Andre
“YOU WANT A menu?” Paisley stares at me, her forehead wrinkling. “For here?”
“I certainly don’t want a menu for somewhere else.” I relax back against the worn cushion of the seat. “That wouldn’t do me any good.”
She purses her lips, the move dragging my attention to her mouth. Reminding me exactly what it’s capable of.
I wanted her last night. Considered offering her a sizable amount of money to get on her knees again.
But right now the difference between what I want from Paisley and what I need from her is vast, and what I need is significantly more important.
“Fine.” She reaches under the counter and retrieves a laminated menu. She slides it across the counter, eyes avoiding mine.
I pick it up and scan the slightly sticky surface. This isn’t the kind of place I normally visit, and this certainly isn’t the kind of food I normally eat. There’s no room for anything in my life that will make me weak, and the rows of sloppy burgers and fried chicken I’m staring at would most definitely do that. “What’s good here?”
Paisley presses her lips together in a way that makes me wonder if she realizes how torturous each movement of her mouth is. “I guess that depends on what you like.”
“I’m not sure you’re prepared to hear about what I like, Duchess.”
Her cheeks flush a deeper pink, making me wish I could strip every bit of clothing away to discover exactly how far across her skin the color stretches.
“What do you like to eat?” She’s still refusing to look my way which only makes me want to say more things that will bring that pretty flush to her face.
I’m sure at this point Duchess believes I’m a man who only takes, claiming what he wants without worrying about how anyone else is affected, and in some ways she’s correct.
But in many ways she’s not.
“Again, I’m not sure you’re prepared for my answer.”
“Oh my God.” She presses one hand to her face, leaning into it. “I can’t do this with you right now, Andre. Just tell me what you want from the kitchen.”
I could point out that what I want won’t be found in the kitchen. But I’m guessing that will be one more thing she’s not interested in hearing right now, so I slide the menu toward her. “I want whatever you bring me.”
I’m not here for the food. I’m here for her.
For the answer to all my problems.
Giving Paisley time to think about my offer has also given me time to think it over, and it’s only become clearer to me that she is the only woman capable of making Frederick believe this lie I want to tell.
Paisley studies me a second longer before taking the menu and turning to the computer I saw her leaning against when I walked in. At first I thought maybe she was exhausted, and I’m still sure that’s the case, but then I saw her smile. It was slow and it was fleeting, but it was real.
Something made her happy, and I would like to know what it was.
I wait while she punches a few buttons, watching her every move for any hint of what brought her so much joy.
Maybe someone else is providing her with the money it’s clear she needs.
The possibility sits cold and sour in my stomach.
Just because I haven’t taken what I bought doesn’t mean it isn’t still mine.
Paisley finishes and comes back to stand across the counter from me, any hint of her earlier smile gone completely as she repeats her earlier question. “Why are you here, Andre?”
There’s no confrontation in her voice. Not even any aggravation that I’ve once again inserted myself into her life. She simply sounds…
Worn down.
Yet another reason she should have easily taken me up on my offer. But she didn’t.