“I’m hungry. A salad wasn’t going to do it.”
I stare at him like he just dropped from the sky. “I can’t believe you’d spend this kind of money onfood.”
I emphasize the last part only because of his past habits, and he knows it. While I was never with him for all the money he thought I was after, it would’ve been nice if we went out to a nice restaurant once in a while.
“We should dig in before it goes cold,” he suggests as he pulls a couple of plates out as well. “I’ll wash them when we’re done,” he makes sure to add when he notices me eyeballing his movements.
With a shrug and a devil may care attitude, I walk over and drop in one of the seats. Alex puts the plate in front of me, and I can’t help but be impressed by the size of the steak on it. There’s not enough room left to add any sides. He places a container with steamed vegetables in between us.
“This looks great,” I somehow manage to say. The smell of the food hits my nostrils, and my tastebuds are on full alert. My stomach tightens in a painful knot at the thought of me changing my mind about eating any of this. I couldn’t say no even if I wanted to.
I pick up the fork and knife he brought to the table and cut into the meat. I bring it to my mouth, and I swear I am about tohave an orgasm just from the taste alone. I don’t even remember chewing before I am on to the next bite, and then the next, until I realize that I have reached the very last one.
Leaning against the chair, I drop my head back as I pat my stomach.
“That was incredible.”
I don’t remember the last time I felt this satisfied after a meal. Definitely much better than whatever I was going to scrape together for my dinner tonight.
“I hope you left room for dessert,” Alex chimes in from next to me.
My eyes snap open, and I turn my head to stare at him. “Please don’t tell me you brought more chocolate cake.”
Alex, with the adorable smirk still in place, picks up a container that he’d earlier sat on the counter. He pushes the plates away and drops it in between us.
“Just one piece,” he says. “To share.”
I am taken aback by how normal of a scene this all feels like. It’s something we never really had before, not like this. I don’t know what to make of it. It scares me.
“Why did you come back, Alex?”
The smile drops off his face. He now seems to be at a loss for words, which is another first, at least around me.
“I’ll sleep with you again, if that’s why you’re here. You didn’t have to spend all this money on food.”
A lump forms in the back of my throat. Sex is the only connection I’ve ever had with him. I guess I’m not ready to sever it. Besides, him buying me food in exchange for sex feels wrong.
“That’s fucked up,” he says. Apparently, he feels the same about our situation.
“It may be” I shrug. “But it’s not like we had a traditional relationship before. So… it fits.”
Alex continues staring at me for the longest time. I pull up my phone and realize it’s late, and I need to go to bed sooner rather than later. If I take a shower, that would cut into my awake time. I can’t afford to stretch whatever is going on with Alex much longer.
Deciding that I need to take the matters into my own hands, so to speak, I stand up from the chair and push it back. I tap on the bottom of his chair, motioning for him to turn around and face me. He follows my silent direction with a bit of apprehension marring his features.
I think by now it’s obvious what I am about to do, which is why I am surprised when he stops me as I am about to get down on my knees in between his legs.
“No.”
His tone is firm and leaves no room for discussion. I don’t fight it because Alex taking control during sex is something that I crave. He stands up, towering over me, staring me down to the point where I am willing to do anything he asks me to.
Without breaking eye contact, he turns us around until we can step away from the table. Only a handful of steps more, and I feel the small countertop that’s across from the table at my back.
There’s so much determination on Alex’s face when he places his hands on my hips, then yanks me into him. My breath hitches in expectation when I think that he is about to kiss me.
Disappointment rears its ugly head when instead, he picks me up and plops me on top of the counter. That doesn’t last long though when he immediately drops his mouth to mine, pressing our lips together.
“Alex,” I moan.
