Reasons Why

Chapter Thirteen

Reluctantly he pulled back and turned to flip the steaks, then retrieved two baked potatoes from the oven.              

                “Do you want to eat in here or outside?”

                “Here’s fine,” she offered sipping her wine, watching as he pulled butter, sauces and sour cream from the fridge to set in front of her, then plates and cutlery. Everything was ready when he lifted the thick steaks off the grill.

Chloe was in culinary heaven, the steak was delicious and she took the opportunity to tell him repeatedly through the meal.  Luke basked in her praise, it was a simple meal, but he was pleased to be appreciated.  And it was great to see Chloe with such a healthy appetite.

                “That was amazing!” Chloe folded her hands across her stomach. “You get the job as my chef! I can have that meal every day!”

He laughed, “I’m glad that you enjoyed!”

Taking the plates, she made to start cleaning up when Luke pointed to a door further along the kitchen, “I’m a single man! That’s a dishwasher!”

Nodding knowingly, she loaded the plates, bowls and cutlery in to it, then turned back to Luke. He was watching her with an amused look on his face.  As she raised an eyebrow questioningly, he reached out and ensnared her, pulling her into his arms. He liked her presence here in the house, in his life, but didn’t know how to vocalise that. So instead he showed her how he felt instead.

Chloe opened an eye, for a moment the modern, airy and well lit bedroom was unfamiliar. Then she remembered where she was. Luke’s house.

Glancing to her left, she smiled, he was fast asleep, his beautiful face relaxed, his breathing even, his thigh tossed over hers and an arm possessively held her close. For a moment memories of the previous night flashed into her mind. No stone had been left unturned, and she couldn’t remember ever feeling so worshipped. She stretched, that was what she had been, desired, devoured and thoroughly consumed. Her body ached, in a wonderful way.

 Glancing at the clock she realised it was almost six; she really needed to get back to Phil’s. Luke would drive her, she knew that, but he looked so content she didn’t want to disturb him. As she slipped from his embrace she denied to herself that this was running away, that she was putting a little distance between her and him. 

She gathered her clothes, then dressed in the bathroom. When she emerged he was still asleep, so she left him. In the kitchen was a wipe clean message board, and she scribbled a message to him on that.

                 “You looked too comfortable to wake. You’re a great chef! Call me later, x” 

Chloe deliberated over the kiss at the end, but decided it wasn’t giving the wrong vibe and left it. Out on the street, in her yesterday’s clothes, the walk of shame started.  It was only as she started to walk away from the house that she realised how far away from Phil she was. She’d have to phone him, get him to pick her up. That was not a great thought. But then like a mirage in the desert, a taxi complete with a yellow for hire light, emerged from a road in front of her. Jumping into the road she waved it down then reeled off Phil’s address.

As the car whizzed along the coast, she thought of Luke waking without her. He’d find her note though and know why she’d left. Wouldn’t he? Her thoughts rolled back to the previous night, it had been amazing, the final part of the picture had fallen in to place, and now as the distance from his house increased, she wished she was back there with him ready for an encore. 

It took less than five minutes to reach Phil’s home, but as she let herself in she heard a dramatic cough. Kicking off her shoes, she turned to see Phil, arms folded like an angry Dad, but he was trying, and failing to hide his laughter. 

“Ok, ok, ok! I know! But I’m a big girl!” She responded.

Didi emerged from the lounge still in her pyjamas and play punched Phil’s shoulder. “Leave her alone, we were young once!” 

“Thanks Didi! But I should’ve called last night maybe. But...” 

The older woman smiled, “as I say love, we were young once too! Believe it or not!”

Phil and Didi had barely left for work when the phone rang. “I can’t believe you ran away!”

Chloe smiled to herself, she knew that Luke had his pride dented, “you looked so comfortable, I didn’t want to disturb you!”

                “Hell Chloe! You ran out on me like you’re embarrassed of something. Have you any idea how awful I felt waking up? How did you get home? I was going to drive you.”

Chloe really didn’t think about how he would feel. Her only thought had been to get out and regroup, work out what she was feeling in the aftermath of such a wonderful night. Now he was on the phone upset, hurt. “I’m sorry Luke, I had to get back early. You were so peaceful...I found a taxi.”

He sighed, “Great! Why do I feel that we take one step forward and three steps back? Jeez you drive me insane woman.”

She didn’t want to push him away, not anymore, the journey back earlier had given her that clarity, maybe her early morning flit had backfired, “Luke, I’m sorry. I’m just...this is screwed up me ok? I don’t do the right things...”

                 “Is that supposed to make it easier on me?”

             “Come for breakfast. I’ll cook for you...I don’t want us to argue Luke. I really enjoyed last night, I like being with you.” 

He was stunned into silence for a moment, but he eventually managed, “I’ve got training at ten, but I’ll come for an hour first. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” With that he hung up to deal with his own emotions. 

Chloe sung as she showered, her world had seemed to re-tilt this morning; suddenly things were a little clearer. She’d met a wonderful man who wanted to spoil her, she worried about the future, whether her heart would cope when she left him, but she now knew she wanted to spend time with him, here, while she could. 

She had finger combed her wet hair and pulled on her favourite denim shorts and a strappy top by the time the door bell rang. Both children were still asleep, so it would be just the two of them. 

He was on the doorstep in training shorts and a t-shirt, shades covering his eyes so that she couldn’t read his mood. Rather than waiting for him to initiate a conversation, she leaned on to her tiptoes and placed her lips on his.

All protests and confusion were lost for Luke as he melted into the kiss, he was angry and hurt that much was true, but with Chloe wrapped around him kissing him so passionately, and a wonderful smell of breakfast wafting from the kitchen, he couldn’t be angry for long.