Owned by Him by Sam Crescent

at.”
    She chuckled, digging in her
purse for her keys.
    “I can’t believe how much
fun I’ve had. I didn’t think it was possible to be so happy from just shopping.”
She pushed the door open, letting him through.
    He went straight toward her
kitchen. Elijah started unloading bags as Amber did the same from the sitting
room. Looking across the space that separated them, he felt calm. There was no
arguing or fighting. They were both getting on with the task of unloading their
stuff.
    Elijah knew he could live
like this. She bent over the coffee table and started to arrange her vases. He
admired her full rounded ass and grew hard, staring at her. Diving into his
bag, Elijah began to unpack everything. He put the chocolate and butter to one
side and then started looking for some flour in her cupboards.
    He took the time to spread
everything out on the counter, separating the ingredients into the main meal
and the dessert.
    Amber brushed past him to
put the wine she’d purchased in the fridge. “I called Ashley to cover for me
this weekend.”
    “Heather has plans with
Julian.” He couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth. Her friends knew
about them. To her friends it was no big secret. He figured both women would
tell Connie when they were ready.
    “Yeah. Connie and Ashley usually plan to do something
together. It’s fun and always something to do with
Wade. Ashley is trying to set Connie up with him. The man is in love with her,
but he won’t make a move. He’s driving Ashley crazy.”
    “His gaze follows her
everywhere.” Elijah had noticed the other guy’s attention toward Connie. He
thought it was sweet, but if Wade didn’t get her attention soon, then someone
else was going to sweep in and take it.
    “I know. He keeps trying to
ask her out, but he balks at the last minute. I think Connie’s losing patience
with him. She’s eating lunch elsewhere now.” Amber shrugged. He moved out of
her way as she put away some jars of coffee.
    “It’ll only be a matter of
time before she moves on,” Elijah said. He grabbed some measuring cups and
bowls to start making dessert.
    “I doubt Connie will truly
move on. She doesn’t give herself easily.”
    He guessed Connie was the most
complex member of the group even though Amber had her days in the complex
department.
    “So, what do you want me to
do?” she asked, leaning over the counter to stare at him.
    “Nothing. You can sit, chill, relax, and watch as I make you my
mean spiced pork casserole and melting chocolate puddings.”
    “ Wow, that sounds delightful. I’m going to leave you to it.”
    He watched her saunter off
to the sofa. She sat down with her feet underneath her. Clicking his fingers,
he got to work in making a dinner that Amber would remember. He’d never really
liked cooking when he was younger. Cooking had taught him patience and how best
to handle his anger and aggression. Over the years he’d taken several cookery
courses and was adept at everything he did in the kitchen. He hoped all those
years would finally be put to good use.
    Every now and then he’d look
up and see Amber either reading or watching something on the television. He
couldn’t believe how quickly she changed her mind of what she was doing. Amber
wasn’t a one track mind. Elijah watched her pick up one paperback book off her
shelf. She’d start reading, but about ten minutes later she put it back and
picked up another one. Her mind was never focused on one thing.
    Looking through their time
together, Elijah realized the only time she kept track was when she was with
him. There was no pushing or rushing her. Amber was only ever ready when she
was ready.
    He’d only just realized how different
Amber actually was from what he thought. For many years he’d figured her as
woman with a schedule and control issues. He thought that was why she let him
take control in the bedroom. It would be the only place where she’d give up
control.
    She padded toward him.