Chapter 4
Gabe
I regretted my words as soon as they were out of my mouth. I hadn’t meant to sound so rude, so harsh, but my brain could not comprehend that the woman who was standing in front of me was Sarah’s friend.
It had been a while since I had seen her.
It had been in passing and truth be told, I hardly paid any addition to her.
If I remember correctly, I was running late for a dinner meeting and didn’t give her or Sarah a second glance.
I smiled, told her she was welcome in my place, and to have a good night. I don’t think I even looked at her.
If I had, I would certainly have remembered how sexy she was.
I would have seen how lean and toned she was.
I would have seen how blue her eyes were.
I would have seen how shapely her body was, most especially her breasts.
I would have had the same reaction I was having at seeing her.
I certainly would not have agreed to let her stay with me.
She was too attractive for my own good. Even having her standing there, her mouth cracked, her eyes huge with concern and hurt, I wanted to take her into my arms and press my mouth to hers.
I wanted to apologize for worrying her and tell her I would never do it again.
But I certainly couldn’t do that. She was my daughter’s friend.
She was staying in my place because she needed a safe place to be, not be lusted after by her friend’s father.
There was something about seeing her standing in my kitchen that made me think she belonged there.
That she belonged with me. She wore a black tank top that left little to the imagination.
I could see she wasn’t wearing a bra, and it clung to her body and showed off her tiny waist. I could barely see the shorts she was wearing but I had a feeling they didn’t cover more than her top did.
I had to step in front of the island to hide my excitement at seeing her.
It wasn’t just that she looked so sexy in her little outfit, or that her hair cascaded down her back and made me want to tug on it as she looked up at me.
It was that she looked so comfortable in my kitchen.
Somehow, that made her even sexier to me.
I had always liked cooking. She gave off the appearance she did too. It added to her allure.
We stood in front of each other for a few seconds. I was trying to find something to say to her. Something to pull back my comment but Elle spoke instead.
“I’m sorry. I thought Sarah told you I was going to be here. I’m Elle. Sarah’s friend. She was supposed to tell you I was going to move in. She told me you were okay with it. She said you were thrilled by it, actually. I should have known she exaggerated,” Elle said.
“Sarah, exaggerate? Make something sound better than it is? Never,” I teased back.
Some of the tension in Elle’s shoulders left and it did in mine, too.
“I’m the one who should apologize. I wasn’t expecting you here so soon. Nor did I think you would be so interested in my kitchen or what I had in the cabinets.”
Elle blushed slightly and smiled at me. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. I like to cook and was curious about what you had.”
“Do you approve?” I asked.
“Yes. Very much so.”
“Really?” My cookware was some of the finest you could find in New York if not the world. Most people didn’t know what they were seeing. I was impressed that she did.
“Why? Yes. Did you not expect a twenty-three-year-old to know how to cook or know excellent tools when she sees them?” She asked.
“I didn’t say that, it’s just-”
“You have never seen Sarah cook and assumed I was like her?” Elle finished.
“I can see that you are not. She said you were a wonderful influence on her. I can see that is true.”
“Thank you. I try. Sarah is good people. I feel lucky to be friends with her.”
“Oh, why is that?” I asked and crossed my arms.
Elle stepped back. It allowed me to see her long legs and just how short her shorts were again. They clung to her legs and made me wonder if she was wearing underwear. I looked away from her. I didn’t need to be thinking like that. I couldn’t.
“She’s sweet. She sees the best in people. I’m a bit more jaded or see more of the truth in people. She only wants to see the good. It’s nice to have that change, that optimism in my life,” Elle said.
“And her having a nice place for you to live, rent free, certainly has its perks, too,” I added.
“Mr. Harrison. I’m grateful that you agreed to let me stay here.
I will admit, I need it but I’m not one who looks for handouts.
Sarah implied you would be out of town and needed someone to look after your place while you were gone.
She said that we would be doing each other a favor.
As I can’t currently pay you to stay here, it seemed like a good arrangement for us.
I do not mooch off people. I would not use Sarah that way.
If you think I’m here just for a free ride, then you’re mistaken. ”
“Yet, you had no problem taking it,” I countered.
My anger was coming out again and as much as I wanted to stop it, I couldn’t.
I didn’t like the feelings I was having for her, nor how my body was reacting.
I wanted her to stay as far away from me as possible.
If I had to use anger to get my point across, then I would.
I didn’t want to be an asshole to her, but it just came out that way.
“I saw a solution to two problems that appeared to be beneficial to both parties. It appears that changed. I was not made aware that you did not want me here, didn’t agree to have me here, nor do you not need me to help you out.
I will not stay where I am not wanted. I’m sorry if there has been any confusion.
But let me rectify that right now. I’ll leave. ”
Elle wiped her hands on the towel she had been holding and threw it down on the counter.
I could tell it did not have the desired effect she wanted as she glared at the towel before walking past me.
I let her go. I should have stepped aside but she brushed past me and I felt as if I had been burned where we touched.
I wanted to reach out and stop her. But I knew I couldn’t do that.
To touch her would only make me want her more.
If I touched her, I would pull her into my arms. I would tell her just what she had done to me standing there.
I would push her up against the counter and the kitchen would be used for a very different reason than cooking.
As she walked past me, I caught a hint of her scent. It was a mixture of honeysuckle and lemon. It was crisp, cool, and fresh and seemed perfect for her as she was all those things. I had never known a woman who had sized me up and put me in my place as quickly as she had.
There was a part of me, one that was growing with every second I was around Elle that wanted to explore that.
I wanted to push her buttons a bit more.
I wanted to see her eyes get dark again as she looked at me.
I wanted to see her shock turn to annoyance.
I wanted to watch her walk towards me again.
I wanted to get another view of her body and breast.
But she was past me before that could happen.
I let her go. It was for the best. It wasn’t going to work out for us to be living together.
It was better that she found that out now instead of later.
I was sure she could find another place.
She would be okay. Still, I winced when I heard the door slam and wondered if I could have done a better job of welcoming her into my home.