I moved at a normal pace while going through the steps to make the espresso so he could see what I was doing. Instead of the rushed way I typically did it when trying to get the caffeine quickly.
“You want me to check on the bacon?” he asked then and I realized I’d forgotten about it. Before I could reply, he was moving over to the stove and flipping the bacon. The popping sound of the grease should have been a clear enough reminder I was cooking it, but I’d been so wrapped up in Eli, I’d managed to block it all out.
“Bacon isn’t on my list of things I cook well,” I admitted.
He glanced back over his shoulder at me and the smile on his face said he was clearly amused by that admission. I laughed. At myself and the fact I was a terrible host. If the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, I was screwed.
Eli turned back to the bacon, but the corners of his mouth were still lifted. I liked knowing I’d put that smile there. “I’ll handle the bacon. You do the eggs,” he said.
I made his coffee with the shot of espresso in it then set it beside him. “Do you need sugar or cream?” I asked.
“Black is just fine,” he replied and took a sip. “Damn, that’ll wake you up.”
I nodded as I finished with the bowl of eggs. “That’s the idea.”
Taking out a larger skillet for the eggs, we began cooking in silence beside each other. It wasn’t weird or uncomfortable at all. This was one of the things I liked about Eli. You didn’t feel like you had to speak just to fill the silence.
I wanted to stop cooking and just go sit on the sofa and watch him fry bacon with his shirt off in my kitchen. I was pretty sure that was the equivalent of porn for women.
“Fuck,” he muttered and stepped back. I was jerked out of my thoughts as he stood back at arm’s length while moving the bacon from the stove.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, trying to figure out what had happened.
“Grease,” he said simply then went to the sink to wet a paper towel. “Frying bacon without a shirt wasn’t the smartest idea,” he told me then he smirked as he wiped at his impressive abs. I could see the red welt the hot grease had caused.
“I’m sorry I didn’t think about that,” I admitted.
He lifted his amused gaze. “I don’t reckon you’ve ever fried bacon topless before. So why would you?”
That made me laugh. He was right. I’d never fried bacon topless. Nor had a man ever done so in my presence. “Good point. Do you want me to get you some ointment?” I asked, still smiling even though he was hurt.
He shook his head. “No, it hurt but I’m not that big of a baby. It’s fine.” He tossed the paper towel in the trashcan then began taking the bacon out of the grease and laying it on the plate covered in paper towels I’d prepared for it.
The timer on the oven went off and I was glad I’d set it because the biscuits would have been forgotten. Cooking wasn’t my strong suit and doing things in the morning that took any thought was also not my strong suit. I was struggling all the way around with this endeavor.
Grabbing an oven mitt, I got the biscuits out and set them on the marble counter. The eggs were finished and luckily I’d at least remembered to cut the burner off before walking away from them. In my rare moment of focus, I spun around to get plates only to have two large hands firmly grab my waist. I stilled instantly and all other thought slipped my mind.
Eli was standing in front of me. His head tilted so he was looking down at me. The humor from just a moment ago was gone from his expression. He stood there holding me. His fingers flexed and dug into my skin but not painfully so. Just enough to feel good.
Without saying a word, he lowered his mouth to mine and I was instantly thankful for brushing my teeth, but then I forgot even that. His kiss deepened and he held me close as we stood there tasting each other. I was lost in a moment of complete contentment.
The kiss wasn’t long and ended before I was ready. Eli let his hands fall away as he stepped back. “Thanks for breakfast,” he said then grinned before reaching past me and taking the plates I had been about to get. “And the kiss.”
JUNE 10 / 11:34 AM
Eli Hardy
GRAN’S CHEMO TREATMENTS had started two days ago. When my dad had called to remind me, I’d been trying to decide my next move with Ophelia. We had cooked breakfast together, I’d then kissed her because I needed to touch her so damn bad. However, I’d had to end it before I took her up against the fridge like a mad man. While we ate, she told me about everything from what she had to do at work that day to her sister’s current situation. I could have listened to her talk all day and been happy. She had appeared nervous at first, but as she talked, she relaxed. I asked questions and listened. That seemed to make her more comfortable too.