The Hots (mxm)

16. The Taste of Greece (Sam)

   The phone keeps ringing. Alec is not picking up. He can not be sleeping at eleven a.m. It is almost lunchtime. I am about to start worrying when I finally hear his voice. He is panting. Why the hell is he panting?

   "Hi... Aaah... Sam... I mean... babe?" He groans, barely catching his breath. I smirk at the questioning intonation at the end.

   "Yeah, I'm the 'babe'," I chuckle. "What are you doing, Peppercorn? You better be jogging."

   "Why? I hope you don't think that I'm already cheating on you on our second day as boyfriends and a few hours after my first sexual experience," he answers defiantly. This boy is really asking for a good spanking. Just to set my intentions in cement, he adds daringly, "No, I'm not jogging."

   "Have you heard of Pandora's box?" I grumble. "You never know what will be unleashed once you open the lid." Is he doing this on purpose? Am I jealous? What is wrong with me? I roll my eyes. "Well?"

   The huffing is mixed with giggles now. "Don't snort like a bear. I'm climbing the stairs with two heavy shopping bags. I went to buy the groceries for your cooking lesson. The elevator wasn't working when I came back."

    "Why didn't you tell me? I could do the shopping. Which floor do you live on?" I frown. 

   "Because you're my boyfriend, not a nanny," he retorts. What an attitude! I'll have to teach the spicy angel some manners. "Are you coming, Teddy Bear? I miss you. The tenth floor."

   My exasperation instantly flies out of the window. All I can do is only coo, "Yes, babe. I'll be with you in twenty minutes. Wait? What? The tenth floor and no elevator!"

    Oh, Gosh! I already feel sweaty.

   "Sorry!" Alec chirps and hangs up.

   I am quite determined to be in perfect shape when I reach his place. I climb up slowly and take a rest on the ninth floor, so I am perfectly fresh when I ring the bell. Alec opens the door widely and beams at me. "Wow, you look so good, Sam!"

   I squint at him. His grin gets wider. "You are so hot, Teddy Bear!" 

   "That's better," I mumble and open my arms for him. 

   He immediately throws himself on my neck. I capture his lips. His contented sigh makes my heart skip a beat. 

   An endless row of products is lined on the kitchen counter. It looks scary how many they are. 

   "What are we going to do with all of these?" I bellow. "I mentioned that I have no clue how to cook, didn't I?"

   "Don't worry, Teddy Bear." Alec glues himself to my back, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I am a professional. I admit that this dish is a little complicated for someone inexperienced, but I will show you what to do step by step. You'll be just fine. I promise."

   "Move your hands a little lower, and we can have a deal," I suggest, making him jump away immediately with a shriek.

   "Didn't you say that next time you'll take matters in your own hands?" I smirk. "And by matters, I mean my dic..."

   "If you don't behave, I'm kicking you out." Alek points a finger at me. "We are going to cook now."

   "Fine!" I raise my hands defensively. "You are a chicken."

   "I am not!" He pouts, turning his back to me. "You are a chicken because you are trying to get away from cooking."

   "Aww, come here, babe. I'll do anything you want." I pull him by the sleeve and start kissing his pouty face. "What are we going to make?"

   "It's a Greek dish," he beams, "from my home country. Alec stands for Alexander. It means 'defender'. I think I was born in Athens."

   "Really? Oh, my cute Greek God!" I pinch his scarlet cheek. "What do you mean you think? Doesn't your family live there?"

   "I... I don't really know. I've never seen them," he mutters. "I was adopted at five. I don't remember anything from before that."

   "Oh, I'm sorry. Alec! I didn't mean to be nosy." I start stroking his back. I do not like the sudden sadness in his eyes. "Do you want to talk about it?"

   "No, I'd rather not." He shakes his head. "Let's focus on preparing the food. We'll talk about this some other time, ok?"

   "Of course, babe," I quickly agree. A faint smile appears on his lips. "There are so many ingredients here. I am a little bit frightened."

   "No, you'll see that it's easy. We're making Yemitsa. The dish consists of tomatoes and bell peppers, stuffed with rice and minced meat. I bought red, yellow and green peppers. It will become very colorful." Alec focuses on giving me orders, which I am determined to follow strictly. "Heat some oil in the pan and brown the meat for no more than five minutes. Then add the rice. Don't stop stirring the entire time."

   I am so careful not to mess up that I jump when he taps my shoulder. "Sam, breathe! You are doing great. We are adding just a little bit of water and seasoning with black pepper, salt, and a pinch of dried savory herb." 

   I remove the stuffing from the stove with relief after five more minutes of stirring. It smells divine. Alec has prepared the vegetables and two spoons.

   "Now comes the fun part," he announces. "We have to stuff them, and then we'll bake them in the oven. He brings two high stemmed glasses and a bottle of white wine. "This is Retsina, one of the most famous Greek wines. It has been made for two thousand years. I've never tried it, but we can taste it together."

   He gives me a glass and we take a sip. It is light, very refreshing, and with a slight hint of lemon and pine. 

   "Perfect for the Yemitsa," Alec nods. "What do you think?"

  "It's exactly like you, my sweet Greek angel," I smile, "pure and vivid with just the right amount of spice."

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Photo by MariaUspenskaya from istockphoto.com

A/N

Hello, at the end of chapter 16!

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Love: Anny