Chapter 24
‘Did you have a hard day?’ Mitch asked, leaning against the counter and staring at me.
He didn’t say it unkindly, but I tugged at my baggy top, feeling self-conscious. My hair was starting to droop down the back of my head, so I took out the clip.
‘I know I look a mess…’
‘You look great, you always do. Just a little less put-together than usual. And a little stressed.’
I shrugged, resisting the urge to fling my arms around his neck and sob uncontrollably. ‘I’m okay.’ Now. I’m okay now that I know you’re still here.
‘Why don’t you have a relaxing bath while I make us some dinner?’
‘You’re going to cook?’ I said, feeling a bit astonished. ‘Do you know how?’
Mitch raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m a single male who lives alone. Of course I know how to cook. I actually enjoy it.’
I shook my head. ‘You’re full of surprises.’
He grinned. ‘I have my moments. Now go, please, and let me do my thing. It’ll be about an hour.’
‘Perfect,’ I murmured dazedly. One hour ago, I’d been feeling like my world had ended. Now I was being shooed off to take a bath, and Mitch was cooking us a meal. Was the universe trying to tell me something?
‘Oh, and Primrose…’
I turned around in the doorway to find Mitch giving me an intense look. ‘Yes?’
‘During dinner, I think we should have a little talk.’
My stomach lurched, but I nodded as if it had occurred to me as well. ‘Yes, I think that’s a very good idea.’
I walked off to the bathroom, my false sense of security dissipating. I knew it. Mitch was being all nice and accommodating because he was going to deliver something that stung. I shouldn’t trust that he wanted to talk about anything good! Maybe I should get in first to preserve my dignity.
Soaking in the hot, steaming suds re-focused my mind somewhat.
I started to relax, and hearing Mitch bustling around the kitchen with pots and pans was incredibly comforting, if a little disconcerting.
Because I wanted it to continue. I wanted him to water my plants.
Watch movies with me on the couch. Have hot sex.
And sleep in each other’s arms afterwards.
How could I give him my miserable little speech about it being time for him to leave when I wanted the complete opposite?
I didn’t think I could even get the words out.
And what if he didn’t want the same thing?
The thought of admitting my feelings to him and getting a pitying look in return was terrifying.
In my experience, a ‘little talk’ never boded well.
Fuck him, fuck him, fuck him for making me feel like this.
I kicked the side of the bath again and again in frustration, making a dull thudding noise under the water. Some of the bubbly froth sloshed onto the floor.
There was a rap on the door, and Mitch’s muffled voice rang out. ‘Are you alright in there?’
‘Yes, fine, thanks,’ I squeaked back.
‘Dinner is twenty minutes away.’
‘Okay. Great.’ The smell of garlic and onions wafted under the door. My stomach rumbled.
‘I’m going to have a glass of wine. Do you want one?’
Huh, that’s right. Get me drunk so it won’t hurt as much when you garrote my heart.
‘Yes, please,’ I called. ‘Actually, maybe just bring me the bottle.’
Mitch knocked, and I sank lower in the bath, so I was completely submerged under the bubbles. ‘Come in.’
He entered carrying a wine bottle and a glass.
My eyes flicked over his toned bronze arm muscles, since he’d taken off his hoodie and was wearing a light blue t-shirt and jeans. My pulse elevated. Dammit, why did he always look so hot?
He pulled up a chair next to the bath and sat down before I could say anything. Pouring a glass of wine for himself, he handed me the bottle.
‘Cheers,’ he said.
‘Cheers.’ I clinked his glass with the top of the bottle and took a long swallow. Then another.
Mitch sipped his wine and hooked one leg over the other. He didn’t seem in any hurry to leave. The wine was making me feel more relaxed, but his presence was also making me feel slightly horny. As it always did. I wished he would vamoose so I could think clearly.
‘Don’t you have to get back to the kitchen?’ I asked.
‘Nope,’ he said. ‘Everything’s under control. Taking a short break.’
‘Oh.’ I took another large swig of wine.
‘...And I’m hoping the bubbles might disappear.’
‘You might be waiting a while,’ I said smugly, ‘I put in lots of bubble bath.’
‘You certainly did.’ Mitch leaned forward and batted away some of the bubbles over my breasts, exposing them.
‘Hey, stop that.’ I scooped a white, frothy handful back in place.
But Mitch suddenly decided that swatting bubbles and making me squeal was a fun game. The wine had dulled my reactions, and he was batting away bubbles faster than I could scoop them back, so he was getting to see a lot more of my body than I anticipated.
Soon, only a thin film of bubbles remained, and Mitch was kneeling by the side of the bath, smirking as he tried to avoid my slaps and splashes.
His t-shirt was drenched, and my face was hot and sweaty by the time all the bubbles were gone, and I sucked in a breath as he held my slippery wrists and lowered his face to mine.
My heart pounded in my ears, and I thought he was going to kiss me, but he murmured, ‘I win the prize,’ and twisted his head. He took a long, lingering look at my naked body floating in the green water.
I burned under his gaze. Then I smelt something that was burning.
‘Mitch! Your dinner.’
‘Shit.’ He let go of my wrists and bolted out of the bathroom, nearly slipping over the puddle that we’d splashed on the floor. I flopped back into the lukewarm water, a silly grin on my flushed face. Well, that was… unexpected.
I retrieved the bottle of wine from the chair where he’d placed it when things started kicking off.
I drained the rest of it. My head whirred with wine and physical stimulation, and I realised if Mitch was involved, this evening might not go the way I was expecting.
Maybe since I was already half-drunk, I should try going with the flow and see what happened.
But first, getting out of the bath and putting on some clothes would be a good idea.