I turn to find her eyes transfixed on my ass, and it makes me smile again. I walk over to her, slipping my hands into my pockets. “Lunch is ready in the kitchen. Ham and cheese sandwiches with a side of plain chips.” She says, meeting my eyes with a shy smile as if she’s just been caught, but isn’t ashamed of it. Good.
“I haven’t had a ham and cheese in years,” I admit, and follow her to her small kitchen.
“Really? I lived off them when I was living in a homeless shelter. I only eat them when I’m stressed now. It reminds me of a time when I beat all the odds stacked against me.” I sit on the bar stool at the island, and Luna places the plate down, a memory of my mother putting a ham and cheese in front of me quickly flashes in my mind. It was just before she died; I had come home from school, and she was in the kitchen, her red checkered apron on, her brown hair clipped up as always.Hi, my sweet boy.
“It’s kind of silly now that I say it out loud, but it’s true.” Luna’s voice brings me back to the present, and I swallow hard, trying to get rid of the bitter taste the memory left.
“My mom was the last person to make me a ham and cheese sandwich. I haven’t had one since.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I should have asked what you wanted. My mistake, can I make you something else?” Luna reaches for the plate, but I grab her arm, stopping her, and I look up to see her big doe eyes staring back at me. “No, thank you, Luna. I think my mother’s ghost would haunt me if I refused a meal a beautiful woman prepared for me.”
Luna snorts, “I can pan-sear it if you’d like, make it fancier for you.”
I can’t hide my amusement. “I’ll take it as it’s served to me.” I trail my fingers from her wrist, gripping her fingers and bringing them to my lips. “Thank you for lunch. I’mstarving.”
A fresh blush rises on her cheeks, “Of course. Thank you for driving me to the store and saving my life. Lunch is the least I can do.”Luna pulls her hand back like she’s been burned.
Does she feel the connection between us, too?
I don’t let myself dwell on it, so I pick up the sandwich and take a bite.
Holy shit.
Why is this sandwich so fucking good? Fuck. “It’s been too long. I forgot how much I loved these.”
Luna giggles. “Struggle food is comfort food—my life motto.”
I take another bite and smile into my sandwich. It tastes like home, a place I haven’t known in quite some time. A place I’m not sure even existed, it’s been so long. But here, with Luna, my angel has shown me another kindness, a memory I thought I had long forgotten.
“Good?” Luna asks as I take the last bite of my sandwich.
“Very good.” She smiles, picks up my plate, and places it in the sink. I stand, the bar stool scraping the floor as I do, and she turns. “I have to get going, now, though. I have a late night tonight and need to run a few errands before I go home.”
I watch the light leave her eyes, and I hate seeing the disappointment on her face. “Oh. Okay.” Luna flashes a sad smile, “Lots of cybering to secure, I’m sure.”
I watch her round the island, and I pickup my jacket, meeting her eyes. “Is that disappointment I hear, Luna?” I tease.
She shrugs, looking up at me, the edge of desire in her eyes. “Would you call me crazy if I said yes?”
And there it is. Luna is pushing a boundary to see if I’ll cross it. I close the small distance between us, “I would never call you crazy, Luna.” I brush the hair off her shoulder, exposing her decolletage. I run my fingertips ever so lightly down the length of her arm, a trail of goosebumps following behind. My fingers find hers, and I bring them to my lips. “You’ll see me again. I promise.” I place a gentle kiss on her knuckles, looking into her eyes, as she stares back. Her mouth hangs open slightly, and her tongue dances behind her teeth, trying to find the right words, but all she says is, “Okay. Good.”
I back away, smiling, opening her front door. “Obsession looks good on you, Luna.”
Her jaw hits the floor, “I-I am not obsessed!”
I turn back to her, faster than she anticipates, and I snake my fingers around her neck, pulling her into me, kissing her. My movements are rough, but I kiss her softly, I tease the edge of her lips with my tongue, and she melts into me, letting me in. Our tongues collide, and I give her a needy nip on her bottom lip, eliciting soft moans from her. I can’t help the smug smile that creeps on my face as I rest my forehead against hers. “I like my women to be as obsessed as I am, Luna.” I slide my hands from her neck, cradling her hands on my chest, and bringing them to my lips. “You think I didn’t see the way you were looking at me in your bedroom? That I didn’t see the way your thighs clenched together after you oggled my body? I want you just as much as you want me.” I pause, trying to think clearly, but it’s so hard when she’s this close. “But you deserve to be in a better headspace before I make you come harder than you ever thought possible. I’ll be here whenyou’reready.” Luna’s mouth drops open again, and I resist the urge to kiss her again. “I’ll text you later. Have a good rest of your day. Lock the door after I leave. Okay, angel?”
Luna nods, and I step away, dropping her hands. I pick upmy backpack and helmet, turning to Luna before I leave, flashing her a mischievous smile and a wink. I watch as the blush rises on her cheeks again before she shuts the door; the click of her front door lock sliding into place sends a shiver of heat throughout my body.
Good girl.
I slip my helmet on and head down to the garage, my bike sitting next to Luna’s car. I back out of the space and take off down the street.
I weave in and out of midday traffic and pull into my private high-rise in the West End of Boston. I pull up to the garage gate, waving my wristwatch in front of the sensor, and the gate lifts. I take off to the second level of the garage, parking in my reserved spot next to my M-3.
I dismount and cross the garage to the elevator access room. I swipe my wrist on the sensor, and the door buzzes open. I enter the small room and press the elevator call button. I keep my helmet on until I’m in my apartment to avoid being recognized on the building's security footage, in case someone ever feels brave enough to try to find me.
The elevator arrives, and I step in, hitting floor seven. The doors close, and the trip to the seventh floor is quick; the doors open to a barren hallway. I exit the elevator and head down the hallway, enter my condo, take off my helmet, and set it on my dining table.
