When he saw her on the other side of his door, his heart fell. She was a sight for sore eyes, for sure, but her being there meant his night was taking an unexpected turn. He was enjoying his night too much for any altercation. A few drinks and three barster, he still thought his night would’ve been better at home.


    His heart and his mind was saying one thing, but his body couldn’t resist her. He knew she wasn’t faithful to him, even though he hasn’t got any proof yet, but her behavior was sending all the signs. He knew he didn’t have half much fun being with her than being with Julie, but Kelsey was still his girlfriend. If he ended it with Kelsey for no apparent reason, he would’vee out as a jerk, and lose his friendship with Julie as a result.


    So when they were back at his vi, in his bedroom, despite all the scenarios he had yed in his head, he sumbed to his bodily weakness. It was easy, it was quick, and it was good. The regret that cameter was pretty much useless and unnecessary. He made love to his girlfriend while there’s another girl in his mind. Just like so many others do.


    He busied himself at Ardor the morning after, tried to steer clear from the two besties who were catching up and reconnecting. It will never be the same again to have a casual conversation with Kelsey and Julie, not with how sure he was with his feelings then. When they came to Ardor, he focused on his work, left Kelsey to mingle with his employees and Julie worked on herptop.


    Before he knew it, he heard loudughs between Kelsey and her new friends, and the day ended with her going to the clubs with them. Julie locked herself in her room to draft her report while he took a book and overslept on the couch.


    *********


    The days after Kelsey left were not much different. Her visit was like a wake up call for the both of them. They find ways to distance themselves from each other and upy their minds with distractions. Hoping the things they feel for each other would slowly fade away.


    With every brush of skin, idental touches, and innocent gaze, the task gets much harder. The coffee breaks they shared, the books they read, words that came out of their mouths sat well with one another. The more they tried to stay away, the more they wanted to get closer.


    It was close to midnight, Ardor had been closed since 10 PM. Julie was doing her report in the office, Nathan was still working on his new recipe in the kitchen. Everyone else had gone home. She sat back on her chair and checked her watch. She closed herptop and went to the kitchen.


    She folded her arms in front of her watching Nathan decorated his food. Everything was misced, she was staring at an hour of cleaning at the very least.


    “I was wondering if you were done … I guess not?” she startled him.


    “What time is it?”


    “A little after twelve.”


    “Really? I lost track of time, these things took some time to master …e and try this, I’m finally done with it but I need your taste bud, give me an honest review,” he made a hand gesture for her toe closer.


    “That looks incredible … what are those?”


    Nathan had neatly ted the desert on the kitchen table. “These are tiny balls of heaven … not that I will name them that,” heughed. “Chocte base, obviously, filled with liquid gourmet coffee also mixed with a little bit of chocte … the other one is filled with oozing red syrup, a mixture of rum and strawberry … and some other stuff I put in with different techniques.” He went on exining every delicious detail he put in the desert. He made an apanying red sauce that he drizzled on the te. He cut through one of the balls, the liquid oozed out of it and looked as beautiful as a desert could look.


    He scooped the piece with his spoon and fed it to her. She took it all in, and let it dissolved in her mouth. Her eyes widened, she devoured it slowly and let the mixture of taste explode in her palette. Nathan waited for herment, but she just couldn’t open her mouth to do anything other than savoring the wonderful pleasure she’s having inside.


    She opened her palm as a sign for him to wait, and then she started tough. “Oh my God, how many did you make?”


    “A few … maybe five or six of each,” he was still waiting for her review.


    “I think I’m gonna have to taste some more, just to be sure, you know? Where are they?” she peeked over the table.


    “Well … are they good?” he was curious.


    “Have you tasted these?” she asked.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    “No, I just finished when you came in.”


    Julie furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head, “Oh they’re terrible … that’s why I need to be sure, I have to take another bite, and then I want to try another one, see if they’re consistent,” she scooped the rest of the chocte ball.


    “Terrible? You’re not serious, are you?” He opened the fridge and took out the other balls he made, he was going to take a bite himself when Julie yanked the te off his hand.


    “No … those are mine, you’re gonna have to make more if you want to try it.” She took one from the te and shoved it in her mouth.


    Nathan rested his hand on his waist, and pointed at her with another. “I see what you’re doing, so I guess it’s that good, huh?” he had a wide smile on his face.


    She lifted her eyebrows and nodded, “I have never tasted anything this good in my entire life.” She took another ball and put it inside her mouth.


    “How’s the texture? Is it moist enough? The coffee? Is it thick enough?”


    She raised her palm and shook her head, “I can’t exin in detail, this is just really really really good, is that a good enough review?” She was talking with her mouth full.


    “No … I have to taste it then, I need the details to see if it needs fixing or adjustment.” He walked over to Julie, but she stepped away to avoid him. “Julie … can you at least give me one? So I know what it tastes like?” They started to circle the kitchen table.


    “I don’t know … maybe …” she looked at the te, there were two more left. She took one, and ate it. “You know … it’s better if you make some more tomorrow, and then everyone can taste it.” She put the te on the table and took thest piece with her hand.


    “Do you know how long it takes to make them? Please tell me you’re giving that to me?”


    They stood across with each other, he stared at her half amused.


    “If I eat thisst one, does that mean you’re gonna have to make more tomorrow? she had a yful look on her face.


    Nathan put both hands on his waist, he was going to y her game. “If you eat thatst one … I’m gonna have to take it out of your mouth.”


    Julie looked serious, she thought for a moment. “No … you wouldn’t.”


    He leaned forward against the table, “You want to try it and find out?”


    Her heart was racing, she didn’t think it through. She held thest piece in her hand, and walked slowly to her left. Nathan was ready for the chase. She barely took three steps away when Nathan sprinted over to her and grabbed her by the waist. She screamed andughed before he turned her around.


    “Give me back my ball!”


    That made herugh even louder. She held the ball high as he tried to reach it but he kept dodging his hand. At some point, his eyes fell on hers. She didn’t know how tempted he was to kiss her, but she felt it in his stare. She was terrified when he leaned his face closer to her, then she shoved thest piece of chocte into his mouth. The look of shock on his face was priceless. She covered her mouth with one hand, but couldn’t prevent herugh from spilling out. “I’m sorry …” still trying to control herugh.


    He chewed on the ball with an annoyed expression.


    “I’m sorry …” she was stillughing at him.


    “You know I could’ve choked?” he attempted to make her feel guilty.


    She tapped on his chest, still couldn’t stop herughing. “You should see the look on your face.” She looked over her shoulder and realized Nathan’s arms were still wrapped around her waist.


    He wasn’t going to let her go. His mind was racing, it was the closest he had ever been with her, and he didn’t want it to end.


    Their eyes met. They were silent this time. Her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.


    “Nathan … I think we should go now,” she said.


    He paused. He tried to process it. He wanted to say ‘no’, but he let go of her instead.


    “I’ll help you clean this out,” she was back, being casual.


    Nathan looked down and drew a long breath, something was stuck in his stomach, and he couldn’t get it out. He didn’t say a word. Not in the kitchen, and not in the car all the way back to his vi.