The Vessel - Jenika Snow Page 0,21

should be getting home,” she said, the words trailing off before she looked over her shoulder toward the foyer. She glanced back at me, and I wanted to tell her I really would love her company, but I kept myself in check, not wanting to push her. This was her decision. “But if you’re sure? I won’t be any trouble?”

Trouble? Fuck no.

But I didn’t say that. I just shook my head slowly. “Of course not.” She licked her lips and nodded slowly. “If you’re sure, then yes. I’d actually love to stay. Going home to an empty apartment doesn’t sound very appealing right now.”

My chest clenched at the tone of her voice. I’d find out what happened to her, and then I’d handle it.

And I’d make whoever hurt her pay tenfold.

13

Elise

I didn’t know what had gotten into me when I agreed to stay to eat dinner with Lucius. It was highly unprofessional, but he offered, and the truth was, I didn’t want to go home alone right now. It was awfully lonely at my apartment, and a little company with the man who was consuming my thoughts and feelings sounded pretty incredible.

I was embarrassed about the bruise on my face. I knew he wouldn’t let it go, and I had to admit it literally was my fault. There was no doubt he thought someone hit me, which was a reasonable conclusion to come to. Because what idiot falls into a door and gets herself the nasty mark I had on my face?

We didn’t want to bother going to the formal dining room, and I was thankful. I’d feel highly uncomfortable eating in the fancy, opulent room.

Instead, he set the aluminum containers on the little nook kitchen table, pulled the chair out for me like a gentleman, and I sat down and gave him a grateful smile. Then he waited on me. I watched silently as he grabbed a bottle of wine, two glasses out of the cupboard, and the corkscrew.

He moved back and forth a few times collecting what he needed.

Although Lucius wasn’t pretentious, so I didn’t know why I was acting surprised he was waiting on me, it felt a little bit awkward given the fact that I’d been working at his house all day, cleaning, preparing stuff. It was weird, because I was his employee.

But now, here he was serving me dinner, opening the wine, with me still in my work uniform. He poured me a glass of red wine and then stood there, looking down at me with this gentle expression on his face. I had no doubt this wine was expensive as hell, definitely not the boxed wine I splurged on at the supermarket.

I didn’t miss the fact that he kept glancing at my bruise. I knew he wasn’t going to let that go. But I also didn’t know why he was just standing there. He was waiting for something. I shifted on the seat when I realized he was waiting for me to try the wine. I felt so out of place and not in my element, but I reached out and picked up the glass, bringing it to my nose and inhaling deeply. I’d seen enough movies to at least pretend like I knew what I was doing.

I hummed my approval and flicked a glance at him, seeing the corner of his mouth twitch as if he were amused. And then I took a long pull from the glass, drinking the sweet-flavored liquid. A genuine sound of pleasure left me, and he made a deep sound in his throat of approval before he poured himself a glass and sat down.

I looked down at the meal in front of me. Lucius had it so nicely presented on a plate. He’d even done up the place setting, with a fork and knife beside me, a linen napkin beside those. Roberto was an incredible cook, and I’d taken a few meals home from time to time. So I knew I was in for a real delicacy.

There was a square of lasagna, the steam coming off of it, the cheese melted and slightly browned on the top. A side salad was in a little bowl beside the plate, a red wine vinegar and olive oil dressing drizzled on top, a little bit of salt and pepper finishing it off. There was a slice of garlic bread on the napkin, and a tiny sprig of basil beside the lasagna slice. I knew all of this was homemade by Roberto.