Watching Her

chapter 28: tea

"You know, you didn't have to do that." I muttered, after he had placed me on the kitchen counter. I did not know why I had not said anything against him carrying me to the kitchen. I knew I could walk, but still, I had not complained. 
Even though we were inside, I was still freezing and I blamed myself for that. Yet, it had been worth it. 
"I wanted to." He answered, while his drenched back was turned towards me when I noticed the scars. There were two long ones, directly under his ribs that went across the sides and what I expected, onto his stomach as well. I did not ask though, as I knew that in this business it was a sensitive topic. Not that it was important to me anyways, just that something inside of me clawed at wanting to know the reason behind those injuries. 

I held onto the counter while I swung my legs back and forth, like a child awaiting something. I felt better after the pool situation and was still surprised that he had followed me. I could not lie, it made me see him different, more humane. Maybe we were more similar than I liked. I erased that thought quickly and had to remind myself of the reason why I was in his house in the first place and why I did not like him. 

Even though he always managed to give me tingles. 

He turned back to me, still in his see through shirt, with a cup of scorching hot liquid in his hand. The steam still came from the cup, and I felt as if he wanted me to see his body like this. I swallowed, while I first looked at the cup and then at him. 

"What's that?" I asked slowly, my voice so soft and quiet, I feared he had not heard me. 

"Hot chocolate, my nonna's recipe." He answered shortly and placed the cup next to me on the counter when I did not take it from him. I had not been my intention to insult him with my actions, but it surely had surprised me. I felt the warmth of the cup, even though it was not touching my thigh, when I realized that I was still in my cold shorts and t - shirt that was lcinging to my figure as well. 

Suddenly I felt the urgent need to cover myself, but I did not dare move in his presence as he blew onto his hot chocolate. It felt a little ironic, seeing such a powerful man trying to make his hot chocolate colder. I let out a small giggle as I watched him try it and visible burn his tongue. I liked that there was less tension between us, it was hard to live in a house with a complete stranger. Now he was only half a stranger. Or three fourths. 

"I also have mini marshmallows but I didn't take you to be such a person." He though he answered my visible amusement with that. I wiped a wet strand out of my face and grabbed the cup. I felt it slightly burn my hand, but not enough to make me place it back on the counter. 

"I prefer whipped cream." I replied and saw him smirk while he sipped. 

"Sprinkles are better." My eyes widened at his response. 

"Sprinkles in a hot chocolate? Are you kidding me?" I asked jokingly as I started drinking. It genuinely tasted amazing, but I could not give him that satisfaction. 

"Absolutely, the chocolate ones. Try it before you judge it." He tilted his head slightly as he watched me drink from the cup, but I shook my head shortly after. 

"That's a crime." I paused for a second, "What else is weird about you?" I asked finally, wanting to know more about Mateo Bane. I saw him tense a little as a reaction, but he let loose again. Maybe we were going to play 21 questions after all. 

"I like dogs more than cats." He answered. I looked at him weirdly, that was the exact opposite of weird. 

"That's better, actually." I answered, confused. I set my cup down, half finished with the hot chocolate and looked back at him again. I ignored the shivers going through my body, the replacement of the adrenaline just before. Who cared if I got sick?