Page 40 of Felix and the Spy
“Thank you for cooking for me,” she said. Her hair ticked his cheek, but he didn’t mind it one bit. “It smells delicious.”
“You’re welcome.” His voice was low and hoarse. Her nearness did things to him.
“Being in a relationship with you feels really nice.” She squeezed him tight.
Felix placed his fingers on her slender arms.
“Nobody has been here in a long time. Talking to you, eating with you…it makes me feel like life is moving again,”he said.
He turned to her and their lips brushed. The roaring in his blood made him want to abandon dinner and ravish her instead. He pressed a wet kiss and pulled her head away. They were both too hungry after a long day at work.
“Let’s eat.”
She sat down and eyed the setup. It was a simple dinner. He hoped she’d like it. She took a bite of the bread and stew. He wondered if he’d triggered an old memory by reminding her of her mother. She’d been drawn to his kitchen that day in Inferno City, saying she had dreamed of her mother coming back to life. Amara slowly spooned some stew with her bread and slipped it between her lips.
“Mmmm, it’s delicious.” Her eyes twinkled when they met his. “You’re a man of many talents, Felix.”
“Thank you,” he said.
Under the table, her toes climbed up his calves until they came to rest on his thighs.
“Can I put my foot there? It feels a lot better.”
“You can do whatever you want.” He squeezed a foot. “I want you to feel safe and welcome here.”
“I feel safe with you,” she said. “It’s strange, isn’t it? We’ve known each other only for a couple of weeks, but I could tell you anything and know you won’t judge me. Nobody has made me feel that way.”
The familiar flutter in his belly was back again. Felix never thought he’d enjoy domesticity with anyone, especially Amara. It was like they’d known each other forever. He felt calm and centered around her, as safe as she felt with him. If he hadn’t taken up her offer, hadn’t dared to look beyond their different personalities, would he have sacrificed this happiness?
“We’ve known each other for three years.” He was breaking another rule: never talking at the dinner table. “Perhaps that’s why.”
“No, it’s more than that,” Amara said. “Being with you is so comforting. Is that a bad thing to say about your passionate lover?”
He shook his head. “I’m glad you feel that way.”
After that, they ate dinner quietly. When they were done, they washed the dishes together and then retreated to the bedroom. They’d both been looking forward to this all day. Amara began removing her clothes, her back facing him.
“I finished reading the book you got me,” she said, pulling her pants down to reveal her soft, short thighs. “It was quite nice. I can’t wait for the next volume.”
They could talk about the most mundane things in the world, and he still felt like she held his thudding heart in her hands.
“We can go get it together.” He removed his shirt and hung it up. When Felix reached for his pants, she turned to him.
“Break the law together, you mean?” Her soft perky breasts were bared to his gaze, her soft feet gliding across the wooden floor.
“Why not?” He let his pants fall. They took in each other’s naked bodies, and all thoughts of buying banned books scrambled. He pulled her against his body and claimed her mouth.
They fell into bed together and made love all night. As dawn broke, she fell asleep in his arms, holding him as tightly as he held her. Felix’s heart was at peace as he drifted into a dreamless slumber.
* * *
Felix woke up early the next morning, his legs entwined with Amara’s, her soft skin pressed to him. She was still sleeping, soft snores filling the morning air. Gently, he untangled his limbs from hers and decided to get started with making breakfast. She didn’t have to go to work early this morning, but she had that afternoon meeting with Tranagard. As for him, he had the day off. Quietly, Felix pulled on his clothes, making his way to the kitchen. He found a few ingredients to make breakfast, but before he could get started, there was a knock on the door.
It was too late for the post to be arriving, and Felix wasn’t expecting any visitors. He reached the door and opened it with a flash. A familiar figure stood on the other side.
“Max?” His son stood at the threshold carrying a trunk. With brown hair and gray eyes, he was tall, towering inches over Felix. Next to him stood a young woman, a few inches shorter, her blonde hair pulled back in a bun, wearing a bright red gown that was crumpled from travel. Suddenly, he remembered the letter his son had sent him. Was it time for him to be here already?
“Father.” He took a step forward, and Felix backed up. Max entered the house with his fiancee, shut the door, and placed a hand over her shoulder. “This is Rina, my fiancee.”
