"Come taste this," Catelyn said, holding out a cookie she'd just taken from the tray.
Silas opened his mouth and she fed him a bite. He chewed. It was delicious — warm, chocolate and butter melting on his tongue. He was impressed.
"How does it taste?" she asked, eager for his reply.
"It tastes nice," he replied.
"Really?" Her black eyes twinkle with joy.
"Yes. Really." He liked her baking it tasted delicious.
Catelyn smiled and grabbed a cookie for herself wanting to taste it. She took a bite. "It is nice," she said, munching, glancing at him.
Silas stood beside her. "Yeah, it is." He took another from the tray. They ate in silence for a second.
"You're such a good baker," Silas said.
"Well, I'm trying," she said smiling at him his gaze on her, Catelyn turning to tidy the kitchen table. Flour dusted the surface.
"And I'm not good at this baking stuff." Silas said.
"You'll get used to it if you keep baking and follow the recipe," she said, carrying the bowl to the sink. Silas doubted it. He sucked at baking. He helped her with cleaning and saw Catelyn was wiping down the counter beside him, Silas grabbed her waist and lifted her onto it. His eyes held a sensual, wanting look. His soft lips pressed to hers, and she kissed him back. His hand slid under her shirt.
"Silas, not now," she said when they broke apart from the kiss, though she wanted to continue. "We have cleaning to do." She met his disappointed face. He was frustratingly handsome, she thought.
Annoyed, Silas pulled back. "Okay." He headed off to clean, and Catelyn smiled. She knew he wanted her.
"I did find those times baking fun," Catelyn confessed, back in the present.
"I did too," Silas said.
A beat of silence lingered in the air as Catelyn watched herself on the mirror tying her hair and Silas felt pang of saddness in his heart he didn't have her as a girlfriend of what they used to be.
"I have to go, Silas." Cateln said planning to bath in her warm alloes water.
"Okay. Take care."
"You too."
"Yeah, I will."
The call ended. Silas looked at his phone. Deep down, he was glad he was moving on from their past.
Caitlyn stared at her screen, guilt somewhat twisted in her chest like she'd hurt him. She felt terrible even though she didn't realize it. In the mirror, her dark eyes held that guilt that she didn't come to realize.
Catelyn met her own eyes in the mirror. She shouldn't feel guilty that was all in the past, She was moving on. He was moving on just fine, and she told herself she didn't mind and her heart was closed from him.
She shoved the thought of Silas down. She was leaving anyway. Without him.
Her hand kept moving, combing her hair.
Later that day, night had fallen.
In the apartment, Elsa lay on the bed thinking of that night with Jordin, her eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Jordin having sex with her—she felt guilty. Recalling the way he had looked at her panties, she knew it was wrong of her to feel cheap when he slept with her and she recoiled internally, but she had to dismiss what happened between them. She pushed it aside; letting it eat at her heart would do nothing for her now. It was done.
She turned onto her side, thinking thoroughly about that night with Jordin. She did get her transaction, and it had felt immensely pleasurable with the way he touched her. She felt the space between her thighs dripping with desire as she recalled the moment he slipped his hand into her folds. Her insides squirmed with heat, but Elsa knew she had to abstain from such dirty thoughts—especially the fact that he had even touched her like that.
She didn't want to think about it anymore. Steering her mind toward sleep, she told herself it was far better to focus on healthy things, not just sex.
Days flew by at the bookstore. Elsa thought about buying Lucy some books since she knew Lucy liked comics, especially sci-fi comics. The money Jordin had given her was quite a lot—enough, she felt, for both their needs. She believed he had gotten what he wanted from her and wouldn't come back. She didn't want to dwell on the past weeks or the sex they had shared. Now, her thoughts turned to applying for college, then maybe buying a small house where she and Lucy could live, and a car to help with daily activities. She also decided to buy a book for herself.
That day, in their apartment living room, Lucy sat on the rugged wooden floor watching a TV show. Her attention shifted to Elsa, who stood beside the table where Lucy was resting her arms.
"I got you some comics," Elsa said, pulling out several sci-fi comics from her bag. Lucy hoped they were the ones with robots and sci-fi themes. Her excitement grew as Elsa placed them on the table.
Taking the comics, Lucy's green eyes scanned the covers. Elsa had bought five for her to read.
"Thanks, Elsa," Lucy said, looking at her friend who smiled, happy to see her pleased.
"You didn't have to," Lucy added, captivated by the books.
"I remember you liked sci-fi comics in high school and always borrowed them from the library, so I thought I'd get some for you." Lucy flipped through the covers, her heart blooming with happiness.
"Do you like them?" Elsa asked.
"Yes! I love them. Thank you so much. You're the best," Lucy said, gratitude shining in her eyes.
"You're welcome," Elsa replied. "I need to tidy up my room now."
"Okay," Lucy said, turning back to her comics. They looked so interesting, she planned to read them before bed.
In Elsa's room, she smiled as she folded her bedspread. Lucy loved her gift it made her pleased. Then she set the spread on her bed and began tidying her scattered clothes. Her room had a decent amount of space, with a wardrobe, a dressing table with a mirror on the wall, a lamp on her bedside table, and a window across from her bed. Books lined the shelves.
Rosa's Club
Some weeks later, the room pulsed with boisterous music. A stripper in a lacy gold bra and matching panties worked the floor while people drank and danced. Elsa stood behind the bar, cleaning glasses.
Jordin arrived at the club after a packed schedule, seeking company. Sitting in the VIP room, he thought of Elsa. He'd been pleased with her performance the other night and wanted her again. He remembered her eyes—brown, almost mystical. Her moans had been a sweet melody in his ears. Her body had felt soft and fresh beneath his touch. He liked the way she responded to him.
"Get me Elsa," he ordered the staff.
"Yes, sir," the waiter replied. As a VIP member, Jordin was well-known by the VIP staff.
Elsa was serving drinks when the VIP waiter leaned in and whispered, "Mr. Jordin said you should come to the VIP room."
Her stomach flipped. She hadn't expected him to ask for her again. The message wasn't entirely clear—did he want her to serve him drinks? Her heart pounded as she hesitated, wondering if going was a good idea. Eventually, she headed to the VIP room, anxious and aware that he was back.
The bodyguard recognized her and let her in. Jordin's hands rested casually on the armchair as he gave her a lazy gaze seeing the lady who stepped into the room.
"You called for me?" her voice was gentle.
"Come closer," he ordered, as if expecting her.
She walked toward him, noticing his drinks on the table. She thought he wanted her to serve them. He sat on the couch, waiting.