“I decided to work from home today. How about I make you breakfast?” It was a long shot, but I was going for it anyway.
“I can do you one better,” she said.
“Yeah?” I tossed the blanket from my legs and got out of bed.
“You want some company? We could use your place as both our offices today. And still, have breakfast, of course.” I stepped into my bathroom with a smile on my face.
“Let’s do that.”
“Text me your address, and I’ll be there in an hour.” We ended the call, and I sent her a text with my location attached. Feeling more awake than I had been five minutes ago, I cut the shower on and got ready for what I felt would be an eventful day.
“What else can you cook?” she asked with a mouthful of blueberry pancakes.
Laughing, I picked up my orange juice, but before taking a sip, I said, “I can make a little bit of everything.”
“Who taught you?”
“You’re probably expecting me to say my mom or grandmother, but it was my Uncle Umar.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, between him, my Uncle York, and my mom, they taught me all I know.” Umar would tell me that being able to take care of myself without a woman’s help was important because when I did meet the one, I would have more than hard dick and headaches to offer. My mother wasn’t very fond of some of his teachings, but she never tried stopping him. It wouldn’t have worked anyway. My uncles did as they pleased at all times.
“Your uncles are important to you, huh?” I nodded.
“I am who I am because of them.” I glanced between my empty plate and hers and then stood. “I’ll—"
“No, let me clean this up, and you can start working.” I shook my head, but she wasn’t having it. “That wasn’t an opening for you to fight me about it. I got the dishes, Roman.”
Not waiting for me to respond, she collected the plates, stacking them on top of each other, and then did the same with the cups. I watched as she set them in the sink and cut the water on. She was dressed down today in black leggings and a white crop top, with half of her hair pulled into a bun and the other half down. The black Adidas she’d worn were sitting by the front door, where she abandoned them the minute she stepped into my place. If this week taught me anything, it was that Blossom wasn’t a fan of shoes.
The urge to touch her hit me, and I walked up behind her, wrapping one arm around her waist, pulling her body into mine. She stopped moving and glanced over her shoulder.
“Anybody ever tell you how sexy you look when you’re dressed down like this?” I had no idea who I was anymore. She had me saying and doing shit that... Blossom simply had me acting differently. One week. It’s been one fucking week.
“No, but I’m not opposed to hearing it,” she said, turning in my arms. I glanced down at her wet hands that were pressed up against my shirt and then back at her. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” I muttered, leaning in closer. Our lips brushed up against one another, but I didn’t move in further for more.
“Y-you’re—"
“I’m what?”
“So close.” I smirked.
“Does that make you feel uncomfortable?”
“No,” she answered without pause. “It’s just... when you’re this close it sort of turns me on.” Her eyes were slightly widened as she spoke. “And—"
“Only sort of? I’m doing something wrong then.” I pressed my lips into hers, stealing a quick kiss. Stepping back, I said, “I’ll have to work on that.”
“You’re something else,” she said, laughing.
“Is that a good or a bad thing?”
“Oh, it’s a good thing.” Smiling, I started walking away. I really did have a lot of work to get done, and if I stayed in here fucking with her, I wouldn’t accomplish a thing today.
“You turn me on too, BB,” I expressed, while on the move. “Just wanted you to know that the feeling is mutual.” I moved down the hall and into one of the bedrooms, I was turning into a home office. All of my furniture and supplies weren’t here yet, but I had what was important. I sat behind my desk and turned on the Mac desktop. While I waited for it to wake up, I grabbed my phone and called Patricia.
“Mr. Fiel—I mean Roman, what can I do for you?” I made sure to program my number on her desk phone one night. She insisted that I didn’t need to, but I did it anyway, and I was glad that I had.
“There’s a document on my desk that I was working on before leaving yesterday. Can you scan it and email it to me in a password-protected file.”
“Your door is locked, and I don’t have—"
“I placed a copy of the key in your desk. Guard that with your life.”
The sound of her moving and then a drawer being pulled opened could be heard. And then she said, “I have it, and I’ll be sure to keep it safe. Are you working from home today?”
“I am. If you or anyone else needs me, forward them to this number.”
“Will do. And I will get that document over to you right away.” She paused. “Tell Blossom congrats on the new addition.” I smiled. Before leaving yesterday, I clued her in on why. I didn’t need to, but I felt inclined to for some reason.
“The next time I see her, I’ll be sure to do that.”
I ended the call and glanced up. Blossom was there, leaning against the doorframe.
“Patricia says congrats on the new addition.”
“I like her,” she replied.
“Yeah, me too.” Her eyes danced around the room and then landed on me again.
“This is going to be a nice space when you’re finished. I’ll have to buy you a housewarming gift.”
“You don’t have to.” She shook her head and crossed her arms.
“I know I don’t have to, but I want to.”
“Alright,” I said, nodding. She smiled, and I chuckled. “Go before we both get nothing done today.” I’d set her up in my living room before we had breakfast. We both agreed that working in the same room and outside of an actual office environment would only be distracting.
“I’ll see you at lunch, Ro.” She walked away, and I pulled on my beard. Sexy ass.
A couple of hours later, I made my way to the living room to find Blossom on the phone.
“No Jason, that won’t work for me.” She glanced my way and smiled. “You’re on your own with that one I have enough on my plate. Give it to one of the interns. Nope, I won’t be coming in at all today. Uh, huh and…” I left her to it and went into the kitchen to figure out what we’ll eat for lunch. I had it in my mind to actually make something, but when I spotted the menu to a pizza spot I’d tried my first night here on my counter, I grabbed it.
“So, what’s for lunch?” she asked. I looked over my shoulder and held up the menu.
“You down for pizza and wings.”
“I’m always down for that.” She moved to stand in front of me and took the menu. “Can we get cheesy bread too?”
“We can have whatever you want.”