by Elias Taylor
Cleo’s enthusiasm was contagious, and Kayla gushed about her plan for the menu and decor for the rest of the lunch. In typical perfectionist fashion, Kayla wanted to blow Tristen away with a home-cooked meal and delicious wine.
Kayla didn’t cook extravagant meals often, preferring to keep her meals simple and healthy. She did enjoy cooking though, when she had the time for it. Something about gathering all the right ingredients and presenting the meal with a nice aesthetic was appealing to Kayla.
“I’m going to leave the office at 5 on the dot today,” Kayla said. “So I have time.”
“Good,” Cleo said.
Kayla glanced at her watch. The lunch hour was almost over.
“So I had better head back soon,” Kayla said. “So I get everything done this afternoon.”
The friends paid the bill and walked out to the sidewalk.
“Seriously, thanks for having lunch with me,” Cleo said. “I really appreciate it.”
A sudden burst of affection for her friend hit Kayla, and she reached out to give Cleo a big hug.
After they parted ways, Kayla speed-walked back to the office. She wanted to be back at her desk before 1. She might be less stressed, but she wasn’t going to lose all her habits after all. Tristen wouldn’t want her to anyway. He had commented more than once how much he admired her commitment and hard work. He had even asked for advice on how he could best advance in his workplace. Kayla had been flattered and ready to dole out her hard-earned wisdom.
She reflected on Cleo’s observations about her lack of stress. She realized that she probably hadn’t made it easy on Cleo over the years, between her constant cancellation of plans because of work and her neverending stressing about her plan.
Kayla realized that she hadn’t just been sacrificing romantic relationships in the past few years. She had been pushing her friendships and familial relationships to the side, and compromising them.
She resolved that there would be no more of that. Cleo was getting weekly lunches. Or at least a lunch every other week. Kayla would also stop bailing on weekend plans, within reason.
Her relationship with Tristen might very well go down in flames. Kayla might end up in a pit of heartbreak and pain that would distract from her work.
Cleo, on the other hand, would never break her heart.
Chapter Sixteen: Falling
Tristen agreed to grab a quick drink with Perry after work. It was Friday after all.
“Just one though,” Tristen said. “I’m meeting Kayla at 7.”
Perry settled into his seat and ordered them both beers.
“I can not believe this is working out between you two,” Perry said.
Tristen shook his head as he took a swig of beer. Even he was still marveling at how things had developed. Perry, who knew exactly what a bizarre beginning the relationship had, was entitled to his shock.
The last two weeks had been amazing. Kayla had opened up and been more than willing to continue dating. Tristen could tell she always had a great time with him, and she hadn’t mentioned his being a distraction once.
Tristen just wasn’t sure if it was temporary. He just knew that he wanted to keep things going the way they had been going.
He was serious about Kayla. Yes, it was new, but he was more than willing to commit at least for the foreseeable future.
“It has been crazy,” Tristen admitted to his friend.
“Well, I’m really happy for you,” Perry said. “I hope it keeps going well.”
“Me too,” Tristen said. “It feels so solid right now, I just hope nothing happens to derail it.”
“And does she feel good about it?” Perry said.
“Yeah, I think so,” Tristen said. “She’s obviously very focused on work, but she seems happy.”
“I gotta say, I’m a fan,” Perry said. “The way you were looking at her at that work dinner, I thought you were an amazing actor, but now I guess you weren’t acting.”
Tristen chuckled. The work event already seemed like it had been so long ago. He had barely begun to get to know Kayla in all her complexities.
“And you seem happy too,” Perry said. “You’ve changed, it’s almost like you’ve gotten a boost in your morale.”
Tristen shrugged. It was true that Kayla had helped his perspective at work. He no longer felt like he was fighting an uphill battle towards an unattainable goal. He had broken the climb down into key milestones, and now he had a better sense of how to get to the top. Plus, Kayla’s trick with motivation helped him. He didn’t envision travel destinations like her, but he thought of what he wanted in five years. A nice home and a way to provide for his family.
“I guess I’m not freaking out as much at work,” Tristen said.
“Totally,” Perry said. “I, on the other hand, need to quit soon.”
Tristen laughed as Perry launched into his hundredth speech on how he was just going to storm out one day.
After they had finished their drinks, Tristen said goodbye and headed for the door.
He drove straight to her apartment. Tristen was aware that it was a big deal for Kayla to offer to cook a whole meal for him at her home. So far, all their dates had been going out to meals or movies or taking a ride, followed by some heavy kissing at his place or hers.
This felt significant. This felt intimate.
When he arrived, Kayla beamed as she opened the door.
“Ok, wine is open,” Kayla said. “Have a glass, but no helping, just sit down and relax.”
Tristen smiled as he poured himself a glass of red wine.
“You sure I can’t dice any vegetables or anything?” he asked.
“Absolutely not,” Kayla said. “And when you cook for me, I won’t help you.”
Tristen sat down at the kitchen counter and watched Kayla bustle about the kitchen. He had been honest with Perry. Kayla seemed happy with him, but he still wasn’t sure. Tristen knew at some point they would have to address some issues. Her hesitancy about relationships and aversion to distractions hadn’t just vanished. Kayla had set them to the side, but Tristen would be an idiot to ignore them. He would have to help her sort through how she felt at some point.
For now, he was going to enjoy the sight of her stirring a pot of sauce and turning to grab more salt. She had changed out of her work clothes and into a loose-fitting green dress that showed off her long legs. As far as Tristen was concerned, the dinner was already romantic. Nothing was better than watching her beautiful body as she cooked.
Kayla was making homemade spaghetti, and Tristen was shocked when she pulled out a pasta making machine and started to push the dough through.
“I didn’t know you had that,” Tristen said.
“Isn’t it great?” Kayla said.
She grinned at Tristen while she turned the wheel.
“I took a class last year,” Kayla said.
Tristen shook his head in amazement. Kayla had taken at least a dozen classes on random skills. Cooking, knitting, painting, you name it. She truly was a well-rounded individual. He couldn’t believe that a few short weeks ago, he had thought her to be obsessed with her job and nothing else.
Kayla served the homemade spaghetti and sauce on her dining room table, with candles casting a warm glow over the meal.
Instead of sitting across from Tristen in a formal set up, Kayla set her plate down right next to him so that their knees touched under the table. It made Tristen remember that evening at the work event when she had seen he needed encouragement and reached out.
He reached out and grazed Kayla’s arm with his knuckles.
“Hey, focus on the meal,” she said.
But she was smiling, so Tristen snaked his hand up her arm and then around her waist.
“Thank you,” he said.
The spaghetti was delicious, but Tristen could only vaguely appreciate it. Most of his mind was consumed by watching Kayla put dainty bites into her mouth and admiring the way her lips scrunched up when she chewed.
<
br /> They talked about work and weekend plans. When they were almost done eating, Kayla cleared her throat.
“I actually wanted to ask you about something,” she said.
Tristen nodded. Kayla furrowed her brow and clasped her hands in front of her on the table. Tristen now knew that pose indicated she was gathering her thoughts in preparation to say something important.
“I really like you,” Kayla said. “And I’ve had a great time these past two weeks, and I have been thinking, and I’ve decided that I want to be monogamous with you.”
“We are monogamous,” Tristen said. “Or I am.”
Kayla’s shoulders dropped as she heaved a huge sigh of relief.
“Oh thank God, ok, I thought so,” she said. “But Cleo said you never could know with guys, and it’s been a while since I’ve dated so I wasn’t sure.”
Tristen reached out and touched her cheek with his fingertips, and Kayla’s babbling stopped as her lips curved into a soft smile.
“I’m all in, Kayla,” Tristen said. “I want to do this for real, no more blackmailing or negotiation or faking.”
Kayla nodded.
“Ok,” she said. “I’m still nervous about a serious relationship, but I don’t want any more blackmailing either. I’m ready to give this a try, but I want to take it slow.”
Tristen leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Just as he was about to pull away, Kayla leaned into him and flicked her tongue across his bottom lip. Tristen felt a knot of arousal in his stomach, and he deepened his kiss, wrapping his hand around the back of her neck as he did so.
When he pulled away, Tristen gave Kayla a sultry smile.
“I can do slow,” he said.
Kayla gave him a flirtatious raise of her eyebrows, and then picked up her fork to take another bite of pasta. As she chewed her past, Tristen felt her bare foot slide up and down his leg.
He wanted her. They hadn’t had sex since that first time at the hotel, but he felt it was coming soon. He had been craving her at every single date, but he was happy to go at her pace. Every time they had kissed, fireworks had gone off in his head. Every touch was like electricity.
“Maybe not too slow,” Kayla said.
At her words, Tristen felt the tightening of his erection.
He set aside his fork and scooted his chair even closer to Kayla so he could place a line of gentle kisses along her neck. She giggled and sighed as he found a sensitive spot at the nape of her neck.
Kayla’s fingers wandered up his thigh in smooth strokes.
In a flash, Tristen moved his hand from her neck to the hem of her skirt.
“Tristen, I’m still eating,” Kayla said.
Her thigh was warm and inviting, and Tristen quickly pushed his hand under her skirt until his fingers were fiddling with the hem of her panties.
“You can keep eating,” he whispered. “I’m just having some fun.”
Kayla gasped in surprise when he pushed one finger inside her underwear to stroke her fleshy folds.
“Sorry, did you not like that?” Tristen teased.
Kayla let out a little hum and scooted closer to Tristen in her chair.
“No, I liked it,” she said.
Tristen played with her while she finished her pasta. When she was done, he pulled his hand out from under her skirt and captured her mouth with his own.
Kayla pulled away and started to stand up.
“I almost forgot, I have dessert,” she said.
Before he could depart for the kitchen, Tristen snatched her wrist and pulled her down into his lap.
“You’re my dessert,” he murmured into her hair.
Kayla let out a laugh, and Tristen kissed her smiling visage, over and over. She situated herself in his lap with her legs dangling over the chair and wrapped her arms around his shoulder.
They kissed for long moments, Tristen’s desire grew stronger and stronger.
He wanted her. He wanted every inch of her. He wanted her in all her glory. He wanted her with all her drive and ambition and laughter.
With a soft grunt, Tristen pushed back from the table and stood up, with Kayla still cradled in his arms. She let out a soft cry and clung even tighter to his neck.
“I won’t drop you,” Tristen said.
“I know,” Kayla said.
With confident strides, Tristen walked to the bedroom. Kayla had already kicked off her shoes at the table, and her bare feet swung in the air. Tristen set Kayla down on the bed and watched as she leaned back on her elbows.
Her hair fell in shining dark waves around her shoulders, and she looked up at him with such depth of feeling that Tristen swayed with emotion.
He slowly unbuttoned his shirt, and Kayla scooted to the edge of the bed and pulled her dress over her head.
Tristen marveled at her body. Their first time had faded into blur due to the alcohol. But now he was clear-headed, and he soaked in every inch of her gleaming skin. Kayla reached out and grabbed his hand so she could tug him down onto the bed next to her.
They kissed for a long time, Tristen savoring the taste and feel of her.
Outside, the sun had set, and Kayla’s room was dim. Only the glow of the bedside lamp offered any light.
The air seemed to waver and soften around them, adding a hazy warmth to their tender touches.
When Tristen began to stroke her clitoris, he relished her wetness. And when Kayla touched his iron flesh with her hand, he bit back a moan of delight.
With his fingers, he took Kayla nearly to the edge. Then he pulled off her panties, while he fluttered kisses along her stomach and thighs.
Kayla gripped his head in her hands and pulled him on top of her until they were looking straight into each other’s eyes.
“I want to see you,” she said.
A blossom of warmth bloomed in Tristen’s chest and spread throughout his body.
He kept stroking Kayla with his fingers as he entered her. She sighed in contentment as he sunk into her soothing depths.
They moved together in a sensual rhythm, and Tristen never took his eyes off her face.
Kayla gripped Tristen’s shoulders and looked at him with something bordering ferocity.
“Tristen,” she murmured. “I’m falling for you.”
A smile spread across Kayla’s face just before her breathing began to hike. Tristen felt her clench around him as her orgasm began, and he descended into his ecstasy seconds after.
With blissful moans, they came at the same time. Kayla dug her fingers into his skin as she cried out in delight, and Tristen spent himself deep inside her. His entire world shrunk to just her. She was everything.
Afterward, they lay in each other’s arms, skin to skin. Kayla rested her cheek against his chest. Tristen gripped her with one arm. He never wanted to let go.
“Kayla,” Tristen whispered. “I’m falling for you too.”
She didn’t answer, but Tristen felt her cheek press into his chest as she smiled.
Chapter Seventeen: Unrest
Kayla ducked into the bathroom at her office. She peaked underneath the doors of the stalls to make sure she was alone and then kicked her heels off. They had been pinching her feet all day.
She felt awful. Just before heading to the bathroom, she had truly thought she might throw up at her desk. She had caught a whiff of someone’s tuna sandwich, and her entire stomach had gone into a rebellion.
Kayla placed her hands on the cool marble sink and looked into the mirror. A sheen of sweat coated her forehead.
She glanced down as her phone buzzed. It was a text from Tristen asking if they were still on to meet after work. It had been two weeks since they had declared monogamy and taken things to the next level during the dinner at her apartment, and they had spent just about every night together. Kayla knew it wasn’t exactly taking things slow, but she didn’t even care anymore.
She had already moved an emergency change of work clothes to his place, and he had put some of his things
in a drawer at hers. It was a lot to spend so many nights together, but she couldn’t keep her hands off Tristen, nor could he seem to refrain from making love to her. And afterward, the idea of crawling out of a warm bed or watching him leave her alone was simply devastating.
She quickly called him back.
“Hey,” Kayla said.
“Are you alright?” Tristen asked.
His voice was strained and nervous. She never called him during work hours, so she figured he thought it was an emergency.
“I’m fine,” Kayla said. “I just don’t feel well, I think I have to cancel dinner.”
“What do you think it is?” Tristen asked.
“I’m just nauseous,” Kayla said. “I think I might be coming down with a stomach flu.”
As she spoke, her stomach heaved again, and Kayla took a steadying breath. She put Tristen on speaker and placed the phone down. She grabbed a paper towel and ran it under the faucet before placing the damp cloth against her face. It soothed her fevered skin but did little to help the ache in her stomach.
“You should get home and rest,” Tristen said. “I know you’ve got a big workload this week, but think how unprofessional it will be if you throw up during a meeting.”
“Oh God, don’t jinx me,” Kayla moaned.
Kayla touched her fingers to her aching head. It was still warm despite the cool cloth. She was so tired she felt like she might fall over. This was the flu for sure, and it had hit fast.
“I think I will go home though,” Kayla said. “Ugh, I’ve never left the office early.”
Tristen chuckled and the sound of his laughter through the phone made an automatic smile pop onto Kayla’s face, despite her illness.
“You’re like that kid who never missed a day of school,” Tristen said. “It’s crazy the amount of hours you work and how few personal days you take.”
“Hey, I’m proud of my perfect attendance,” Kayla said. “But I know everyone in the office will have my head if I stay and spread the flu around.”
“That’s true,” Tristen said.
Kayla paused. She still wanted to see Tristen, but she knew it was a lot to ask him to swing by and visit her. He would be risking infection.