Blind: An Arrow Fanfic

Chapter 17

"I had no idea you were such an excellent cook," Felicity praised Adam, closing her eyes to savour the delicate flavours of the melt-in-your-mouth steak he's prepared. Resting on a bed of creamy mashed potato and grilled asparagus, it was pure perfection.

They were sitting across from one another at a candlelit table in his large, airy, open plan kitchen cum dining area cum living space. The strategic lighting created by pretty downlight pendants that hung above his kitchen workspace as well as the fire that danced merrily beneath the stone feature wall opposite them, added just the right hint of romance to the otherwise domesticated scene. Adam, having removed his jacket and tie just before she'd arrived, looked comfortable and relaxed while he leisurely sipped his wine.

"Thank you. I'm glad you think so," he replied, modestly, placing his glass back on the table.

She took another bite. "Seriously, where did you learn to do this?"

He shrugged, smiling, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "It became a necessity when I eventually left home. I needed to eat so I learned to make myself useful in the kitchen."

Felicity cocked her head to the side, observing him. There was something he wasn't telling her. Not wanting to pry, she decided to drop it. When he'd asked her over for dinner she'd readily accepted because she was excited to spend more time with him but also, she was terribly curious about the way he lived. He seemed so together; sophisticated and well groomed. For starters, he didn't live in an apartment; he owned a home in one of the newer residential suburbs populated mostly by young couples and up and coming singles.

Secondly, he had immaculate taste. The walls were a luxurious creamy white that perfectly complimented the gleaming wooden floors. High vaulted ceilings assisted with channeling the abundance of natural light that spilled into the space through the large windows that completely dominated one side of the room. Although it was dark at the moment, Felicity had no doubts about how lovely it would be when the sun was out. All in all, she thought it was beautiful and a rather good reflection of Adam himself; solid, warm and inviting.

"Thank you, this has been really wonderful."

"Hey, the night's still young." Moving his plate aside, he reached for her hand, his fingers idly playing with hers. "You haven't even tried dessert."

The suggestive tone in his voice made her stomach do back flips. "I'm stuffed. Perhaps we could take a break between courses?" she suggested.

He laughed, standing and moving around the table to draw her up beside him. Of their own accord, her arms lifted to circle around his neck as his hands came to rest on her hips. Kissing her softly with enough enthusiasm to get her heart skipping beats, he slowed down and raised his head. "Let me clean up while you relax in front of the fire."

Felicity shook her head. "No. You cooked, so I clean."

He placed a finger under her chin and lifted until their eyes met. "I won't allow it. You're my guest. Put your feet up and make yourself at home. I won't be long, promise."

His blue eyes smiled down at her and she felt all her crumble. "Alright. But only this one time," she warned.

"Deal." Satisfied, he dropped another kiss onto her eager lips before gently steering her in the direction of the comfortable looking sofa in front of the fire.

Taking her glass with her, Felicity sank into the soft seat and sighed with pleasure. It was nice to have someone take care of her for a while. In the background, she heard Adam moving back and forth between the kitchen and the table, carrying cutlery and crockery to and fro. Setting her glass aside, she noticed an open file on the seat beside her. Intending to close it and move it out of the way, her eyes caught and lingered on the words Starling City Orphanage. Intrigued, she called out, "Adam, you left some paperwork here. What should I do with it?"