He also seems to find my reactions and behaviours amusing, which is definitely a good thing. I can be a lot to handle.
One question lingers in my mind.
Is this just the chase to him?
If he catches me, then what?
Game over or just the beginning?
*****
I step into the kitchen of my family home and cringe when my mother calls out my name.
“Yes Mum?” I reply, reaching for one of the cookies my sister Layla baked.
She slaps my hand away. “How come you haven’t come to see us in a while? Are you dating someone? You should be married by now! I think you’ve put on weight.”
Annnnddd this was why I hardly ever come home.
“I’ve been busy with work. No boyfriend and no plan to marry anytime soon,” I tell her. I choose to ignore the weight comment because there is no point addressing that. “It also takes me a while to drive here, I can’t just drop by every time.”
“Why not? See your sister is already married to a great man and has a baby…”
I block her out after that and retreat to a happy place in my mind.
I hate that I see Saxon’s face as I opened the door and he was holding jam donuts in his hands.
Hmmmmm jam donuts.
I could really go for one right now.
That sweet gooey centre…
“Are you listening to me Tenielle?” she snaps.
I turn to her. “Of course I am.”
“Are you staying for dinner?” she asks. She cooked a typical Sri Lankan meal, so hell yeah I was staying for dinner.
“Yes I am. Where’s Dad?” I ask. He’s probably hiding out in the back because that’s what I’d be doing if I lived with her too.
“He’s out back working on his car,” she replies.
Bingo.
“Okay, I’m going to go say hello. Let me know when Layla gets here,” I tell her, walking out of that kitchen like it was on fire.
Seriously, that woman is going to be the death of me.
Chapter Ten
Saxon
I walk up to her apartment and knock on the door. After arriving home this morning, I unpacked, took a shower, and then came straight here. She was the first person I wanted to see. I haven’t even eaten yet, so I’m hoping she will feed me.
Fuck I have it bad.
The door opens and her head pops out. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks,” I tell her, my gaze greedily taking her in as she opens the door wider. “Have you got any plans today?”
It’s a Saturday, so I’m counting on her being free. I step inside her apartment, brushing my body against hers as I pass. I put my hands on her hips, holding her so she can’t move away.
“I missed you,” I admit to her, lifting my hand and tenderly cupping her cheek. My hand drops and gently grips her nape. “So f**king much.”
She raises her chin and stares into my eyes. “Why do you have to be so f**king hot and sweet?”
My face breaks out in a smile. “I’m glad you think so.”
“And to answer your question, I do have something planned today,” she says.
I can’t help the disappointment I feel at that.
“But…” she continues. “You’re more than welcome to come with me.”
My smile returns. “Sounds good to me. What are we doing?”
“It’s a surprise,” she replies. I let go of her neck and follow her into the kitchen. “I cooked lunch if you’re hungry.”
My stomach chooses that moment to rumble. Yep- I’m starving.
She smirks. “It’s in the oven, help yourself. I’m just going to get dressed.”
“You cooked again?” I ask, giving her a pointed look.
She rolls her eyes. “I was hungry and sick of takeout.”
I open the oven and see a delicious looking lasagne. “Well I for one am very thankful for that.”
She smiles but says nothing before exiting the room. I serve myself an extra-large piece, smother it in tomato sauce, and get to work. Tee walks out of her room a few minutes later dressed in ripped, worn jeans, a tight black t-shirt, and sneakers.
“We’re going somewhere casual then?” I ask as I finish my last bite.
“Yup,” she replies. “You ready to go?”
I rinse my plate and put it in the dishwasher, grab a drink out of her fridge, and nod my head. “I’m ready. And thanks for lunch, the food was delicious.”
She smiles at me. “Don’t get used to it.”
“I won’t,” I tell her, amused. “Next time I’ll cook, how about that?”
“Sounds good to me, now let’s get going or we’re going to be late.”
We both get into her car and head to an unknown destination.
*****
I look around at the screaming kids and shake my head. I wasn’t expecting this, that’s for sure. I laugh as Tee runs by, pointing her laser gun at one of her baby cousins and shoots.
“Got you, you little devil!” she calls out to the kid, then commences with her victory dance, which consists of her waving her arms in the air and doing some weird thing with her legs. She looks adorable in the camouflage t-shirt she put on when we got here, and she has on a hat with the laser counter and sound effects. I laugh at her, until one of her other cousins runs up behind me and jumps on my back, distracting me. Tenielle has a huge-ass family, and apparently it was her turn to chaperone a day out for the kids. She chose laser tag, because she’s just awesome like that.