My White Ex Soldier

Chapter 7

Desiree did not go home that night. She sent a quick text to Cynthia and Rochelle telling them that she would be staying over at Taylor’s. She was still asleep when the morning rays found their way inside Taylor’s room. She fluttered her eyelids open and rolled over to hold him but he was not there. She sat up and looked around for a note…anything that would give her an idea of where he had gone but there was nothing. She got up from bed and picked his shirt up from the floor. It was the first thing she saw. At that moment, she became aware of the smell of bacon and she knew that Taylor was probably making breakfast downstairs. She went to the bathroom and quickly brushed her teeth and then splashed some cold water on her face. She looked at her reflection and smiled. She looked particularly graceful wearing nothing but a shirt, and a man’s shirt at that. She slowly made her way to the kitchen. She found him leaning over the stove frying some bacon for breakfast.

“Good morning,” she said as she walked in. He turned around and looked at her.

“You’re up. Did I wake you? I’m sorry. I wanted to get some breakfast up to you. In bed,” he said as she walked towards him.

“Fancy dinner and breakfast in bed? You are spoiling me, Ericson,” she said before kissing him softly. He smiled at her and then switched off the stove.

“I hope you like bacon,” he said as he served her.

“Pork?” she asked raising an eyebrow.

“No, turkey. Why? Are you Muslim or something?” he asked as he pushed a plate of bacon, French toast and two sausages. She shook her head.

“No, I just don’t like pork bacon. It does not taste as good as turkey,” she said as she took a bite. It was just how she liked it, crisp around the edges. “Mm, really good,” she said as she took another bite. “Keep spoiling me like this and I may never leave,” she said smiling. He smiled and handed her a glass of juice.

“Maybe I want you to stay,” Taylor said looking at her closely. She looked at him and smiled and took a long sip before setting the glass down.

“Do you always cook for every girl you bring here?” she asked looking at him. Even though she was making small talk, her intentions for asking the question were not all for conversation purposes. He looked at her closely and smiled. He poured some juice for himself and took a sip.

“Desiree Young, do I hear jealousy in your voice?” he asked smiling at her. He was teasing her again. He seemed to be very good at it and she hated it.

“No, I just like to think I’m special,” she said with a smile. Taylor laughed and took her hand.

“I cooked for only one woman in my life before you and no one else,” he said with a smile. She looked at him and felt a relief come over her even though she still needed to know more.

“Who was it?” she asked looking at him. He smiled and leaned forward to kiss her softly before walking away.

“Eat your breakfast before it gets cold,” Taylor said as he walked towards his bedroom. And just like that, she knew that the subject of his past was a taboo. No one ever talked to him about his past, or was it that he never talked to anyone about his past? Either way, he was not ready to come clean about his life and she would not rush him. After having her breakfast, she walked back to the bedroom and was surprised to find the bed made and the clothes that had previously been on the floor were neatly folded, stacked on the edge of the bed. His own dirty laundry was in the laundry basket. Even she was not this organized. She looked at him as he walked out of the bathroom.

“I told you, when I get time to finish I do it well,” he said as he joined her on the bed. She smiled weakly as he kissed her.