THICK(5)

He shifts out of my way so I can enter his home and I smile as I step inside. I’m excited to see his place, so I take a calming breath because I know what happens when I get overly excited. I keep thinking about how deep his voice sounds and what it does to my body. I want to know who he is and everything about him.

My cheeks heat when I think about standing in the hallway and hearing his voice. He’d been merely a few feet away from me and he’d been naked. Or so he said. I hadn’t thought much on it at the time, but now that I’m actually seeing him it’s all I can think about.

I was supposed to be unpacking, but I kept checking my peephole to see if he came out. I wanted to get a glimpse of the mystery man with the deep voice because I had a feeling he’d be big.

He doesn't seem so sure about inviting me into his space when I glance up at him. I stop for a second, feeling uneasy. I’m used to some people not wanting me to come over. My parents had a set of friends who outright said it. They weren't friends after that.

“If you don’t want to eat together, it’s fine,” I say as I try to give him a way to back out.

I worry my bottom lip between my teeth as the bags begin to feel heavy in my hands. How much food did he order? My stomach growls in protest because I’m hungry and want the food. I hadn't thought about getting food for my place yet and I’m not sure how it slipped my mind. I guess I’m so used to living at home with my mom. She always made sure I was fed.

“No,” he says as the door closes behind me. The lock clicks as I turn to meet his eyes. “Let me grab a shirt.”

“Okay. I’ll set this out.” I walk to the dining room area off the kitchen.

“Plates are in the top left cabinet,” he says, pointing. “I’ll be right back.”

He gives me one last look before he turns and walks down the long hallway. Bull’s place is way bigger than mine. It has to be at least double the size, if not bigger. What if he lives with someone else?

I glance around his place to try and find any feminine touches. It doesn’t look like there’s much, but it also doesn’t look super manly either. Everything in here is practical, but nothing really beyond that.

I open the bag and pull out a number of different containers. He got enough to feed a small army, but with his size he might need this much to function. I walk to the kitchen and open the cabinet then let out a long sigh when I see the plates are out of my reach.

Looking around, I don’t see a step stool, but it’s not as though Bull would ever need one. I try and pull myself up onto the counter because if I could get my knees up there I could reach them. I push up, but when I’m almost there my arms give out. I scream as I fall backwards, knowing I’m going to hit the hard floor and knock the wind out of myself.

Two big arms catch me before that can happen. I stare up at Bull, who cradles me in his arms and pulls me close to his warm body. He smells like lemon and soap and it’s so fresh and yummy.

“Where did you come from?” I laugh, because I didn’t hear him come into the kitchen. He must move fast for a big man.

“You should be more careful,” he responds, but he doesn't make a move to put me down. Instead he carries me over to the dining room table, where he puts me in one of the seats. “I’ll get the plates.”

He smiles as he shakes his head at me. My heart does a silly flutter because he finds my clumsiness funny instead of annoying.

I put my hands in my lap and try to be still so I don’t cause an accident. I usually don’t care because I’m used to it, but with Bull I want him to invite me back over. Maybe I could invite him over to my place next. Is that what people do? He not only invited me in but he bought me food too. It was supposed to be dropped off, and it wasn't until I knocked on his door that he invited me in. Maybe his manners got the best of him and he’s only doing the polite thing. I tried to give him an out but he hadn't taken it. Although he could still be trying to be polite. A quick dinner with me might save him from the awkwardness in the future.

I watch as he grabs a couple of plates and forks before coming back over to the table and setting them down. One plate is in front of me and the other is all the way on the other side of the table.

“Sit here.” I point to the chair that’s at the head of the table. That would put him close enough to me that I could reach out and touch him and still be able to gaze at his handsome face.

“Okay,” is his only response as he moves to where I pointed.

“I mean, you can sit anywhere, it just might be easier to share like this,” I quickly add. I watch as he fights a smile and his whole body shakes with silent laugher.

“Here is fine, Teeny.” He sits and then begins to remove the tops of the containers.

I watch him as he uses a serving spoon to lift a giant pile of food out to me. There is no way I can eat all that, but I don’t want to be rude because he’s been so nice to me. I lift my plate to meet the giant spoonful he’s holding halfway across the table. But before he can put the food on it, the plate slips from my hand and hits the marble. It shatters on the hard surface and I gasp.

“I’m so sorry,” I rush to say.

He puts the spoon down into the container and I reach for the broken pieces. He grabs my wrist and my eyes fly to his. He’s never going to invite me over here again. I almost fall off his counter and then I break his dishes. I’ve only been in his home a couple of minutes and I’m already a mess. My face flares with embarrassment and he looks tense. I don’t see a trace of anger though.