"Oh, you’re fancy," I purse my lips together in a mocking way and thank him for the water.
"So you think I’m romantic?" he quips, opening a bottle of water for himself.
"Yep, a regular prince charming," I smirk, taking a hug gulp of water.
Thomas almost spits out his water and looks at me like he’s seen a ghost. Shit! I forgot not to say that to him, after his warning not to treat him any different, I don’t want him to think it has anything to do with his apartment.
"It isn’t because of your apartment, Thomas. I honestly think it’s fabulous," I glance around the chef’s kitchen before continuing, "but I don’t really care, baby."
Holding my hands in the air, I shrug my shoulders before taking another sip of my water and watching him closely. He seems to relax, but I know that something about that bothered him so I’ve got to try to never call him that again.
Turning slowly, he opens the refrigerator again and then turns back to me with a conspiratorial look in his eye, and a mischievous grin on his face.
"Close your eyes," he says while squinting his eyes devilishly.
Without hesitation or seeking an explanation I do as I’m told. I can hear him moving around, the sound of glasses clinking together, and different containers touching the countertop beside me. Then he’s right in front of me, I can sense him although he’s silent, and my legs spread, hoping he comes closer.
"How’d you know I was in front of you? You’re peeking!" he shrieks like child before moving away quickly.
"No, I didn’t I could sense you." I try to explain through giggles.
Before I can say anything more he’s back, and this time he steps between my legs before wrapping a soft fabric around my head, covering my eyes.
"Ooh, this is soft," I reach up and touch the smooth fabric.
"Like you," he says so low I’m sure he was only speaking to himself.
"Am I allowed to touch, I reach my hands out to my sides and he quickly clasps them in a tight grip.
"No! You can only do what I tell you," he places my hands on his shoulders, and I interlock my fingers on the nape of his neck while wrapping my legs around his midsection.
"Can I have a kiss?" I ask, poking my lip out.
"You can always have a kiss, baby," he kisses my lips softly and tugs on my bottom lip. I love when he does that.
"You could sense me in front of you?" he asks. I guess he did hear me through the giggles.
"Yep! I always sense you before I see you. When you have me meet you somewhere, I can feel you watching me, or I just get a pull, like I’m supposed to be near you," I’m a little embarrassed by my admission. Without my vision its difficult to remember I’m speaking to someone else, and I’ve basically admitted my private thoughts.
"You’re always blushing," he whispers before kissing my cheeks.
"You have an effect on me, Mister," I bite my bottom lip to halt my grin from spreading.
"I can feel when you walk in the room. I swear it. Earlier at dinner you left to use the ladies room, and when you returned from behind me I could just feel it," he says as if my saying it makes it makes sense for him.
"What do you think that means?" I whisper, his face is close to mine, I can sense it and smell his aroma.
"I think it means that I’m crazy about you," he whispers on my lips, the sensation gives me chills.
"I think I like you crazy about me," I smirk.
"Oh yeah? Why is that?" He asks.
"That way I’m not out here on the island by myself," I say, again being more revealing, but still without regrets.
We sit in silence for an awkward long time, so long that I begin to worry I should be regretting what I’ve said. Not being able to read his body language has me at a serious disadvantage, but this is his game and I want to have an open mind about playing whatever it is he has in store.
"You don’t have to worry about being anywhere alone, Nicole," he begins and without seeing his eyes or facial expression, I know he’s serious because of his tone and the fact that he used my real name. "We’re in this together, okay?" he adds while placing his hands on top of mine.