Dear Heart, You Screwed Me

We had just finished dessert, Killian’s housekeeper cleaned our dishes away before bringing a tray of cookies, milk and a cup and saucer.

“I thought you would like a cup of tea?” Killian smiled opposite me, I blushed at the thought of his mouth and what it done to me a couple of hours ago. My insides were still reeling.

“Oh, thank you,” I smiled, “I would love a cup of tea.”

Killian sat back beaming, he looked like the cat who had got the cream.

No pun intended.

Reaching for the teacup, I saw a tea bag floating in scalding hot water.

“I’m impressed,” I wink at him.

“I went and bought a kettle just for you.”

I felt the burn in Connie’s stare volleying back and forth between me and her dad.

“Am I late to the party or something…?”

“You were, yes,” Killian laughs before reaching for a cookie, then passing the plate to Connie which she takes along with a glass of milk.

“No, I don’t mean literally,” she rolled her eyes, “you two… You’re acting all weird.”

I widen my eyes as I look at Connie then back to Killian.

Killian pipes up.

“No, my God Connie. Don’t be so disrespectful. Me and Reese work together, I know she likes tea and, I am trying to cheer her up a little seeing as she lost her job.”

“She walked out,” Connie interjected, a sly smile on her face.

“Fine, she walked out, but she would have lost her job anyway.”

Connie nodded and shrugged at the same time as she dipped a cookie into the milk.

I lost myself amongst their chatter… I didn’t want Connie knowing. What we done earlier was reckless and too risky. You don’t play with fire, especially not that close to home.

I leaned and grabbed the small milk jug and added a splash to my tea, stirring the milk in and watching it change colour. Straining my tea bag against the side, I spooned it out and put it on the tray.

“You don’t leave the teabag in?” Killian asked, he sounded a little dumbfounded.

“No,” I laughed softly, shaking my head as I grabbed a teaspoon of sugar. I don’t normally have sugar but I fancied it tonight.

“Have you never had a tea like this?”

“No we haven’t,” Connie said, Killian just smiled.

“Well, you’re missing out,” I smirked at both of them then, brought the china teacup to my lips before blowing softly and taking a mouthful.

“Mm,” I hummed in appreciation, “I can’t remember the last time I had a decent cup of tea, so thank you Killian, and pass thanks on to your housekeeper.”

Grabbing a cookie, I dipped the cookie into my tea and let it soak for a second or two then pulled it out and eating it. The chocolate chips were already softening, and the buttery cookie literally melted on the tongue.

“What the f—”

“Language,” Killian scolded.

“You’re dipping your cookie into tea?” Connie looked utterly disgusted with me.

“It’s just the same as you dipping cookies into milk…” I raised my brow while going in for another dunk.

“But the milk is cold.”

“And my tea is hot, don’t turn your nose up at it before you’ve even tried it. Back home, biscuits and tea are a delicacy,” I giggle, “even the queen likes a little dunk in her tea.”

They both stare at me.

“Well, your biscuits are different to our biscuits. We don’t just have cookies; we have all ranges of cookies for tea dunking, we call them biscuits.” I was rambling and I am sure they thought I was certified insane. “Just don’t knock it till you try it,” I shrugged, reaching for another cookie before dunking. “I could go on about the stuff you say for different things, but I think that’ll open a can of worms.’

Killian nodded in agreement as he laughed, Connie soon joining in.

“What are you going to do about your apartment now that you’ve left Lordes?” Connie asked as she took a mouthful of milk.

The sheer panic that coursed over me made me sweat, the shiver of fear that danced up and down my spine made me nauseous.

“Shit,” I stammered out, my eyes moving to Connie. “I didn’t even think of my apartment.” Gasping, I moved my hand over my mouth. “I think I am going to be sick.” Closing my eyes, I tried my best to push the feeling down. It was just my anxiety, we hit panic mode and that isn’t good for me or my body.

“I’m sorry Reese, I didn’t even think,” Connie pushed away from her chair as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

“Don’t say sorry. It’s my fault, I have been so consumed in everything else that I forgot the most important thing. If I don’t find a steady job, I’ll have to go back home.” I felt my throat tighten, the burning lump lodging itself there.

“You won’t have to go home.” Connie stroked my hair, “you can move in with me and my moms, plus we will find you a job.”

“She has a job,” Killian interjected. “If she doesn’t want to go back to Lordes, she has a job with me… as with moving, I have a spare bedroom here for you.”

I sniffled, hugging Connie.

“Thank you,” I whispered, “and thank you Killian, that’s very kind of you. If you’re happy with me working with you I would be honoured, but just until I find something else, I don’t want to be a charity case.” I smile and he nods firmly, but I know how Killian works.

“And with the moving, Connie, I would love to move in with you and your mums, if they would have me of course.”

I saw Killian clench the tablecloth.

“No, no,” Killian shook his head, “I insist you stay here, I own your apartment, but it’s tied in with my finances with Lordes so I can’t rent it out to you, unless you are a Lordes employee. Some bullshit with the contract, so I insist, that you stay here until I can figure this out and get your apartment back.”

“Dad!” Connie shouted at him, pulling away from me and crossing her arms across her chest. “She is staying with me, stop trying to be the hero,” Connie huffed.

“If you say so,” Killian’s lips twitched as he took a mouthful of his drink.

I rolled my eyes, gaining a clenched jaw and a sly smirk to cross Killian’s lips.

I loved that it turned him on.