tea bags in all kinds of different flavours. "Why do you have so many?"
"Sometimes I like to have one myself, but not all that often. They stay fresher if they're individually sealed."
I picked out a bag of chamomile and she took it from me, dropping it into a mug and adding some hot water.
"So, last night was fun," I said as I picked up a spoon and dug it into the creamy oats.
"It was," Hel responded as she put a mug down in front of me and grabbed her own, along with what I assumed was one of the cardamom buns given the smell coming from it.
"This is good," I said as I ate more of the overnight oats.
"Thanks. Lots of practice." She tore a piece of her pastry away and popped it into her mouth.
"Are you a chef?"
She laughed. "Definitely not. But that's verging dangerously close to personal conversation."
"All right, no talking about jobs," I said.
"Did you message your cousin to assure her you were okay this morning?"
"Not yet," I responded. "I should have done that first thing."
She shrugged. "If she's not going to be worried, then I suppose it doesn't matter as much. But I don't want her to think I've kidnapped you or something."
"If you were going to do that, wouldn't you just wait until after I'd sent the message so she thinks I disappeared on my way home?" I asked as I ate more of my oats.
"Seems like a lot of work. It's hard not to get to know someone if you've kidnapped them."
I raised an eyebrow. "Spoken from experience?"
A light laugh escaped from her. "Hardly. But I have an...interesting family."
"I hope to never meet them."
"I doubt you will," she said. "Though I suppose that depends how much time you spend at The Pomegranate."
"Last night was my first time," I said. "I wouldn't have gotten in if it weren't for my cousin. She's dating someone who knows someone in management there. At least, I think that's how she got us tickets."
"It's how it works. The club is invite-only. You have to know someone to get in." She popped a piece of her pastry into her mouth, drawing attention to her lips as she did.
Thoughts of last night surfaced unbidden. She'd done plenty with those lips, and it was disappointing that I wouldn't experience them again. I cleared my throat. "I didn't realise clubs could be so exclusive."
"That's what happens when they're run by a god," she said.
"I can't say I've spent much time in those kinds of establishments."
"I'd recommend them." She picked up her mug and took a sip of coffee.
"I don't imagine I'll find out." I pushed my finished glass of oats away. "Thank you for breakfast."
Hel gave me a genuine smile. "No problem. If you want a shower, I can get you a towel and show you where things are."
"That's quite a morning service when you say it's a one-night-only thing."
She shrugged. "I don't have to be uncivilised just because I don't want a relationship."
"Fair enough. A shower would be good."
"All right, let me sort you out." She smiled and left the room, moving with an easy confidence that was definitely earned.
I let out a sigh and drank the rest of my tea, while considering what I was going to do next.
Once I'd showered, I'd probably head to the shop.
I'd slept well after multiple orgasms in the arms of a beautiful woman.
Somehow, going to work seemed anticlimactic after that, but it was probably what I needed to do.