Chapter 9: Not Boring

When the dishes were washed and the food was either put away or tossed, Eric offered to make Lila coffee from a special blend he ordered from Costa Rica. She was partial to Colombian coffee but she was willing to give it a try, especially after seeing the serious piece of coffee-making-machinery resting on top of his kitchen counter.

She sat on one of the stools at the white-marble island staring in awe as he deftly worked the professional grade espresso machine, starting with grinding the beans and packing down the filter. In moments, the coffee began to pour into blue ceramic coffee mugs he held by the drip. The large white kitchen filling with the scent of heavenly Costa Rican nectar.

That fragrance alone was worth staying longer than she'd planned.

"Is there any reason this coffee wasn't offered at brunch?" she asked him easing into the bright white cushioned stools with stiff back support.

Continuing to keep himself busy with the drinks he responded, "I don't share this blend with just anyone," he answered. "I know I don't have to tell you what I think of your friend." He turned with a mug in his hand walking it over to her, placing it directly in front of her. "Sugar?"

She shook her head staring into the contents of the mug becoming intoxicated with the promised rapture of the fragrance.

Eric went back the espresso maker. She stared at his broad shoulders, once more admiring his muscular frame under his clothes and began to wonder exactly what he looked without the burden of so much fabric adorning him. She allowed her vision to roam his body freely- up and down with an extended pause on his firm backside.

When he spun around, her eyes quickly met his. She smiled, slightly embarrassed quickly clearing her throat. "Umm... this has the most amazing scent," she mentioned, picking up the hot mug and carefully bringing it to her lips."

He smiled back for a moment not saying anything. He held her eye contact while taking, what felt like, an endless sip of coffee. He leaned against the counter, staring at her as he smiled again.

She awkwardly put the mug down, clacking loudly against the marble.

Eric began walking towards her. "Grab your coffee, let's go sit in the living room." He said leading the way to the sitting area, motioning for her to sit on the sofa.

His living room was mostly shades of gray with tufted sitting furniture. Though the color scheme was as stiff as the owner, the sofa was surprisingly comfortable. She sat, holding the blue mug carefully as she sat back, crossing her legs.

Eric placed coasters on the black square-shaped coffee table in front of the sofa then proceeded to sit at the other end of the sofa. He crossed his legs in her direction.

"Listen," he began. "I wanted to thank you properly for taking the lead with the nesting prevention aids," he started. "I don't know that I would have been able to tell him how they all worked on the spot."

Lila nodded slowly, "You know how I feel about butting in but I could tell this was important to you." She shrugged, leaning forward to place the mug on the coaster sitting in front of her. "I guess I don't understand your compulsion to insert yourself into your brother's private life because I am an only child."

He nodded. "Not many families opted for more than one offspring but mine did and I feel responsible for him." He took a quick sip from his mug.

Not that he knew, but he was right to worry. Jane had nested two guys in the last year, both which needed financial assistance from Jane in paying for a dissolution. Lila had to loan Jane money to pay for the second- which she had yet to repay.

Lila sat back. "How did your mom convince your father to have a second?"

One more sip and Eric placed his cup on the coaster. He leaned back, stretching one arm on the sofa towards her. "The way they tell it, mom and dad were always on the same page about having at least two kids." He laughed. "Naturally dad hoped for twins. He was very disappointed when I made a solo appearance."

Lila smiled. She leaned forward resting an elbow on the armrest. "What's the age difference between you and Alex?"

"Ten years." He answered quickly. "Mom says dad was so traumatized after the first life expulsion that it took him ten years to forget the trauma and try again. After Alex was out, he had the doctor collapse his Zeus Cavity so they wouldn't be tempted to try for a third."

Lila took in his words feeling a sense of emptiness in her own life. "You're lucky. Dad didn't give mom a say," she looked at the floor wistfully. "I always wanted a sibling. I think that's why I'm so forgiving with Jane's indiscretions."

He stared at her. "The first ten years without Alex were very different," he reached for his mug, took what looked like was a final swig and returned the cup to the coaster. He inched closer to her. "What about the other two girls you were with at the park? Don't they fit the bill for a pseudo-sister?" he asked.

Lila smiled thinking of Aisha and Chloe. She had known them forever but as time went on, life happened, and they had less and less time for each other.

"Well Chloe is married," she explained. "After she took a husband, she had less time for her friends, and now her husband is nested," she looked at him. "I imagine we'll see even less of her after life expulsion happens," she crossed her arms. "And Aisha is a nurse. She's either always working, catching up on sleep after a long work shift, or taking more classes to further advance her career." She giggled. "The little free time she has, she devotes to finding guys interested in fun without commitment."

"And are you interested in the same?" He asked quickly.

The question caught her slightly off guard. She paused to think about it for a moment. Everything had changed practically overnight of late she hadn't come to terms with her own feelings about the future before her.

He was getting too personal, she thought. He was putting her in a headspace she didn't want to be in. Trying to snap out of the desperation threatening to grip her in this stranger's presence, she turned her body towards him. "Why did you ask me to stay?" she asked with a pretty good idea of what he had in mind. "I didn't think you'd be fond of anyone in Jane's circle of friends."

She noticed he inched closer to her. "You sent me that picture," he reminded her. "It didn't give me the impression you were looking for anything serious," he leaned closer to her. "I could use something not serious right now."

She stood her ground, reaching over and running her hand through the short sides of his dark blond hair. She held his head, biting her lower lip, "And what do you want?" She whispered, making sure he was a willing participant in what she thought he had in mind.

His eyes seemed focused on her lips, which she licked slowly and seductively.

"I want you." He confirmed.