Twenty Nine: The Kitchen Incident

When he saw her on the other side of his door, his heart fell. She was a sight for sore eyes, for sure, but her being there meant his night was taking an unexpected turn. He was enjoying his night too much for any altercation. A few drinks and three bars later, he still thought his night would've been better at home.

His heart and his mind was saying one thing, but his body couldn't resist her. He knew she wasn't faithful to him, even though he hasn't got any proof yet, but her behavior was sending all the signs. He knew he didn't have half much fun being with her than being with Julie, but Kelsey was still his girlfriend. If he ended it with Kelsey for no apparent reason, he would've come out as a jerk, and loose his friendship with Julie as a result.

So when they were back at his villa, in his bedroom, despite of all the scenarios he had played in his head, he succumbed to his bodily weakness. It was easy, it was quick, and it was good. The regret that came later was pretty much useless and unnecessary. He made love to his girlfriend while there's another girl in his mind. Just like so many others do.

He busied himself at Ardor the morning after, tried to steer clear from the two besties who were catching up and reconnecting. It will never be the same again to have a casual conversation with Kelsey and Julie, not with how sure he was with his feelings then. When they came to Ardor, he focused on his work, left Kelsey to mingle with his employees and Julie worked on her laptop.

Before he knew it, he heard loud laughs between Kelsey and her new friends, and the day ended with her going to the clubs with them. Julie locked herself in her room to draft her report while he took a book and overslept on the couch.

*********

The days after Kelsey left was not much different. Her visit was like a wake up call for the both of them. They find ways to distant themselves from each other and occupy their minds with distractions. Hoping the things they feel for each other would slowly fade away.

With every brush of skin, accidental touches, and innocent gaze, the task gets much harder. The coffee breaks they shared, the books they read, words that came out of their mouths sits well with one another. The more they tried to stay away, the more they wanted to get closer.

It was close to midnight, Ardor had been closed since 10 PM. Julie was doing her report in the office, Nathan was still working on his new recipe in the kitchen. Everyone else had gone home. She sat back on her chair and checked her watch. She closed her laptop and went to the kitchen.

She folded her arms in front of her watching Nathan decorated his food. Everything was misplaced, she was staring at an hour of cleaning at the very least.

"I was wondering if you were done ... I guess not?" she startled him.

"What time is it?"

"A little after twelve."

"Really? I lost track of time, these things took some time to master ... come and try this, I'm finally done with it but I need your taste bud, give me an honest review," he made hand gesture for her to come closer.

"That looks incredible ... what are those?"

Nathan had neatly plated the desert on the kitchen table. "These are tiny balls of heaven ... not that I will name them that," he laughed. "Chocolate base, obviously, filled with liquid gourmet coffee also mixed with a little bit of chocolate ... the other one is filled with oozing red syrup, a mixture of rum and strawberry ... and some other stuff I put in with different techniques." He went on explaining every delicious details he put in the desert. He made an accompanying red sauce that he drizzled on the plate. He cut through one of the balls, the liquid oozed out of it and looked as beautiful as a desert could look.

He scooped the piece with his spoon and fed it to her. She took it all in, and let it dissolved in her mouth. Her eyes widened, she devoured it slowly and let the mixture of taste exploded in her palette. Nathan waited for her comment, but she just couldn't open her mouth to do anything other than savoring the wonderful pleasure she's having inside.

She opened her palm as a sign for him to wait, and then she started to laugh. "Oh my God, how many did you make?"

"A few ... maybe five or six of each," he was still waiting for her review.

"I think I'm gonna have to taste some more, just to be sure, you know? Where are they?" she peeked over the table.

"Well ... are they good?" he was curious.

"Have you tasted these?" she asked.

"No, I just finished when you came in."

Julie furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head, "Oh they're terrible ... that's why I need to be sure, I have to take another bite, and then I want to try another one, see if they're consistent," she scooped the rest of the chocolate ball.

"Terrible? You're not serious, are you?" He opened the fridge and took out the other balls he made, he was going to take bite himself when Julie yanked the plate off his hand.

"No ... those are mine, you're gonna have to make more if you want to try it." She took one from the plate and shoved it in her mouth.

Nathan rested his hand on his waist, and pointed at her with another. "I see what you're doing, so I guess it's that good, huh?" he had a wide smile on his face.

She lifted her eyebrows and nodded, "I have never tasted anything this good in my entire life." She took another ball and put in inside her mouth.

"How's the texture? Is it moist enough? The coffee? Is it thick enough?"

She raised her palm and shook her head, "I can't explain in details, this is just really really really good, it that a good enough review?" She was talking with her mouth full.

"No ... I have to taste it than, I need the details see if it needs fixing or adjustment." He walked over to Julie, but she stepped away to avoid him. "Julie ... can you at least give me one? So I know what it taste like?" They started to circle the kitchen table.

"I don't know ... maybe ..." she looked at the plate, there were two more left. She took one, and ate it. "You know ... it's better if you make some more tomorrow, ad then everyone can taste it." She put the plate on the table and took the last piece with her hand.

"Do you know how long it takes to make them? Please tell me you're giving that to me?"

They stood across with each other, he stared at her half amused.

"If I eat this last one, does that mean you're gonna have to make more tomorrow? she had a playful look on her face.

Nathan put both hands on his waist, he was going to play her game. "If you eat that last one ... I'm gonna have to take it out of your mouth."

Julie looked serious, she thought for a moment. "No ... you wouldn't."

He leaned forward against the table, "You want to try it and find out?"

Her heart was racing, she didn't think it through. She held the last piece in her hand, and walked slowly to her left. Nathan was ready for the chase. She barely took three steps away when Nathan sprinted over to her and grabbed her by the waist. She screamed and laughed before he turned her around.

"Give me back my ball!"

That made her laugh even louder. She held the ball high as he tried to reach it but he kept dodging his hand. At some point, his eyes fell on hers. She didn't know how tempted he was to kiss her, but she felt it in his stare. She was terrified when he leaned his face closer to her, then she shoved the last piece of chocolate into his mouth. The look of shock on his face was priceless. She covered her mouth with one hand, but couldn't prevent her laugh from spilling out. "I'm sorry ..." still trying to control her laugh.

He chewed on the ball with an annoyed expression.

"I'm sorry ..." she was still laughing at him.

"You know I could've choked?" he attempted to make her feel guilty.

She tapped on his chest, still couldn't stop her laughing. "You should see the look on your face." She looked over her shoulder and realized Nathan's arms were still wrapped around her waist.

He wasn't going to let her go. His mind was racing, it was the closest he had ever been with her, and he didn't want it to end.

Their eyes met. They were silent this time. Her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.

"Nathan ... I think we should go now," she said.

He paused. He tried to process it. He wanted to say 'no', but he let go of her instead.

"I'll help you clean this out," she was back being casual.

Nathan looked down and draw a long breath, something was stuck in his stomach, and he couldn't get it out. He didn't say a word. Not in the kitchen, and not in the car all the way back to his villa.