Unexpected

Stay

Mia dried off from her shower, put Henry's T-shirt back on and headed to her room.
My room, she rolled her eyes. It was just a room she had designed, nothing more.
After grabbing an outfit out of the bag she had packed, she entered the bathroom and got dressed. She studied herself in the mirror. Her eyes were almost twinkling which made her laugh. Looking closer she saw that her neck was covered in red and sometimes purple marks. She ran her fingers over them thinking of the night before.
And morning.
She wasn't expecting to tell Henry about her past, her son. He was so kind to her, it was easy to let it out. Henry hadn't been disgusted by her or think lower of her. He held her while she cried until she finally fell asleep.
He really is incredible.

Downstairs she found Henry had made breakfast.
"Morning," Amelia said, blushing.
Henry smiled. "Good morning," he said wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her.  She pulled away before things started heating up.
"Are you regretting this morning?" he asked, concerned.
Mia laughed. "Are you kidding? That was amazing. You are amazing."
Henry sighed. "I knew it. You just want me for my body," which caused Mia to laugh.
He loved the sound.
"It's not your body I love, but how wonderful you are, caring, sweet and understanding," she mused.
Did she just say she loved me? He wasn't averse to the idea.
Mia seemed to realize what she'd said and stammered. "I mean, not love you love you, I just meant..."
He silenced her with a kiss.
"I know what you meant, but you do love my body correct?" he raised an eyebrow.
Mia whacked his naked chest. He held her hand there while they looked at each other.
"So," Mia said, breaking the trance. "You made breakfast."
There were eggs, bacon and pancakes.
"I did, but that's for you."
Mia seemed confused.
"I need to do fasted cardio, so I'll eat after I go run on the mill or bike."
"Seriously? You don't think you got enough exercise this morning?" Mia raised an eyebrow, grabbing a piece of bacon. " And why make me all this? I'm not that hungry."
He stepped up to her and brought his mouth to her ear. "Maybe not now, but you'll need sustenance for what I have planned later."
Mia blushed three shades of red.
Henry laughed.
"Hilarious," Mia deadpanned, though the thought of being with him again thrilled her.
"I also needed to talk to you about something," he said seriously.
"What?"
Pulling on the T-shirt he had hung on the chair, he said "let me workout, get the words right and get back to you." He gave her a quick kiss, then headed to his workout space downstairs.

—————————————————————————

Mia had no idea what Henry was about to say to her. Kal bounded over to her.
"So," she said to him. "Do you know what he's going to say?"
Kal cocked his head.
"Nod for something good, shake if it's bad."
Kal settled for putting his head on her lap.
"You are not helping," she admonished jokingly.
She wasn't sure how long Henry would be, so she left herself out into the backyard by the pool. Sitting on a padded lounge chair and lifted her face to the sun.
I wish I could do this at my place.
She didn't have anywhere to just sit and enjoy the sun in solitude. Just then her phone rang. She'd forgotten it was even on or there.
Sex will do that to you she thought, then amended. Incredible sex will do that to you.
"Hi Chloe," Mia said when she saw the number.
"Amelia Larson! Where are you? What happened? I've been texting you since you didn't show up for work and you know Katie wouldn't say..."
"Chloe!" she interrupted. "Take a deep breath. I'm fine. I'm not at work because I got a threatening message in the mail."
"Wait, what? When?"
"Yesterday. I was getting my mail while Henry was walking me to the door. There was a picture..." Mia had to take deep breaths not to freak out.
" Of what?" Chloe asked gently.
Mia pinched the bridge of her nose and her eyes misted over. "It was just of me and Henry when he kissed me goodbye one night. But my face has been scratched off. The back said "He's mine."
"Shit," Chloe breathed. "Who sent it?"
"I wish I knew. Someone had to have known where I live or followed us. Henry called his bodyguard and the cops. Nothing turned up yet."
"Well that's terrifying," Chloe said. "Sorry, not the best thing to say right now."
Mia laughed. Just Chloe being Chloe.
"Where are you now? You're not alone right?"
Just then there was a bark at the patio door. Apparently Kal wanted out too.
"Ok," Chloe said. "Either you got a guard dog or you're with Henry."
Mia let Kal outside where he curled up in the shade.
"I'm staying with a Henry until they find out who sent the picture and if I'm in any danger. It'll be fine," she hoped.
"Soooo," Chloe teased, "you're staying with Henry huh? How's it going?"
She always knew how to lighten the mood.
"It's...fine," Mia said vaguely.
"Uh huh. So how many times have you guys fucked?"
"Chloe!"
"What? Should I have said shagged?"
"I should have known your mind would go there," Mia laughed.
"Well, are you going to tell me or should I guess?"
"Twice ok," Mia whispered.
"Amelia! Only twice?"
"Oh my god Chloe, stop."
Chloe continued. "I bet is was good, wasn't it? I can hear you blushing. Was it as good as the cloud dream?"
Mia sighed. "Better."
"I KNEW IT!" Chloe yelled so Mia had to hold her phone away from her ear.
"Ok ok, chill. I need to get going."
"Why? Henry waiting for you?" she teased.
"Maybe," Mia teased back then hung up.

———————————————————————————————

Henry felt as though he'd finally found the words for what he hoped would be a good chat with Mia. But he was nervous. After stopping the treadmill, he stretched and went back upstairs. He could see Mia outside with Kal. He smiled, grabbed a drink from the fridge and went out to join her.
"How was the workout?" she asked.
"Eh, the one earlier this morning was exceedingly more satisfying," he said knowing Mia would blush, which she did.
"Seriously Henry?" she shook her head.
He tilted her head up. "Seriously...and as soon as I eat maybe another workout?"
He leaned down, eager for her lips but she turned her head.
"Not until you tell me what you needed to find the words for earlier."
Drinking deeply from his bottle of water he nodded. "Fair enough."
He got up and held his hand out to her. She took it and he pulled her up and walked into the house, Kal in tow.
Henry sat at the island where he got some food. Mia watched as he ate, drumming her fingers on the countertop.
"You're killing me here," she said.
"Sorry," Henry said, turning to her. "I was thinking..."
"I thought I saw smoke coming out of your ears," Mia deadpanned.
He squinted at her. "Ha. Ha."
Mia smiled triumphantly.
"As I was saying before being so rudely interrupted," his voice dropping low. "I want you to stay here. With me."
Mia looked at him in confusion.
"I am. Until they find out who sent the picture."
Henry took her hands. "I mean, even after that. I want you to move in with me."
Mia's brows furrowed. "Why?"
She's so unlike anyone I've met Henry thought. Any other woman would have said yes on the spot.
"A few reasons," he said. "Obviously I want to make sure you're ok and I care for you."
"Henry, we barely know each other..."
He held up his hand. "Let me finish."
She shrugged. "Ok."
"That is a pair of reasons. The other is that I want to help you achieve your dream of opening your own design company. I thought if you moved in here, you wouldn't have to pay rent. Actually, I'd pay you."
"For what?! Sex?"
His eyes widened. "No, not that! I can't believe you'd think that."
She put her hand on Henry's arm.
"I'm sorry my mind went there. I know you would never do that."
He smiled and kissed her quickly. "It's ok. I phrased that wrong. I would pay you to house sit for me."
Mia wracked her brain. "What would I have to do?"
"You would just have to watch over the house while I'm away and I'd pay you. That way you'd get a head start on your dream and I get the most beautiful house sitter ever."
Mia laughed. "You're crazy."
"I've never been more serious."
"Let me get this straight. I move into your incredible house, watch over it and get paid?"
"Exactly."
She shook her head. " I can't let you do that for me. I..."
"Why not? I truly do need a house sitter and I'd rather it be you. You'd be doing me a favor."
Henry got up and put his dishes in the sink.
"But you'd only need someone here when you're not."
"Right, but..." he pulled her up from her seat. "I would very much love to have you here." He brushed a stray hair off her cheek.
"Why?" she asked quietly.
He leaned down and kissed her tenderly then put his forehead against hers.
"Because even though we've only known each other a few weeks, I care about you and I want to help you achieve what you want."
Mia understood what he was saying. It wasn't because he loved her or something crazy like that. He wanted to help her financially which, if she were being honest, would be a huge relief.
"What do you think?" he asking cupping her cheek.
"I...I think that I'd like that," she whispered.
Henry sighed."But?"
"But could you please go take a shower because you stink."
He laughed heartily.
"Absolutely," he said picking her up. "You can get my back."