Our eyes finally met. We shared a smile as Hailey continued to be distracted by a cheese sample.
Elodie approached and pretended to be shocked to see us. Her jaw dropped. “Hollis?”
I acted surprised. “Elodie? What are you doing in the city on a Sunday?”
Hailey’s head whipped around. “Oh my God! What?” She ran to Elodie and gave her a hug.
“Hey, Hailey! What a surprise to run into you guys.”
“Why are you here?” Hailey asked.
“Well, I had the worst craving for pickled artichokes and warm brie. So, since I had nothing better to do today, I decided to come into the city and stock up on my favorite things.”
“You’re gonna carry all that food home on the train?”
“Well, I limit myself to one big bag.”
Hailey looked up at me. “Uncle Hollis is going to make homemade Margherita pizza for us tonight. We came to get dough, and fresh basil and stuff.”
Elodie gave me a look like she was impressed.
I shrugged. “I’m not the greatest cook. But pizza I can handle.”
“Then we’re gonna watch the new Marvel movie after.”
“That sounds like so much fun.” Elodie grinned.
Hailey bounced up and down. “You should come have dinner with us and watch the movie.”
Bingo. Thank you, dear niece.
Elodie feigned hesitance. “Oh, I don’t know. It might be too late for me to get home at a decent time if I come over. It’s a work night, after all. I have to be ready for you bright and early in the morning.”
Hailey sulked. “I guess that’s true.”
Elodie and I shared a knowing look. Neither of us had been expecting Hailey to give up so easily.
What now? “I’d be happy to drive you back after dinner,” I said. “I’m sure Hailey wouldn’t mind the ride.”
“Great idea, Uncle Hollis.” She turned to Elodie. “See? Now you have to come.”
“Well, how can I say no to dinner, a movie, and door-to-door chauffeur service?”
A woman near us was eating something chocolatey on a stick.
Hailey fixated on it. “Where did you get that?” she asked.
The lady pointed. “Sample table in that corner.”
“Be right back!” Hailey said, booking it over there.
Elodie shook her head. “She’s got a one-track mind.”
“I can certainly relate to that.”
She blushed. “You were very determined to see me. “
“You look beautiful.”
“Well, I thought I had a date with a very handsome, sometimes obnoxious man tonight. I’d gotten myself all dolled up.”
“I hope you know he had big plans for you…the Mandarin Hotel restaurant, a carriage ride, the whole nine.”
“I might have gotten a little carried away with my requests. I hope you don’t think I truly care where you take me. I’m thrilled just to be with you. Hanging out at home is great.”
Her use of the word home made me a tad uneasy. It was a reminder that I needed to think before I entered into something serious. But right now, I couldn’t think of much else besides her lips. My eyes were glued to them.
“You want to get a sample?” she asked.
“All I want to fucking taste are those lips.” Checking to make sure Hailey wasn’t looking, I leaned in and attempted to do just that, keeping my eyes in my niece’s direction the entire time.
When Hailey suddenly turned around, I pushed back and muttered, “Shit.”
“It’s gonna be a long night.” Elodie smiled.***The kitchen was covered in flour. We’d opted to wait to clean up the mess until after we ate. Elodie cleaned the counter while I hand-washed a few dishes.
Hailey dried each plate as I handed it to her. “When are we starting the movie?”
“Probably in about ten minutes.”
When she finished the last one, she said, “Can I go to my room until then?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
Elodie was still wiping the counter down when Hailey’s door slammed shut.
I waited a few seconds, then came up behind Elodie, pulling her into the small utility closet off the kitchen.
It was nearly dark in there, but just enough light from the kitchen seeped in through the slats in the door.
She panted as she looked up into my eyes.
I lowered my mouth to hers and emptied all of my breath into her. We kissed as if we were both starved. She pulled my hair as I grabbed her ass. Tasting the hint of wine on her, I moved my tongue harder and faster to taste everything else. Lowering my head to her neck, I sunk my teeth into her flesh.
That’s when she knocked me out of my trance, pulling back. “We’d better go back out.”
I rested my mouth on her skin then grunted. I peeked out before opening the door to make sure the coast was clear.
She followed and then went back to nonchalantly wiping the counter.
She glanced over at me and blushed. That made me want to kiss her all over again.
“It’s kind of fun sneaking around,” she said.
“I feel like a fucking kid.” I laughed. “I’ve been waiting to do that all freaking night.”