by Lyza Ledo
Chapter 23: Strategic
Jayde
I don’t think I’ve ever been so bored or tired in my life. Why has this meeting been in progress for the last four hours? How many operational strategies did they possibly need? Wasn’t it simple Sy’s men attack, you attack?
“Okay men, let’s have an hour for lunch and we will regroup at one.” Kohl said looking just as exhausted as I felt. All of the men trudged out of the room, looking ragged at best. The room cleared and Kohl turned to me with a sag in his shoulders. “This is going to be a long day.” He complained running a hand through his thick, dark hair.
“Its’ okay, it’s not always pretty being in charge.” He smiled at my response.
“I had so many plans for us.” He said moving closer and touching my cheek.
“Like what?” I asked hoping there was some more alone time worked into his plans.
“I had wanted to have a swim and dinner in my quarters today.”
“Your quarters?” I repeated surprised.
“I thought I’d actually give you a tour of my living quarters since I’ve been so well acquainted with yours.” He teased. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as my heart rate picked up. Kohl had meant every word he had said and he wasn’t breaking his promises. Everything felt like it was going right again. “I’m not exactly sure when that will take place thanks to this bit of news.”
I nodded in understanding, “I’ll be here the whole time.” I said knowing it was my obligation as well as Kohl’s. I couldn’t leave every time something was boring I had to be around when times were tough and prove myself.
“Let’s get some lunch before they start coming back.” Kohl said grabbing my hand and leading me out of the meeting hall. I followed him up the massive staircase where he wandered through the hall all the way to his private quarters.
“I thought we were getting lunch.” I said coyly.
He smiled that sweet smile that seemed to be reserved only for me. “Since we will have a difficult time escaping for dinner I thought I would make us a quick lunch.” He pulled me through the large wooden doors. I looked around for the first time seeing where the man I loved spent so many hours. There was a living room with dark chocolate leather sofas. They were massive and seemed as if I would sink if I even attempted to sit on one. I looked around the room, all the walls were actually shelves with books brimming from each shelf.
“You have not read all of these books?” I asked walking further into the room and seeing a small ash wood side table with a reading lamp and another book that seemed to be in the process of being read.
“I have read most of them.” He answered with a chuckle. “I really enjoy reading it keeps me from thinking about everything that is worrying me and soothes me. I typically fall asleep with a book in hand.” He said rushing a hand through his beautiful dark hair again. He started to pull me along into his kitchen. In a word I would describe it as male. Ash wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a small pile of dishes yet to see the dishwasher.
Kohl opened the fridge in search for whatever he deemed was appropriate for our lunch. I nervously took a seat at the wooden breakfast table slid into the corner of the kitchen. I don’t know why feelings of nervousness overcame me. I hoped it was just because this was the first time I was actually in Kohl’s quarters. However, I felt my anxiety stemmed from the last time I was here, or at least near here. I turned my gaze from Kohl as I remembered seeing him with her, Shawna, the flawless ex. I tried to shake images of her away. Kohl had explained I had forgiven him. We were moving on. I needed to keep that in mind.
“How does frozen lasagna sound?” He asked pulling out a frozen dinner from his freezer and heading to the microwave.
“It’ exactly what I wanted.” I said and walked towards him. “I would eat dirt if it was with you.” I said as I kissed him.
“I promise this is better than dirt.” He said pulling me close to him again not ready to end our embrace. His delicious lips were a breath away I couldn’t resist. The world could be ending and if I was in Kohl’s arms, I'm sure I wouldn’t even notice. “You do know how difficult it is to do anything with you around.”
“Really? And why is that, your majesty?” I teased. He pulled me in for a long, earth shattering kiss that left me breathless. How could a man kiss like that and not have a herd of woman at his feet?
“Your very existence makes me lose concentration.” He said that smile of his gracing his handsome features once again.
Beep. “I guess that is lunch.” I said pulling from his embrace.
“I’m really sorry that we won’t have time for dessert.” He said eyeing me hungrily.
How could any warm blooded woman attempt to resist that?
“Maybe we should just skip lunch then.” I said running a hand down his large bicep at the suggestion, but Kohl seemed to snap out of our inappropriate repertoire and get back to what was important as he stepped away from me and grabbed two plates. He quietly went to work on slicing the lasagna completely ignoring what I had said to him. I sighed and moved back to the small table. He followed me and placed the two plates down, along with forks and napkins. He grabbed two water bottles and smiled as he sat down beside me.
“I hope you enjoy this, Jayde.” He said with a smile that wasn’t as private and a bit more diplomatic than I would have liked.
“Thank you.” I said and quietly ate.