Cake Love: All Things Payne(13)

A shiver just ran up my spine. I could be naked in Henrik's home. Hmm.

"I don't know Henrik, perhaps it’s best if I go home."

"Look Morgana, we are going to be in a foreign country next week, living and working side by side. It is best if we work out any issues now so things aren't strained over there."

He's right. I know myself; I won't even be able to look at him tomorrow let alone for an entire week, not to mention the flight later this evening. I nod and give him my hand. He directs me to the elevators.

Once we are inside the light wood paneled lift, he inserts a keycard into the wall and the elevator immediately begins moving up with no further instructions from him.

"What are you with maintenance?"

"No, I have to have a key to get to my apartment."

I look at him and tilt my head.

"You mean your floor, Henrik?"

"No, Morgana, I mean my apartment."

Just at that moment the doors of the elevator open and we step into his apartment. Henrik Payne has the penthouse of the building. His apartment is the entire floor. My mouth falls open as does my purse, falling to the ground and various items roll out.

I watch as a man I don't know bends down to grab my lipstick, mints, floss, and tampon to put back into my bag. He stands and hands me the purse.

"Ah, thank you." I blush knowing that everyone saw the tampon.

"You are quite welcome Miss." His British accent causes me to giggle and I suddenly feel like I could be in one of those period dramas on PBS. Please let his name be Jeeves, or Coleman! Or Higgins!

"Morgana this is Winston, my butler."

I jump up and down clapping my hands.

"Oh God! That is perfect. Winston it is a pleasure, I'm sure."

The last line I try to say in my best British accent, but it comes out Jamaican. Every time I try to do an accent it sounds Jamaican.

Winston smiles and nods his head at me.

"Pleasure to meet you Miss." He turns his attention to Henrik.

"Winston, Morgana would like to take a shower and we will need to get her a new pair of jeans."

"Very good sir. There is hot chocolate in the living room and I started the fire for you and your guest."

Winston turns and I watch as his silver hair sways from a short ponytail as he retreats down a hall.

"That was so cool! I have never met a British butler before. Oh, and we are going to London tomorrow, will Winston be coming with us?"

Henrik moves around me and waves for me to follow.

"No, Winston will be staying here. I think I can manage a week without a butler."

"But can I, Henrik? I think that is the point. Now that I know of his existence I must have him bring me tea and crumpets, and say 'very good miss' and all that stuff."

His laughter fills the large room we have entered. There are two tan sofas with a huge brown suede chair facing a fireplace so big I could walk into it. I now want to live in that fireplace -- provided no one ever starts it up again. On either side of the massive fireplace is a wall of windows overlooking Lake Michigan.

I press my face to the glass and stare at the misty fog and choppy waves below.

"Can I marry your apartment? I promise to let you have visiting rights but I think I want to put a ring on it."

I watch his reflection come up beside me in the glass and feel the vibration from his laughter as he leans on the window.

"For what it's worth Morgana, I did look forward to our online chats. You always made me laugh, not many people can do that. As for marrying my place I thought you said once you were marrying cake. Are you two-timing now?"

I turn my face from the glass, realizing I just smeared lipstick on it. Trying to cover my smudge I rub my sleeve on the window, making it worse.

"I can lead a double life. Cake on the weekends and this apartment during the week. Cake will never find out.”

Henrik nods and pulls a tissue from his pocket and wipes away the smudge from the window. I feel my cheeks flame. First I spill the contents of my purse, then smudge up his window, what's next? Will I accidentally poop on his floor? Can I be any more of a doofus?

He reaches over to cup my chin and brings it towards him. Oh my God he's going to kiss me. Do I want him to kiss me? He accused me of some terrible stuff at the coffee shop and has really screwed with my brain the past few months. It would be wise for me to back away from him and walk out that door. Oh who am I kidding, I'm far from wise. Kiss away Henrik!

I close my eyes and start to pucker my lips when I feel something brushing my chin. Oh, he likes to start slow. Okay I can get into that. There is another brush of my cheek and I moan to help him along.

"Did I press too hard Morgana?"

"Oh no Henrik it felt just right. I..." I open my eyes to see him with the tissue trying to wipe my cheek. Suddenly it occurs to me I have smeared lipstick on my face. He's being gentlemanly and cleaning it up, while I moan and tell him how right it feels. Please kill me.

"The shower is ready Miss. I have ordered your pants and it will arrive while you are cleaning. I shall lay it on the guest bed for you."

I look over to see Winston pointing down the hall. To escape my mortification as quickly as possible without looking back at Henrik, I follow Winston down the hall to a large gray bedroom that has a king sized bed in it. We round the corner to a gorgeous en-suite bathroom. I stop at the door as my eyes gaze upon what can only be described as one of the wonders of the world. It is magnificent.