"You are being unreasonably difficult," he replied softly in guilt.
"Mr. Maxwell." I let out a strained sigh. "How do you expect me to believe everything you said after how you've treated me when we met?"
"I know how I treated you, Andy. But, I've made up for it remember?" he countered intently, making his words sound more domineering.
"So, you expect me to return the favor just like that?" I asked bitingly, gawking at him in disbelief. "You know it doesn't work that way," I added.
William looked at me in shock and disbelief. He couldn't open his mouth to reply. For the first time since I met him, he looked apologetic as his lips tightened into a grim line.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled, breaking the short silence.
"I'll think about forgiving you," I replied softly as I turned away from him. "Good night, Mr. Maxwell... And, I forgive you," I spouted as I opened the door and closed it before I heard his reply.
For a second, I thought he would get up from his bed and follow me but he didn't. I went back to the kitchen and cleaned the glass he used. After that, I went back to the living room, eyeing my bag and coat. I wanted to go home but as I glanced down at my watch, it was almost midnight. It would be unreasonable for me to leave and he would be angry if I did.
I sat down on the couch where William lay down and took off my shoes and my white shirt. Thank God I choose to wear a white tank top underneath my blouse since the material was light. It helped cover my black bra.
In my gray slacks and white tank top, I laid down on the couch and got the blanket that William used, covering my whole body. In seconds I drifted off to dreamland.
When I heard a soft rumbling sound, it didn't register well and I continued to close my eyes. Then, when I heard a series of coughs, my eyes flew open in a sudden realization of where I was. In one swift move, I sat up on the couch and blinked a couple of times until my eyes landed at the sound where the coughing came from.
On the carpet below me was a sleeping William with the blanket all tangled up in his legs, his white shirt slightly raised up, revealing his well-toned stomach. I took a glimpse at his face, his eyes closed and his mouth slightly opened. I chuckled at the sound that was coming out of his mouth. For a second, I forgot that he was sick until he coughed again.
I frantically got up and kneeled down on his side. I softly nudged him and whispered for him to wake up. After two tries in which he ignored, I woke him up like last time. I slapped his forehead with a little force.
"Would you wake up? Why are you lying down on the floor? Your cold could worsen," I hissed in annoyance.
Finally, his eyes fluttered open as he groaned again. "Do you really want to kill me that much?" he rasped as he blinked his eyes open.
"Why are you here on the floor?" I asked frantically as I grabbed his arm and helped him sit up.
"I was looking for you. I thought you left," he admitted sadly as I rolled him on to the couch with a groan. "I think I hurt my back," he lamented as he settled down.
"I wasn't the one who stupidly slept on the floor," I pointed out and placed my hand on his forehead and neck. "I think your fever went down a little," I announced in relief.
"Can you make me chicken soup again?" he asked sleepily and sighed in contentment.
"Sure. I'll get you some," I responded softly as I pulled his blanket to his chest. I was glad I placed the extra soup in the fridge. I can reheat that and make something else for him. "Do you want anything else to eat?" I asked as made my way to the kitchen.
"Scrambled eggs and toast is good," he replied, his voice low. "Thank you for staying," he added in a more audible voice.
"Uhm..." I acknowledged with a curt nod, knowing that he wouldn't see me. I didn't say anything after that and made my way to the kitchen to whip up something to eat.
As I stood in the middle of the room, I turned to the clear glass wall and watched the sun rise over the slowly waking city-just a beautiful way to start my morning. An hour later, breakfast was ready. I neatly placed his food in the small dining table in front of the kitchen. I turned to my left and stared at the back of the couch where I could hear William's soft snore. I smiled at the sound and walked silently towards him. Now, I knew another thing about William Maxwell. One, he snores; and two, you need to smack his head for him to wake up. I snickered at that thought.
After a good smack in his forehead again, William begrudgingly sat up on the couch. "Get your butt to the dining room. Breakfast is ready," I announced with a soft chuckle.
He turned towards me with his eyebrow raised. "Did you poison my food?" he accused.
I shook my head in disbelief and turned towards the couch where I placed my white shirt. I put it back on, much to my dismay, and my shoes. William kept his gaze on me the whole time, peering at me from head to toe.
With a sigh, I look back at him. "Stop staring at me," I blurted in annoyance as I turned back to get my bag and coat.
"Where are you going?" he asked hurriedly as I heard the couch buckle up as he stood up.
"I'm heading back. I need a decent rest and a shower," I replied grimly as I glanced down at yesterday's outfit.
"Aren't you having breakfast with me?" he asked in confusion as he took a step closer to me.
"No. I need to go," I asserted as I took a step back from him. "I have plans today," I added as he started to open his mouth in protest.
"Breakfast with me won't ruin your plans for this morning. It would be reasonable to eat here than at home. It would save you money," he theorized after I finished.
I shook my head at his stubbornness and sighed in defeat. "Get your butt to the dining table already," I commanded as I placed my coat and purse down yet again.
With a beaming smile, William grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards the dining table. I mentally noted that he was energetic enough to walk on his own. After that, I vowed to just stay here long enough to eat the meal and maybe clean the dishes. With that, I gave myself a mental slap. Why are there so many things keeping me in this apartment?
Twenty-Five
After we ate, I stood up from my seat and brought the empty plates to the sink. William was silent as he stayed in his seat watching me. At some point, his gaze started to bother me and made me feel self-conscious. When I finished washing the dishes, I headed back to the living room and ignored his presence as he trailed behind me.
I lazily turned towards him when I reached the couch. He was standing a foot behind me still perusing me weirdly.
"Would you stop looking at me?" I asked in annoyance.
"Sorry," he muttered in apology and turned his head away from me.
I raised my eyebrow at his silly action and chuckled lightly. "Now, please sit down and rest. You need it," I instructed, pointing at the messy couch.
He gave me a sly smile as he walked past me to the couch. I stiffened at his sudden closeness but brushed it off as I turned away from him. I bent down and got my coat and bag, hoping that this time I wasn't going to put it down again.
"You're going now?" William asked aloud. His voice echoed in the spacious room.
I snapped my head towards him. "Yes," I replied shortly as I slowly draped my coat on my arm.
Suddenly, William stood up, which caught me by surprise. I stepped back at his advance as I eyed him curiously. When his breath almost caressed my face, he placed both his hands on my shoulders and pulled me towards him, closing the little distance between us.
"What are you doing?" I asked with a shaky breath, my heart suddenly picking up speed. Oh no.
"Do you still think I'm joking about being interested in you?" he asked, his voice low and raspy, yet stern.
"I … I... I don't know what … " I stuttered in reply. My heartbeat started to ring in my ear. Where the hell is this conversation going?
"You know what I mean, Andy," he interjected as he stepped closer to me. There was no more space between us.
I mentally hissed at our current situation. I could feel the blood rush to my face as it heated up. I couldn't believe that I'm blushing right now. It wasn't a good reaction in this situation. But from the way William's lips twitched into a grin, he thought differently.
For a second, I didn't know what I was supposed to do. The second was enough for him to lean forward and place his warm lips against mine. I froze in response to the contact as it sent shivers down my spine. I shuddered as goose bumps broke out all over my skin. William's hands gently stroke my arms as they traveled towards my waist, encircling it as he crushed me into his chest to deepen the kiss.
I was lost in his kiss. With my eyes closed, my entire consciousness zeroed in on the feel of his warm lips. His tongue asked for entrance and he didn't need to. I allowed him to go deeper taking me in, and fully consuming me. He was in control as we explored each other.