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“I’m sure you are,” Solon replied. “But this is our Claiming Period—I am supposed to cook for you—not the other way around. The warrior cooks for his bride and provides her with anything she wants during this time.”
“Oh, sorry,” Abbey said, feeling abashed. “I didn’t mean to accuse you of being ableist. It’s just that so many people assume that blind people can’t cook and many of us can, quite well.”
“If you want to cook, I’ll make it happen for you,” he promised. “Just tell me what you need and I’ll get it.”
“Well, I don’t mind cooking but I don’t love it either,” Abbey confessed. “The meal cubes sound really convenient.”
“They’re tasty too—at least I think so,” Solon promised. “You’ll have to let me know your opinion after you try some.”
They continued their tour of the kitchen, which wound up taking almost an hour due to all the different appliances and implements. To Abbey’s dismay, most of the big Kindred’s plates and cups were clear glass, but she told herself she could deal with it.
I’ll just have to be extra careful and feel around a lot, she thought.
But just as she was thinking that, Solon said,
“I’ll get all these replaced, of course. I’ll do it tomorrow.”
“Oh, you don’t have to replace all your dishes and cups just for me,” Abbey protested.
“Yes, I do.” His deep voice was firm. “I want you to be happy and comfortable here down to every last detail, lelka.”
Then he went on with the tour.
At last they got to the rehydrator machine, which was mounted on the wall much like a microwave. It seemed to work like a microwave too. Solon helped her open the door with his big hand over hers, and she placed the pepperoni pizza meal cube in the center of the machine. Then they shut the door together and he moved her fingers to the single raised button. Abbey pressed it and after a few minutes she heard a ding!
“Now it’s ready and it’s going to be hot,” Solon cautioned her. “Do you want to try and lift it out alone or can I help you?”
“You can help.” Abbey liked that he asked her and gave her the option to try it on her own rather than just assuming she couldn’t manage. But she wasn’t trying to prove anything—she just wanted the pizza, which smelled delicious.
She opened the door on her own this time and the warm, cheesy scent intensified.
“Mmm—that smells wonderful!” she breathed.
“It does smell good—no wonder it’s a popular choice,” he remarked. “I’m going to stand right behind you and put my hands over yours as you lift the plate. If it looks like you’re going to drop it or spill it, I’ll catch it—all right?”
“All right.” Abbey nodded. Then she felt his big, warm body directly behind her own and his long arms hovering over hers.
The feeling of having the big Monstrum so close would have frightened her in the past—but now she felt a pleasurable little shiver run up her spine.
He felt so warm and big and solid behind her. And even though the smell of the pepperoni pizzas was strong, she could also smell that same warm, masculine scent she’d smelled in her dreams of him. It made her want to back up a little and make contact with him, even though he was considerately not touching her and obviously being careful not to crowd her.
Abbey managed to get the pizza, which was on a sturdy paper plate that Solon said was the remains of the cube packaging. She lifted it out and he guided her back to the table with a hand on her arm. Abbey put it down without spilling and smiled up at the golden blur that was his face.
“Got it! I can’t wait to try this.”
“Do you need any special tools to eat it?” he rumbled doubtfully. “Maybe a knife and fork? I have some in the implement drawer.”
“Nah, pizza is finger food—that’s one reason I chose it,” Abbey told him.
“Finger food? Meaning…it’s meant to be eaten with your fingers?”
“Exactly.” Carefully, she felt for the pizza and lifted it to her mouth. She nibbled the end of the triangular slice and moaned happily as the flavors exploded across her tongue. She had been to New York once, when she and Aunt Rose had attended a Florist Convention together. This pizza tasted every bit as good as the slice she’d had there.
“Do you like it?” Solon asked, sounding slightly anxious.
“It’s delicious! Very authentic,” Abbey assured him. “Try a bite.”
“All right, I will.”
