"You'll get used to it, Little Angel."
"I will?"
He chuckled and started walking away. Giving Fedor one last glance, I followed closely behind. The sun had decided to tuck itself behind a bunch of clouds and flurries were beginning to come down. I believed in the power of snow days, that anything could happen. Whipping out my phone, I texted Mallory and told her that the shop should close for the day and to make sure the staff went home to relax.
Once Lucien and I entered into the mansion, we stopped by the door and tugged off our clothes and shoes.
"When's the last time you had a cup of hot chocolate?" I asked.
"...never."
The way in which he shrugged. What type of childhood had this man had?
"I'm on it," I winked at him. "And since you told the staff not to talk to me...I'll have to make this from scratch if you don't have any in the pantry. Why don't you go up to your bedroom...and I'll bring you a cup."
He looked like he wanted to protest but finally just gave in.
Finding my way into the kitchen after a few twists and turns, I surprised Lucien's housekeeper. When she caught sight of me, her eyes went wide and she covered her mouth in a startled fashion. She had on her regular uniform, all black but flour seemed to be all over it.
"Hello, Ms. Porter," I smiled.
"Evening dear," she said and then covered her mouth in shock again.
She was more than likely remembering that Lucien had ordered her not to speak to me.
"It's okay," I held up my hands in understanding. "I'm just here to make some hot cocoa."
She jerked her thumb to the pantry and I nodded. She turned away from me and went back to whatever she was making. The sound of her humming began to fill my ears. Entering into the pantry, I tugged on the string that was connected to a light. My hand ran along the labels of many items.
"Ms. Porter," I called. "I can't seem to find what I'm looking for."
"Try the third shelf to the right, dear," she replied.
I heard her curse just as I found what I was looking for, and exited.
"I won't tell Lucien you spoke to me," I replied and gave her a wink.
She chuckled.
"Truth be told, I wouldn't care if you did," she shrugged. "He knows better than to tell an old woman like me to hush up anyway."
It was my turn to laugh. My hands wandered over the cabinets doors and finally, I found two white mugs that looked as though they had never been used. Something told me, Lucien didn't get a ton of guests so they were probably brand new.
"So dear," Mrs. Porter spoke. "Where are you from and such?"
Before I knew it we were chatting like two old friends. I watched as she began to heat the milk and I told her about Tainted Ink and how well it was doing. She listened intently and shared about her now deceased husband and how he'd been a biker of all things and how he'd been tatted up like crazy.
Finally, the cocoa was done and I was just about to pick up the mugs when she stopped me.
"Wait, it's missing something," a mischievous glint entered into her eyes.
Ms. Porter turned on her heel and went to the refrigerator and pulled out a can of cool whip in the can. "Now you know where that is....in case you and Mr. Lucien..."
A blush so red began to cover my body at her words. "Ahhh...."
"Oh girl," she smiled the glint still in her eye. "I'm an old woman, not stupid. You're the first woman he's ever brought in this house. He is very particular about these things."
Steam rose from both cups of cocoa as she covered them in the fluffy cream. I gave her another wink as I trotted off, eager to share this delicious treat with Lucien. Why? I had no earthly clue, I just for some reason wanted him to enjoy this snow day with me.
