A Change in Direction: Chapter Ten

2/13/2020

A Change in Direction: Chapter Ten

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Chapter Ten

“What do you want to eat?” I asked as I playfully shook my shoulders at him so that my breasts jiggled slightly. The action got his attention, but I knew the word that would just finish him. “Master.”

“Hm… You.” He grabbed for my waist, but I pulled away from his flirtatious handling. I blew him an overly drawn out and dramatic kiss as I did.

Shaking my head, I thought about how he said it was too soon earlier in the morning. I didn’t want that to happen again. “I don’t think I’m on the menu yet. Are you really hungry, though?” I asked more seriously. “I can make you something to eat, you know.”

“I don’t have anything in the house.” He shrugged, still walking after me slowly. When he got close enough, I gently pushed away and practically skipped to the other side of the kitchen. He frowned but knew he had to answer my question. “But yes, I’m hungry.”

“I’m sure you have something.” I went over to the fridge and popped it open, bending over to peek inside. Everyone kept certain staples that were enough to make breakfast, usually. Eggs, bread, cheese...

His refrigerator was almost entirely bare except for a jar of mustard, mayo, and half a glass bottle of ketchup.

“Told you,” he remarked rather smugly. It was as if he enjoyed being a lazy bachelor.

“Do you not cook for yourself at all?” He only raised an eyebrow in answer, smirking slightly. “Really? Not at all? What if you’re hungry at three in the morning?”

“There is always something open.” Edward shrugged as if it was simple. I supposed to him it was.

“Okay. Well, we’ve got to get you some groceries. I don’t mind eating out, but sometimes I like a home-cooked meal. It’s healthier and cheaper.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m not worried about that part. Do you know how to cook? Because if I do, things burn. It often damages property. Bad stuff happens. And the insurance people yell at me. A lot.” Edward was trying to be funny.

I smirked. “Yes, I do a ton. It’s mostly just comfort and southern food, but it’s tasty. I can go later and stock you up,” I ignored him, shaking my head. “I can’t believe a grown-ass man can’t cook anything for himself.” I shut his embarrassment of a refrigerator with a thud.

Edward came a little closer. “We can do that today if you wish,” he suggested lightly.

Turning, I gazed at him in surprise. “You said you wanted me here around three on the weekdays, right? I can go next week, so I won’t bore you.”

“I have a feeling being with you will never be boring, no matter what we’re doing.”

“Must you be so charming?” I rolled my eyes dramatically. He chuckled but blushed, his cheeks becoming a faint pink. I came to his spot by the island and leaned against him, my chest to his as I looked up at him. It was so strange to be next to someone so tall. “I can make us dinner tonight if we go.”

Pursing his lips for a moment, he peered down at me with a tiny grin. He pushed my hair out of my eyes. “I guess I need to work you harder.” He bit his bottom lip impishly, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “And there is no time like the present.”

His hands moved over my hips to the small of my back as he held me to him. It felt so natural and comfortable. I wanted him to kiss me. Right then, I realized how stupid it was for me to think for even a second it was going to be just business for me. All my thoughts on Thursday went out the window.

“Oh, this is going to end so badly,” I mumbled sardonically, burying my face in his sweater. His chest rumbled with soft laughter.

“You’re probably correct,” he whispered in my ear. “But it’s better to try, and fail, than not have had any adventure at all. Right?”

I tilted my face to the side slightly so that our cheeks brushed. “Is that your motto?” I asked teasingly.

“No,” he drew out in a dry tone. “My motto is to never ask what’s in the meal if you like it.”

Laughing, I pushed my face into his chest harder. He chuckled before kissing the top of my head and speaking into my hair, the warmth spread through my scalp. “Let’s go get something to eat, and then I want to go to the store with you. Afterward, I’ll take you on a tour of my home. A real one.”

“And what about after that?”

“Hm…” He considered it for a moment. “I guess we’ll wait and see.” He pressed his lips to my locks again. “Can I apologize for last night? For being such an ass. I’m not used to dealing with these kinds of emotions, and I tend to panic and run. It’s not an excuse.”

I glanced up. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more sensitive.”

He shook his head quickly. “You did nothing wrong. I was overly so, and I realize that. You merely spoke the truth, and it hit too close to home. But you are more than likely right. I am more comfortable with you because of how this started. But it doesn’t mean I like that about myself. It suggests far more about me than I care to admit.”

“What do you think it says?”

“That I don’t know how to be in a relationship with a woman.”

“Edward, have you ever had a serious one before?”

Shrugging, he blushed. “Nothing more than a few weeks at a time. Everyone expects me to be something else, and when I’m not, it frustrates them. Both male or female, but women especially expect me to be this bigger than life, loud, partying, playboy, or whatever. I don’t know. I don’t like to party, and I don’t enjoy that lifestyle. And I never want to be that person. It keeps me from making friends, too.”

“What kind of man do you wish to be?” I pressed as I ran my finger over his cheek softly. Humming quietly, he closed his eyes. His red lashes fluttered against his pale skin.

“The kind worthy of a woman like you.” I flushed and looked away, but he placed his hand on my chin and brought my mouth up to his. The moment was slow and sweet, just tiny pecks. “Shall we go to eat then? Breakfast or lunch?”

Nodding, I leaned forward for more. “Whatever you want.”

Sighing, he gave me what I desired and deepened our kiss for a moment. “Breakfast for lunch. Nothing wrong with that.” He grinned like a boy before pecking my forehead. Edward tugged on my hand gently. “Okay. I’m going to get my shoes. Oh, shall I call a driver, or would you prefer me to drive us?”

“It’s up to you.”

His smirk grew wicked. “Oh, good. I haven’t driven in a couple of weeks. I don’t get to because... well, you’ll see.”

“What?” I chuckled at his expression. “Why?”

“No, no. You’ll see.” With that, he dashed out of the kitchen to fetch his shoes. “I’ll pull the SUV around,” Edward shouted. “If we’re shopping, we’ll need the room.”

“HOLY SHIT! MOTHER OF GOD! WOULD YOU SLOW THE FUCK DOWN?!” I shrieked at him as he revved it to almost ninety on the interstate about ten minutes later. “You’re going to kill us!”

“Oh, don’t be dramatic,” he chuckled, switching lanes again. “Honestly, this is nothing. I’ve got this one…” He trailed off and sighed longingly. “Mm, it can move.”

I gripped onto the handles as tightly as I could. “SUVs have the highest rollover rate. Seriously. Okay! You’ve proven your point. Slow the fuck down! NOW!”

He clicked his tongue and brought his speed down to about seventy. Edward looked over at me, his voice challenging. “Better?”

“Watch the road,” I stated as calmly as possible. I wasn’t proud of my squeaky tone. My heart was fluttering wildly.

“This isn’t why I don’t often. I don’t drive because of the tickets,” he corrected with a sniff of disdain.

“I can see why. Do you always speed like a psychopath?”

Laughing, he relaxed in his seat with one hand on the wheel. “Aw, such cutting words, Ms. Swan. Am I that bad?”

“Yes.” I frowned. We then turned off into a residential area, and he brought it down more, but not below the limit. I grabbed onto the bar above my head once more and glared over him in annoyance. “I’m never riding in a car you’re driving again.”

Edward chuckled almost devilishly. “You know, my father and stepmother have said the same thing.”

“I imagine that’s because they’re intelligent people.”

Then he did something very childish as he pulled to a stop in front of a local eatery. He stuck his tongue out at me, making me giggle. He laughed as well and released his seat belt so he could lean over to kiss me on the cheek. I relished the contact, caressing his in return.

We ate our brunch before going to one of the nicer grocery stores in town. Thankfully, it was only a short drive from the restaurant Edward had picked.

I had to admit it felt odd to be in a place like that with him. He didn’t seem to fit in at all, like some preternatural creature trying to do common-folk chores. I got a cart and stopped in the middle of the fruit section, clueless as to where to start.

“Didn’t you say you had a list of things you like to have at all times in the house?” I said, frowning to myself. I wasn’t very well-prepared.

“Oh yeah. I forgot about that. I put it on your phone. It’s under the notes.” Edward looked around as if he didn’t understand what to do.

It was short, but I wouldn’t say sweet. I read it out loud, rolling my eyes with every item. “Bagels, cream cheese, bananas, milk, cream soda, and hot pockets. Seriously? That’s it? What kind of hot pocket?”

He shrugged. “Any kind.” He picked up an apple and brought it up to his nose to sniff it. “This smells good.”

“Those are in season. You should get some,” I informed him before shaking my head. “For real, though. That’s all you keep in the house?”

“I haven’t had them lately because, as I said, this is my first weekend off in a month. I haven’t had a reason to be at home, anyway. It’s just easier to eat out.”

“Would you eat at home more if I cooked for you? I could even freeze the leftovers, so when I’m not there, you could heat them up. That would be better than eating out.”

“That’s not your job.”

“I’m your,” I used my fingers to make air quotes, “personal assistant. Yeah, it’s my job. It’s helping you. If you don’t wish to, that’s fine. It’s just so much better for you, Edward. I enjoy cooking, so it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“You do?” He asked, his lips slightly puckered in thought.

“Yes, very much so.”

He finally nodded his head. “Okay, fine. If you want to cook, then yes. I would appreciate that. It would be a very nice change. Buy whatever you wish so you can make whatever you want,” he continued, sweeping his hand out in front of him. “You see how I eat. Go crazy.”

I rolled my eyes again. “That doesn’t help. Tell me what you like. What kind of fruit do you enjoy?” I waved my arms around.

“I don’t like kiwis. Other than that, I’m good with just about anything. I don’t like cabbage all that much, but if it’s in something, I’m not bothered by it. Seriously, make whatever, Bella. Get what you want.”

So, I filled the cart with tons of fresh produce and herbs. Plus, meat that wasn’t on sale. I was selecting all the things I hadn’t cooked for myself in ages because I didn’t want to splurge on an ingredient I would only use once. I chatted with Edward the entire time. Occasionally he would get something from the top of the shelf for me or throw stuff in for himself.

It was so oddly normal.

Mindlessly rubbing my elbow as I looked at the butter in the dairy section, the cold stung my skin. It was giving me more issues lately, and though my water problems had been good for my hair, it hadn’t been easy on my flesh.

“Do you have a bug bite or something?” Edward asked, touching my back gently. “It’s the fifth time today you’ve scratched that spot.”

I quickly pulled my sleeve down. “Oh, it’s fine.” I shook my head. “My hot water heater broke a while ago, and I’ve had to deal with cold showers. With the cooler weather coming and the icy water, it’s not been a good combo for my skin,” I explained, picking out butter and throwing it in the cart. I hadn’t thought about what I said. It didn’t seem that important. In all honesty, he was the first person I had told. Not even Alice knew.

“That’s unacceptable,” he almost growled.

I stopped and turned to look at his serious expression. “What? The butter? I can get another kind.”

“No. Your heater.”

Shrugging, his reaction embarrassed me. “I’ll get it fixed next week. It’s no big deal.”

“I can have someone over to your house tomorrow to repair it.” Edward shook his head, taking over pushing the cart with both hands curled tightly around the handle.

“No,” I sternly stated. “That’s unnecessary. I’ll have it repaired soon. It’s not a big deal,” I repeated.

Scoffing, his forehead crinkling in irritation. “That is a basic comfort no one should live without, especially when you don’t have to. I don’t mind doing it.”

“No. It’ll be like three hundred dollars to have a plumber come out. You’re already going to pay me. I can do that kind of stuff for myself. So… Thank you, that’s very generous of you. But, no.”

“What if I sent someone out, and you paid me back later?” He continued, still looking distressed. I couldn’t understand why. It was just a little cold water. It was fine.

“I’ve gone without it for a while. I can go for another week.”

“It’s causing you some discomfort.” Stopping, he touched my elbow. “Well, if you won’t accept that.” He thought of something else. “What if I fixed it myself?”

I laughed out loud and looked at him with doubt, but I wouldn’t say anything. “Edward, honestly. That’s alright.”

“You don’t think I can do it.” He pouted like a child with his arms crossed over his chest. I patted his back and pressed a kiss to his cheek before moving on with my shopping.

“Have you ever had to fix something like that for yourself in your life?” I glanced in his direction when I realized he wasn’t coming. He said nothing. “So, it doesn’t matter then. The point is moot.”

“But if I could?” He insisted, holding his chin high in the air. I might have hurt his manhood, but I knew I was right. So, I gave him something to make him feel better. As I had stated before, the point was moot.

“If you had the ability, I suppose you could. But I’d still pay you back.”

Glancing over slyly, he grinned. “You could buy me some dinner as payment,” he offered, putting chips into the cart once he started following me again.

“Fine,” I smirked. “If you could fix my hot water heater, I’d allow you to do so, and I would pay you back with a meal of your choosing. Does that make you happy?”

He considered it for a long moment. “That seems like a fair agreement.” He nodded his head and smiled. We were silent for a while before Edward finally spoke again, throwing in gummy bears. “You know, this isn’t how I expected to spend today. But I’m really having a great time. Normally, I hate doing this kind of stuff, but I don’t mind doing it with you.”

I bit my lip as I grinned over at him. “I feel the same way.”

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