“So Zoe?”
“Yes, Spencer.”
“What would you like to do tonight?”
Sighing heavily, part of me wanted to say anything you want. I wouldn’t lie to him. Not again. I’d done it once and it hadn’t turned out all that well. “Honestly?”
“Always.”
“I want to sleep.”
“Oh, thank God.”
“Thank God?
“Zoe, I’m so damn tired I could go to bed now and sleep straight through.”
Spencer’s admission made me giggle. I knew exactly how he felt. My bone weary body was screaming for rest. “Sounds perfect.”
“Why don’t you go have a bath while I find some food?”
“You sure? I’ll cook if you want,” I offered weakly.
I didn’t want to cook. I wanted to soak in a bath for a thousand years. Even the thought of the steaming hot water made my whole body feel boneless.
“Nice try. I saw the effect the word ‘bath’ had on you, Pippi, but thanks for the offer. Go on. Go soak for a while and I’ll scrounge up something.”
Dropping a chaste kiss on his cheek, I scurried away before he changed his mind.
The hot water felt amazing. It soothed my aches and melted away my stresses. I don’t know how long I lay there, but when my heart was racing and sweat was beading on my forehead, I knew it was time to get out.
As I made my way into the kitchen my stomach growled loudly.
“You right there?” Spencer enquired with a smirk.
“Yeah. Why?” I asked, confused.
“You mean other than the fact that you’ve obviously been raiding my closet. Again. Or that very loud, very unladylike noise your stomachs making?”
Perching on the bar stool, Spencer slid a plate in front of me filled with grilled chicken and some sort of asparagus and snow pea salad. “Looks good,” I commented, stuffing an overfull forkful into my mouth.
“Thanks,” he acknowledged, slumping down beside me. He was so close I could feel the warmth from his thigh as it brushed against mine and it was oddly comforting.
Quickly we both cleared our plates. I hadn’t realised how hungry I was until I started eating. Once I started I couldn’t stop. Pushing the empty plate away from me, I yawned loudly.
“Why don’t you go find a movie while I finish cleaning up, then we can relax for the night?” Spencer offered.
“I could. Or…you could go find a movie and I’ll do the dishes.”
“You’re a guest, Zoe. Guests don’t scrub pots.”
“They also don’t go into your closet and help themselves.” I smiled as I started rinsing.
“Fine, you win.”
Spencer shuffled off and I was thankful for a moment to myself. I needed a minute. I’m not sure why but he had me rattled. I took my time scrubbing the pots and pans before turning my attention to wiping down the counter. When I’d finished, I stumbled into the lounge. He’d already pulled the heavy curtains shut and closed the door before flopping onto the couch.
“You comfortable?”
