Head Over Leather #Wattys2017

XIV. Pasta and Virgins

I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but there was something about watching Ethan cook. He was just so natural in the kitchen, making my heart do all kinds of jumps and flips. My eyes follow his every move, lingering a bit too long when he reaches to grab a plate from the cupboard, back muscles flexing and shirt riding up his torso slightly.

I snap out of my daze when Ethan turns around and smirks at my blatant checking out. The only thing that was better than watching him cook was the amazing smell. Sure, I had no idea what him and Rosa were whipping up but it sure smelled great.

"Where'd you learn to cook?" I find myself asking, legs dangling against the lower cabinets.

"Before my mom became a partner at Andrews and Co., she had a part time job, so a lot of the time she was home. One of her favorite things was cooking and she'd always ask me to help and I guess I just picked it up along the way." Ethan shrugs offhandedly, holding a wooden spoon over his hand and walking over to me. He holds the spoon up to my mouth and I eye it, noticing the pasta along with various other ingredients. I lean in, tasting it and my eyes flutter shut, a muffled moan sounding out as I chew.

"Good?" Ethan smiles, eyebrows raised as he turns back around to toss the spoon back in the pot.

"It's amazing. What is it?"

"Mushroom and cauliflower penne." The name rolls off his tongue easily, as he strides back towards me, thumb reaching out to wipe the sauce smudged on the corner of my mouth, before he sucks the remains off his thumb. I feel myself reddening at the action, before slipping off the counter to stand.

"We can watch a movie while we eat. We never use the dining room anyway." I nod in his direction, not bothering to question why, figuring it had to do with his absent parents.

"Rosa, my sweet Rosa, what would I do without my sous-chef?" Ethan teases, looking fondly down at the petite woman, who shakes her head at him, lashing him with the dishcloth. I laugh softly, running a hand through my hair, as I lean against the counter.

"Eat children. Eat. Lovely to meet you, Maya." Rosa gives me a wide smile, cupping my face in her hands and I can't help but beam back at her. She's so sweet.

"You too, Rosa. But are you not going to eat this masterpiece you created?" Rosa lets out a laugh at my question, as Ethan prepares our dishes.

"Rosa is a machine. Doesn't stop till everything's done." He comments, each hand holding a plate filled with pasta. Rosa chuckles, hand patting him fondly on the cheek, before walking out of the kitchen.

"She has a routine. Once the laundry is done, she makes another round of inspections around the house then eats and maybe wraps some up to take home."

"Does she have children?" I glance at Ethan, as he leads me into the living room carrying the plates. I take a seat on his comfy leather couch, before taking the plate from him and watching as he sits beside me with his own.

"She has two daughters actually. Both in their twenties so she's mainly got her handful with grandchildren." Ethan nods, eyebrow kinking to urge me to eat the food.

"What movie do you want to watch?" I shrug, filling my fork up with pasta and shoving it in my mouth, not bothering to be a sensible eater. Ethan watches with a smile and I find myself smiling back with a mouthful.

***

"Okay, but look at that thing. He could've easily fit."