The popping and sizzling of bacon greets my ears and the smell of coffee brings a smile to my face as I open my eyes. Stretching my legs and pushing my painted toes out from under a blanket he must have placed on me in the night, I yawn and sigh happily in the pleasant warmth of the room. Swinging my legs out and onto the floor, the plush blanket slips from my body and I giggle as notice I am wearing no clothing. The room crackles with heat, so with a smile, I saunter into the kitchen, making only a scant attempt to cover myself.
Josh turns as I slide into a seat at the kitchen table, bunching the blanket in my lap and crossing my legs, swinging a foot as he places a steaming cup in front of me. Wearing a brown robe and matching slippers, he smiles and shakes his head, returning to the stove, his eyes remaining on my bare legs.
"You make quite an entrance."
"Thank you, sir," I say, sipping the coffee, which contains hints of vanilla and cinnamon. "Great coffee."
Laughing, he puts a plate in front of me and takes a seat across the table, chewing at a piece of bacon as he tries looking down the blanket at my chest. Feigning another stretch, I shed the blanket and go about eating my breakfast, for I feel hunger tickling at my stomach.
"You are a goddess."
I can't keep from blushing and look away for a moment, pushing an egg around the plate in distraction. "I'm just a girl, Josh. Don't turn me into some mythic being."
He bursts into laughter, which goes on for some time, bringing tears to his eyes. Finally, he calms down and lets out a slow, long sigh, eyes pinned to mine and containing perhaps a hint of sadness. "Maybe you are too young to understand how things are yet."
"I won't argue with you. Tell me how it is," I say, leaning on my elbows.
"Last night I won a lottery. Every other night, girls like you are the bane of my existence, torturing me and vexing me and teasing me until they have used every bit of my soul. After that, they dump me by the side of the road like a piece of trash."
Reflecting on his words, I sip my coffee and wait to see if he will say more. I do not understand, for I find him to be a handsome man. I can't speak for the hearts of other women, however and do not know what he suffers. "I am here now. Try to enjoy this time and not think of the future or the past."
"It's not the same. You are promised to another and will soon leave. I'll never have someone like you," he says, rising to clear the table.
The reference of Ray brings a smile to my face, but I feel sad for him, standing at the sink with slumped shoulders washing the dishes. I join him and put my arms around his waist, leaning my cheek against his back. His muscles tense and I am unsure of what I am about to say and do, but, gathering myself, I clear my throat to speak, rising on my toes and pressing my lips against his ear.
"Forget everything else, whatever you have experienced. Today, I am yours. Do with me whatever you want." The water continues to run, but he stops moving and I know his mind churns my words, spinning and turning them, looking for hidden meanings. Reaching through the folds in his robe, I rub the soft skin with my hands, tracing over the tip, trying to get him to react. "What are your orders, sir?"
"Start by doing the dishes," he says, grabbing his coffee and taking a seat at the kitchen table. He lights a cigarette and watches me, smiling as I stare at him. I did not expect that, but I push my hands into the soapy water and begin scrubbing plates. "Open your legs a little, even with your shoulders."
