Page 121 of Illicit Games

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“Do you want me to make myself scarce when you talk to her?”

I lift my face from the crook of Iris’s neck as she stands before the stove with me pressed flush against her back. I watch her flip the pancake like a pro, which she’s cooking to cheer me up. Turning off the stove, I turn her around.

“Hey! It’s not done yet,” she protests.

“Why would you even ask me that?” I demand, capturing her chin and lifting her confused gaze to mine.

Understanding dawns, softening the blue hue in her pupils. Gripping my biceps, she murmurs, “I thought you might want privacy. I don’t want to intru—”

I press a finger against her lips, cutting her off before she can finish the ridiculous sentence. “Don’t ever, I meanever, think you could be intruding on me with your presence. Whether I’m alone or with someone else. I don’t care about the bullshitrule other couples have about wanting ‘me time’ from their partners. It isn’t going to be us. Am I clear?”

“Crystal.” A huge grin lifts her lips.

“I need you by my side, not today, but always.”

“Then I’ll be right here. Whatever you need, love.”

The alarm rings around the apartment as the front door opens, before going silent. Soft footfalls sound coming down the hallway.

I let Iris go with a kiss to the top of her head.

“Must be Sonya,” she comments, turning around to finish the pancakes. “She comes on Fridays.”

As she predicted, our housekeeper, dressed in her uniform, enters the dining area. Her eyes go round upon seeing us for a brief moment before she politely smiles at us. “Hello.”

“Hii, Sonya,” chirps Iris.

I go take a seat at the head of the dining table and nod at Sonya in greeting. Nervousness flitters across her face. It’s understandable. She’s seen me more at home in the last few months than she has in all the years she’s worked for me.

“How are ya?” asks Iris. “Want some pancakes? You can start cleaning later.”

“No, thank you. I already had breakfast.”

“Tea, then?” suggests Iris, making it obvious they’re friendly. “After you’re done.”

Aware my rainbow won’t budge, Sonya answers with a soft smile, “Sure.”

Iris carries the plate overflowing with perfect pancakes and Hershey’s syrup in her other hand. I take them from her and put them on the table. She mumbles a thanks after I pull out her chair for her to sit down.

“I thought the pancakes were just for me,” I tease, aching to hear her hypnotic laugh. She fulfills my wish, making my chest burst with warmth.

“Sharing is caring, love.”

“Whoever said it didn’t have you. Or he’d be changing his tune.”

My favorite pink hue darkens the apples of her cheeks as she bites her lip. “Okay, no sharing.”

“Good girl.” Passing me a plate, she serves me a piece. I’m eager as I dig in with my fork and take a bite. My hum of delight is loud, making her grin proudly. “Scrumptious, Rainbow. Eat yours too.”

As we eat in silence, the mood turns somber. Halfway into breakfast, she cautiously asks, “Have you thought about what you’re going to say to her?”

It’s all I’ve pondered since finding out. It doesn’t matter whether or not I’ve prepared a long list of questions if she isn’t willing to talk. I mean, she hasn’t till now.

I don’t do feelings or deep conversations, unless it’s with Iris. With her, it comes naturally, as though I’ve been doing it my whole life. Until her, I didn’t even believe in soulmates or any romantic notions. Now that I’ve found my other half, you couldn’t make me believe otherwise.

“We don’t know if she’ll want to talk or not, Iris,” I reply hopelessly.