Deadly Infatuation

Chapter 35

Max

Lily stands in front of me with her head resting against my chest as I encircle my arms around her waist and stir the rice on the stove. She sings softly along to the song playing on the stereo, and I smile and kiss the side of her head, enjoying this peaceful moment between us. I could tell she seemed worried when we landed earlier today and when I made her jump at the car, it only confirmed my thoughts. I've been trying to take her mind off of her worries which thankfully seems to be working for now though I know that until things are resolved with Sarah, Lily will not be able to fully relax and is still going to need protecting which is why I have asked Johnson to continue guarding her until that day comes. For now, I've sent him home to rest as I'm not letting Lily out of my sight for the rest of the weekend and when Monday comes, Johnson can resume his duties.

As the food gets close to being ready to eat, I leave Lily and prepare the dining room by laying out the cutlery on the table and pour a glass of white wine each before lighting a single candle to make it feel cozier before heading back to the kitchen to serve the food. When we finally sit around the table and take our first mouthfuls of food, Lily moans in delight and I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to hide my amusement but I'm not quick enough as she notices this and pauses with her fork in midair. "What?"

"Nothing. I'm just glad that you think my cooking is orgasmic."

She gives a light snort. "Whatever." Looking me dead in the eye, she then takes another bite of food and gives a fake loud moan, showing that she's no longer bothered about me hearing her and we both grin before getting back to our food.

We continue to talk as we eat and reminisce about our time in Paris for a while before our talks change to work. I tell her about the next stages of preparing to ship and sell our wine in the EU and she asks me many questions about it, as ever eager to learn more about what I do. When she talks about her work and the different events she has booked to set up her flowers, I listen intently. Her whole face lights up as she talks about her plans for them and I'm happy to see that she loves her job so much, though as our conversation changes and focuses on Suzanne and Callie I can tell something is up and when I ask her about it she sighs.

"I'm going to have to let Callie go. I hoped she would learn from her mistakes and become a team member, but it just hasn't happened."

I squeeze her hand to console her. "From what you told me, you gave her plenty of time to prove herself, and she didn't step up."

"I know," she sighs again. "I just hate the thought of firing her. I've never had to do it before."

"It's not so bad. I've had to do it a few times over the years."

"You could do it then," she softly laughs. "I'm sure she'd take it easier coming from you, seeing as she has a crush on you."

"Sorry, babe. That's on you. Think of it as experience."

"Traitor," she teases. She looks deep in for thought for a few seconds and nibbles on her lip. "I've decided that I'm going to give her an additional $200 on top of her two weeks notice just to help tide her over a bit while she looks for a new job. Hopefully that will make her less mad at me when it comes to telling her."

"That's more than I'd have done myself. It shows just how much of a good person you are."

"I don't feel like one right now."

I take her hand and squeeze it. "You are."

"Thank you."

I motion to her plate. "Are you finished?"

"I am. It was delicious, by the way."

I stand and kiss her soft lips as I pick up her plate. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully, my next meal will elicit the same response," I say to humor her. Her eyes go wide, knowing I'm referring to her moan earlier and chuckling. I take the plates to the kitchen and then return and blow out the candle and lead Lily outside to enjoy the sunshine.