“Why wouldn’t you go to the press?”
“I’m not that kind of person. You don’t mean what you say, and I don’t like causing fuss. The press turn everything around anyway. I like your billionaire comment though. Maybe I should ask for a raise,” she said.
The doors to the elevators closed.
Should I go with him?
Indecision struck her as she looked at her bland features in the reflection of the steel of the elevator doors. There was nothing stopping her and Kent from being friends. He was fun to be around and playful at times.
Lana enjoyed his company, and watching him clean had been a pleasure.
Placing the cleaning trolley away, Lana headed toward the parking lot. Kent waited for her. She was aware of the security guard giving her the once-over. Lana knew what he was thinking and didn’t care.
****
Kent watched as she got in beside him. He wanted to fasten her seatbelt to have any excuse to touch her. Settling for watching her, he waited for the guard to open the security barricade. He gave the guard a wave and then was on the main road heading toward her house.
“I thought I’d have to come and get you,” he said.
“Not tonight. Your offer of food is far too tempting. Besides, you’re not a ra**st or murderer, and that’s points in your favour.” She joked with him.
“Finally the lady starts to relax.”
“Actually, I’m far too tired to argue with you. Help and food were too irresistible to turn down.”
He chuckled, loving the banter with her. Kent couldn’t remember a time when he’d spoken with a woman about anything meaningful. There were his friends’ wives, but other than that, there was no one else he talked to of the opposite sex.
Lana was by far more refreshing just from her conversation. They pulled up outside her house. “I want you to go in and buzz me up. How do you feel about Chinese?” he asked.
“I’d love some. There’s a great Chinese place a few blocks from here.” She got out and went inside. Tonight she didn’t look back to give him a wave. Heading in the direction she pointed, he drove until he found the Chinese place.
After ordering half the menu, Kent waited a good half an hour for his order. The box that came out made him feel good. The box was loaded with several different dishes. He bid them goodnight before making his way back to Lana’s house. The food made his stomach rumble. He couldn’t wait to get inside her apartment.
Parking the car in the available parking lot around the back, he grabbed the food before heading back to the main door.
He buzzed the bell waiting for her to respond.
“It’s open,” she said. “I’m on the third floor, fourth door from the stairs.”
Opening the door, he walked up the stairs. She was stood waiting for him with her arms folded. The apartment was nice but small.
“Hi,” she said. He was struck by her. In the time it had taken for him to get the food, Lana had showered and changed into something far more comfortable and seductive. The jeans and black t-shirt moulded to her body like a second skin.
“Hi,” he said, averting his gaze.
“You’ve ordered enough food to feed the entire apartment block.”
“I didn’t know what you liked. I bought enough for both of us.” Her stomach growled at him. “And I think it’s time for us both to eat.”
She invited him in.
He noticed how clean her apartment was before he noticed the few pictures on the wall. There was nothing personal. The artwork showed someone lived in the apartment but not who that person was.
“Can I get you a drink? I don’t have any beer.”
“What do you have?” he asked, setting the box of food on the coffee table. Kent noted the used appearance of the table but didn’t say anything.
“I’ve got coffee, tea, milk, juice, and water,” she said.
He chuckled. “I’ll take a coffee.”
She turned away from him. “Do you need plates?” she asked.
“No. I’m happy to eat out of the cartons if you are?”
Lana left him to go fix drinks. The sound of the kettle filled the silence. He removed his jacket and then started unloading each carton of Chinese food. The oriental scents were intoxicating, and his mouth watered. He’d skipped dinner so he’d get a chance to eat with her.
She came back minutes later carrying two large mugs of coffee.
He noticed she grabbed a coaster and wiped the small spillage of coffee from the table with a tissue. She kept a box of tissues on the table.
“You’re not a fan of mess, are you?” he asked.
“Is it that obvious?” She sat next to him. A blush stained her cheeks. Kent chuckled.
“I’m a guy. I’m supposed to notice these things.”
She laughed. “I guess you are. What did you get?” She rubbed her hands down her thighs. He wondered if that was natural or if being with him made her nervous.
“I got noodles, of course. Egg fried rice, curry, and chow mein. Also, spring rolls, prawn balls, and pretty much everything else on the menu,” he said.
“Okay, I guess I’ll try something from every box.” The black shirt she wore showed a great deal of her chest. Her br**sts were pressed together and looked so tempting. When she leaned forward he got a good look at her chest. Licking his lips, he grabbed the first carton and then handed her some chopsticks.
Get your shit together. You’re not some horny teenager.
“Aren’t you going to try something first?” she asked.
Pushing his chop sticks into the carton, he pulled out a prawn ball. He didn’t taste a single bite as he ate it. Kent kept his eye on Lana as she pressed the ball into her mouth. Her full lips closed around the chopsticks. He was losing his mind. There was nothing sensual about eating Chinese food.
“Thank you for getting me this,” she said. “It has been ages since I ate food as good as this.”
“It’s a pleasure. So, Lana, tell me about yourself,” he said, wanting to know more about her.
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“Sure there is.” He picked up another carton for her to try. Together they munched their way through the food. Kent pulled a pillow across his lap to hide his growing erection.
“I’ve got nothing to say. I work two jobs, and this is my place. I like visiting the library in my spare time, and I’ve got an addiction to baking,” she said.
There had to be far more to her than that. Scooping up some noodles, he took a quick look around the room. There were no personal photos. Most people had pictures of friends or graduation days. Inside Lana’s apartment there was nothing.