“If you expect me to fix you dinner then we’re going to have to go shopping.” She closed the door with a whoosh.
“I couldn’t convince you to do that while I watch some basketball on TV, could I?” His teasing smile and tone revved her heart to racing speed in two seconds.
“Not if you plan to eat. I’m going to need help getting it home. If you really don’t want to go maybe we should just go to my place.” Helena looked about wistfully. She’d been looking forward to preparing a meal in a kitchen larger than a shoebox.
“Hey, I was just kidding you about the ball game. Who knows, a shopping trip might be interesting. And I’d really enjoy a home-cooked meal. But before we go I need some eggs and bacon. I have to keep my energy up.”
His direct look sent heat rushing up her neck. They had been very active in bed before moving to the shower. She couldn’t get enough of Elijah, had discovered a side of herself she’d never dreamed existed.
“Where’s a grocery around here?” she asked. Elijah’s perplexed face almost made her burst into laughter. Her eyes narrowed in sudden suspicion. “You don’t know where the grocery is?”
He lifted a shoulder and let it drop. “I just pick up a few things at the little market on the corner. I don’t think it’s what you have in mind.”
Shaking her head, she said, “You’re pitiful, Elijah Davenport. You’ve led a sheltered life. It’s time to broaden your horizons. I’ll tell you what we’ll do. We’ll go get you those eggs and bacon at the diner then go to my house and pick up a few things I already have. I need a change of clothes anyway. Then we’ll go to the grocery I use. I know where everything is so it won’t take long to shop. Put you out of your misery sooner that way.”
Elijah stepped back and gave her an accusing look that was eased by twinkling eyes. “I had no idea you could be so sassy.”
Had she overstepped the line? Was he afraid that she was asking for more than the sex they had agreed on? Did he think she was using the preparation of dinner to move him into a real relationship? Not meeting his eyes, she said, “I didn’t mean to give orders. I shouldn’t have assumed you didn’t have plans today.”
Elijah gathered her into his arms. “If I did, I’d have changed them for you.”
He sounded so sincere she wanted to cry with happiness.
Elijah gave her a quick kiss. “If we’re going to get all that done, we’d better get going. After all, you’ve already kept me in bed half the day.”
She lightly slapped his shoulder. “Next time, I’ll be sure to resist your tempting body.”
“Don’t you dare.” He gave her another swift kiss.
At the grocery, Elijah pushed the cart beside her. Did he have any idea how domestic the act of going to the store together was? He seemed intrigued by the entire experience.
“You know, I was in college before I ever shopped for groceries,” he commented as she was looking at the lettuce.
“Really? That’s sad. I went every week with my mother. In high school I even worked in one.”
“So I guess you think you know where everything is?” He gave her a challenging look.
“I would say I do.” She let her confidence show in her voice.
“Then I think we should have a contest.”
She liked this fun side of Elijah. “What kind of contest?”
“We each take an item on your list and see who finds it first. Because you think you know where everything is, you have to push the cart.”
She placed the lettuce in the cart. “But it’ll take me longer to get there.”
His nose went up in the air in a haughty gesture. “No complaining about the rules.”
Her hands went to her waist. “But you made the rules.”
He leaned in close and gave her a pointed look. “Are you afraid you might lose?”
“I am not!”
“Okay. What’s the next thing on your list?” He had already taken a racer’s position.
She looked at the paper her list was on. “Sour cream. Mine is English peas.”
“On your mark, get set, go.” Elijah was going around the end of the aisle before she moved. A minute later Helena was in the canned goods aisle, picking out the correct brand of peas, when he headed her way. He dropped a carton of sour cream in the basket seconds before she put her can in.
He said in smug tone, “See, you don’t have to shop all the time or work in a store to know where to find things.”
She laughed. “Okay, Mr. Know-It-All. Let’s try it again.”
Helena gave him another item and he was off. She quickly located what she needed but just as she was about to put it in the basket, the cart was jerked to one side and Elijah dropped his item in.
“You cheated,” she yelped.
He grabbed her and gave her a quick kiss. “Maybe a little. Want to go for three to zero?”
They played until all the supplies were in the buggy. Elijah took winning seriously. She shouldn’t have been surprised. He worked hard, lived and loved hard.
On the way to the checkout, they passed a display of small table-sized Christmas trees. She gave Elijah a pleading look. “You need something that says it’s Christmastime in your place. Otherwise it’s kind of sad.”
He shrugged. “Get it if you want to.”
“This one is perfect.” She smiled as she turned the tree, with its small multicolored lights and tiny decorations, around in her hands.
“If you say so.” Elijah gave her an indulgent look.
He paid for the supplies just as he’d promised, insisting he had asked for the meal and she was doing the cooking.
The sun was on the other side of the skyscrapers when they returned to Elijah’s place. Snow was still falling and the tip of Helena’s nose was red. But she couldn’t remember feeling happier. It had been a wonderful afternoon. They had laughed, teased and generally enjoyed each other.
Still, she was glad to get home. Home. She wished his place was her home. That wasn’t a healthy thought. Looking at Elijah, she feared heartache loomed in her future.
As Helena sorted out their purchases and put them away, Elijah made a trip back down to get the bags they’d left in the lobby.
Before he returned she’d placed the Christmas tree on a table in front of a window and plugged in the lights. “Perfect.”
Elijah stood back, giving it unsure look. “Isn’t it dwarfed by the room?”
She glared at him. “It’s a majestic tree.”
He chuckled and held up a hand. “Agreed.”
“That’s the right answer.”
If she were to marry him, would this bubble of joy be theirs always? No! She wouldn’t think like that. She mustn’t tell him how she felt. Elijah wasn’t right for her anyway. She wanted a family. He didn’t. If she told him how she felt, he would surely shut her out completely. Still, the words begged to be said. With his every smile, his laugh at a silly joke, or his excitement over beating her at a simple game, she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and express her love. So far she’d managed to hold herself in check.
Elijah arrived with the last of their bags. “I know my fridge was almost empty but now I’m worried it might not be large enough.”
She curled her upper lip. “Funny man. Don’t give up your day job. Weren’t you the person who wanted me to make you my favorite meal?”
He gave her a sheepish look. “Yeah, I guess I was.”
“Then I suggest you don’t harass the cook,” she said in an arrogant tone.
He came around the counter and put his arms around her waist. “I’ll stay out of trouble. I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll check on things at the hospital. If you don’t need me, that is.” He paused as if waiting for her agreement. “While I’m gone you can cook to your heart’s content.”
She gave him a direct look. “Only if you promise not to get caught up in what’s going on.”
Elijah pulled her closer, kissing her. Stepping back, he looked at her. “I promise. I have something worth hurrying home for.” With that he headed out the door.
Helena wasn’t sure if he was referring to her or the dinner but it didn’t matter. She was just glad he’d be returning to her. They were starting to act like a married couple instead of two people greedily out to get what they could from each other in a week. If she dared to ask, would he extend their agreement? If he did, could she be satisfied with that? She wanted a future filled with love, not just a finite affair. The enchanted happily ever after was her dream.
Would Elijah even consider it?