Hard Man

25

"Don't argue with me in public. I'll make sure we finish it in private."
    — General Babalola Halal

"I wish I made pasta," Adeiza groaned. "But the General loves to eat something light in the morning and I don't want wahala."

Des laughed, crunching on the apple she had taken from the fridge. It's her first time inside the kitchen and she's surprised by how efficient Aidezia really was. Not only did he have great recipes, he was very clean.

"This one you stayed with me inside the kitchen today," he said, throwing her a glance as he scooped the fried eggs from the frying pan into a bowl.

"Are you complaining?" Des teased, eating the last bite of the apple.

"Complaining? What? I'm happy," he laughed. "I'm used to working alone here, but it's nice to be able to talk to someone instead of stark silence."

"Hmm."

Des understood why he was questioning her presence, because it was something she had never done before. It wasn't something she even planned. She had been unable to sleep through the night, so she decided to come down as early as she could this morning to eat and watch TV. But when she arrived for breakfast, Adeiza had only just started preparing the food. Instead of going back upstairs to wallow in self-pity and regrets, she opted to stay in the kitchen with him and enjoy his company until breakfast was ready.

There were many things she regretted in life, but walking away from the General last night tops the list. Even now, hours after, she could still feel the pressure of his tongue on her neck, the warmth of his breath on her neck. She had gone back to her room horny as hell...and there had been nothing she could do about it. What would have happened between them if she had stayed? Would they have had sex? Would they cuddle after? Would she have woken up in his bed this morning? Or would she have returned to her room after sex? Too many questions...all she knew was that she had waited for that moment for so long, and she ruined it.

"Des?" She heard Adeiza call and looked up to see him staring at her. "You can go to the dining table, I'll serve breakfast."

"Call me Chioma," she said. "Okay?"

Adeiza's smile was bright. "Sure."

Des smiled back at him and climbed down the counter with a rumbling stomach. When she was here, it was easy to forget everything about Safari and the life she had lived. The name "Des" was an abbreviation for "Desire", which was her identity there, she wanted to leave it behind. She took a seat at the table, eager for breakfast to arrive.

"Chioma, would you like tea, coffee, juice, or a milkshake?" Adeiza called from inside the kitchen. 

"Milkshake?" Des laughed. "To eat bread and eggs? Are you joking?"

"That's how I do it." Adeiza peeked out the door with a pout. "It's so nice."

Des shrugged. She had nothing to lose. "Okay. I'll try it. What flavor is the milkshake?"

"Let me surprise you," he winked and disappeared into the kitchen again.

Just when Des was starting to relax, she heard the thud of footsteps coming from the stairway. She began to hyperventilate because she recognized the steps immediately. She looked to her left and right, unable to find an escape. She couldn't run into the kitchen, because there was no other exit door, she would have to walk right past him to get to the stairs.

"Oh shit," she murmured when she felt him behind her.

The footsteps came closer and closer until the General walked past her to take the seat across the dining table. She caught a whiff of his fresh male scent and was instantly reminded of his wet tongue on her neck again. She clamped her thighs together, silently begging her body to behave.