Chapter 25: Cooking Up Desire

We moved in together.

Our apartment was small but comfortable. Our living room was furnished with a cozy sofa and matching armchairs, arranged around a sleek coffee table. I pictured us gathering there for many cozy evenings together. The walls were adorned with framed photographs of us, our friends, and our families. There was still plenty of space to add more pictures.

The true centerpiece of the living room was the elegant chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Its delicate crystals sparkled, casting shimmering patterns across the walls and floor. It added a touch of glamour and sophistication to the space.

I loved it.

Our bedroom was cozy yet spacious, with a comfortable queen-sized bed adorned with soft, plush bedding. A large window allowed natural light to flood the room during the day, while sheer curtains added a touch of privacy and elegance. A small bedside table stood on each side of the bed, adorned with reading lamps and alarm clocks.

There was one bathroom. It was sleek and modern, with clean lines and contemporary fixtures. A spacious vanity provided enough storage space for our toiletries, while a large mirror hung above it.

The apartment was perfect. The only catch was that it was a fifteen-minute walk from campus… But that was okay because we’d get to spend more time together.

I stood in the small kitchen. Compact yet efficient appliances lined the walls, including a refrigerator, stove, and microwave. A cozy dining nook nestled in the corner, with a small table and chairs where we could enjoy our meals together. Open shelving displayed our favorite dishes and cookware, while a window above the sink offered a view of the bustling city streets below.

I wanted to cook dinner.

As I started to gather ingredients in the kitchen, James wandered in.

“Need a hand?” he asked, already rolling up his sleeves.

“Sure, but only if you promise not to try to take over,” I teased, brandishing a wooden spoon in mock defense.

James feigned innocence, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“Who, me? I would never,” he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “How about we argue about what to cook?”

I laughed.

“Chicken pasta and nothing else!” I crossed my arms.

He fell to his knees, playfully begging. “Anything but chicken pasta!”

I laughed and he got to his feet.

“On a serious note… I think we should go for something fancy,” I suggested, trying to keep a straight face. “After all, I did promise you a romantic dinner.”

I’d promised that dinner weeks ago. But we never found the time to actually do it.

“Oh yeah, I forgot about that,” James admitted. “How about steak, potatoes, and asparagus?”

If that was what he wanted, then that was what he was going to get. This time I wouldn’t argue to cook pasta instead.

“Sounds perfect,” I agreed. “You can sit back and relax. I’ll cook.”

“Sure,” James rolled his eyes. He took the steak out of the fridge and began seasoning it.

This man was so helpful!

I began slicing the potatoes and then put them in boiling water. It wasn’t long before James snuck up behind me. His breath tickled my ear. I shivered at the sensation, feeling a flush creep up my cheeks as I turned to face him.

“How’s everything going over here?” he asked.

“Good. I thought you were in charge of seasoning the steak,” I teased, trying to ignore the fluttering of butterflies in my stomach.

James grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he leaned in closer, his gaze locking with mine.

“I couldn’t resist the temptation of joining you over here,” he confessed, his voice low and husky.

A jolt of electricity coursed through me, igniting a fire that burned hot and fierce. “Don’t let me distract you,” I replied. I leaned forward, pushing my chest against him.

His eyes ran all over my body. I was fully clothed but felt naked.

“But you’re so distracting…” he said.

“Go cook the steak,” I said, pushing forward.

He grinned. But then he obeyed. I didn’t miss the defiant look in his eye. He made his way to his side of the stove, and I found myself mesmerized by the play of light and shadow across his handsome features.

Unable to resist the urge any longer, I reached out to brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead, my fingers lingering against his skin for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

“You know,” he murmured, “cooking with you like this... it’s kind of sexy.”

“Is that so?” I replied.

He stepped closer. I swallowed hard, feeling my pulse quicken at the intensity of his gaze.

“Definitely,” he whispered. His voice was thick with desire as I leaned in closer, the space between us narrowing to nothing.

James kissed me. It was the kind of kiss that made my mind go blank. It was the kind of kiss that made me lose control of my body. It was the kind of kiss that made me wish he would drag me to the bedroom.

For a moment I thought he would.

But then he pulled away and went back to the steak. A naughty smile played on his lips.

“You jerk!” I laughed. My cheeks were warm. As was the spot between my thighs.

Finally, the meal came together. The aroma of sizzling steak and roasted vegetables filled the air.

James carried our plates to the table. Then he pulled some candles out of the nearby drawer and lit them.

“You’re such a romantic,” I said as I began eating.

“Am I?” James asked, looking pleased with himself.

I felt so recharged. So alive. I was ready to take on this semester with James.

We finished our dinner quickly.

“So, what would you like for dessert?” I asked.

James paused, “What options do I have?”

“Well, we don’t have anything fancy, but I can bake you a cake in a mug…” I suggested.

“Sounds good.”

James cleared the table while I prepared the simple yet delicious dessert. Once the cakes were ready, James got the whipped cream from the fridge. We sat down together at the table again.

When we were halfway through the dessert, James dipped his finger into the whipped cream. Then he reached out and smeared it on my nose.

“James!”

I laughed at his antics. I reached up to wipe the cream from my nose. But as I glanced up, I saw something change in James’s expression—a spark of mischief that sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

Before I could react, James grabbed the can of whipped cream and, with surprising strength, lifted me up from my chair.

“Hey!” I objected.

He carried me towards the bedroom.

My heart pounded in my chest. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as he stripped off my clothes with an urgency that left me breathless.

My shirt was off.

Then my pants were on the ground.

I stood before him in nothing but my underwear. The intensity of his gaze sent a thrill down my spine, igniting a fire within me that burned hot and fierce.

James gently pushed me back, so that I fell onto the bed.

“What are you doing?” I asked. My voice breathless with anticipation as James came closer. I didn’t feel the need to cover myself or shy away. Instead, I felt oddly sexy, empowered by the desire that burned between us.

James took off his shirt and leaned over me. Without a word, he squirted a dollop of whipped cream onto my cleavage. His gaze locked with mine as he leaned in to lick it off.

A shiver of pleasure coursed through me at his touch. I let out a soft moan of delight. Sensing my arousal, James’s lips curled into a knowing smile as he continued to tease me, trailing a path of whipped cream down my stomach with deliberate slowness.

“James, we need to sleep early because of class,” I murmured, a hint of reluctance in my voice. But deep down, I didn’t really want him to stop.

Ignoring my protest, James dipped his head down to my stomach. His warm breath sent shivers down my spine as he licked the cream away with tender care. With each touch, each caress, I felt myself melting into him.

As James’s hands roamed over my body, igniting a fire within me that burned hot and fierce, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be. In his arms, I felt loved, cherished, and safe.

Moving in together was the right decision for us.