The Book of Rook

Chapter 12

PHOENIX

I hear the front door slam making me jump.

Good job Nix.

What the hell made me say that? I didn't mean to jump down his throat, but I guess after two weeks of fake dating, we were bound to have our first fight. The sad thing is I'm the one being a jerk. How can I fix this?

My mom always said the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I decide to make Rook an apology dinner. I look through my phone to get ideas on what I can make.

First, I finish unboxing and unpacking. I break up the boxes and leave them by the front door. Then I take a quick shower to get the sweat off me. The bathroom is quite spacious. Dual sinks to my left. Grey and white tiles cover the floors and shower. I find a panel on the wall to control the heated floors. The white tub tucked in the corner will be used tomorrow night while reading my book. The shower with glass doors and a bench can easily fit four people comfortably with body sprays and an overhead showerhead. The toilet has its own separate room. I quickly find some towels in the linen closet and jump in. If this is the guest bathroom, I can only imagine the master bathroom. Not that I'm picturing Rook naked in the shower. Nope.

I dress in some sweatpants and one of my sarcastic t shirts that reads: People, not a fan. As I'm going down the stairs, I call out to Rook but get no answer. He must still be out.

I find myself in the kitchen gathering all the ingredients for dinner. Even though it's a bachelor pad, his kitchen is fully stocked. Whoever Edith is, she knows her way around a kitchen.

I decide to make Chicken piccata with some garlic bread. While looking for the pantry, I find a wine closet. Nice.

Rook has been gone for 2 hours and dinner is almost ready. I hope he'll come back soon so I won't have to eat alone. I even made dessert. I texted Bishop to find out what his favorite dessert was. Cheesecake. Easy.

As I set the table, I hear the front door open. I swallow my nerves and try to figure out how to apologize and hope he still wants to do this fake relationship thing.

He walks into the kitchen all sweaty. Surprise written on his face as he looks at the table setting.

"What did you do?" he asks as he walks past me and towards the fridge to grab a bottled water.

I watch as he opens the bottle and take a long drink. His Adam's apple bobs up and down as he swallows. His eyes closed. My eyes wander down his shirt, which is stuck to his chest enhancing his muscles and tight abs.

Snap out of it Nix. He asked you a question.

I shake myself and answer. "I made you an apology dinner. I'm sorry for what I said. You're right. I shouldn't just assume what everyone says is true." Now I'm just babbling. He lowers the water bottle and looks at me. His lips are wet and a drop falls from his mouth to his chin. How I would love to chase that drop, lick it off his chin.

Down Nix. Do not jump the man in his kitchen.

He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and throws the bottle in the recycling bin. "Do I have time for a quick shower?"

"I already took one. I mean, yeah sure. Go ahead," I stumble over my words.

He smirks and then nods as he goes towards the stairs but not before he reaches behind his head and rips off his wet t-shirt. My knees practically give out at the sight of his naked, muscular back. I have to turn my gaze before I make a fool out of myself more than I already had. Why did my brain think he asked me to shower with him? I slap my forehead, finish setting the table and open a bottle of wine. I grab my phone and set up my playlist to have some music in the background. That's the only way I'm going to be able to get through this meal.