"You give me something that makes me scared alright. This could be nothing but I'm willing to give it a try... "~You Give Me Something, by James Morrison 

CHAPTER NINE

Andray quietly watched as Vesper baked. She's now wearing a black tank top and a pair of gray sweatpants. Her hair was in a messy bun, lose tendrils framing her face. Her head suddenly shot up to him, her blue-eyed gaze never failing to captivate him. An idea came to his mind and he decided to act on it. He dipped a finger into the cookie dough, put his finger in his mouth, and sucked on it, releasing it with a pop.

"Stop doing that," Vesper warned. She just can't focus on her baking especially with Andray sitting across the kitchen counter, licking his lips. The sight of it was enough to cause desire to swirl in her belly. She mentally scolded herself for her wanton ways and continued her work.

"Doing what?" he questioned too-innocently. He dipped another finger into the dough and made a show of slowly licking it away. Vesper groaned in frustration and grabbed the bowl of dough away from Andray. He helped her a while ago by mixing the ingredients. Andray only chuckled. He could clearly see that she's being unnerved by his constant seducing.

"Ugh, get out of my kitchen! Go to the living room and watch TV or something." She knew that she'll probably give in to his advances and that they'll probably end up fvcking on top of the kitchen counter if he didn't disappear from her sight. Thankfully, Andray obliged, but only after he nibbled the shell of her earlobe. Her resolve almost melted had she not heard the oven go off.

There are more than a hundred cookies and she'll be keeping a few for herself before giving the rest to the orphanage. After surviving a sexual-tension filled lunch with Andray, she told him to go home for a while so he could feed Ellie. It's already 1 o'clock and he will come back at 3 pm to pick her up and then drive to the orphanage.

After resting for a while, Vesper showered and put on a blue floral sundress. On her feet was a pair of white flats, and a white satchel bag completed her look. Her hair was in a French braid. Andray came knocking and she went out of the door before locking it. She gave directions as he drove, and they arrived in front of the orphanage after playfully bickering throughout the drive.

Vesper stepped out of the car and the kids who saw her stopped their playing and quickly ran towards her. Andray saw that the kids obviously loved Vesper. He counted about twenty kids around her, all of them seemed to be younger than 13. She crouched down, a huge smile plastered on her face, and the kids engulfed her in a large group hug. He slowly walked towards Vesper. Some of the kids noticed him and looked up at him, his staggering presence seeming to baffle them.

"Uhm, good day, Mister," a little boy said, craning his head upwards to look at Andray's face.

He flashed the boy a wide smile and replied, "Hello, good day to you, too."

"I'm sorry I forgot to introduce you," Vesper said to him. She turned her attention back to the kids and said aloud, "Kids, this is Andray and he's my... friend." A chorus of greetings came from the kids and Andray cheerfully responded.

"Is he your boyfriend?" a small voice belonging to a little girl said.

Vesper's face heat up.

"Katie! What are you saying to Vesper?" a voice boomed from behind. Vesper turned around and saw Sister Magda walking towards them. Sister Magda runs the orphanage along with two more nuns and some helpers.

"Sister Magda!" Vesper hugged the woman and motioned for Andray to stand beside her. He approached them and held his hand out to the nun.

"Good day, ma'am. My name's Andray. I'm Vesper's uh, friend." With benefits, though. He dismissed the thought immediately. He really shouldn't be thinking about stuff like that surrounded by children and facing a nun. Sister Magda shook his hand and smiled at him.

"Good day to you, Andray. I'm Sister Magda and I'm the head of this orphanage. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, ma'am." He gave the nun a charming smile and that earned him another smile in return.

"Oh, just call me Sister Magda. Why don't you and Vesper come inside?" Sister Magda motioned for them to follow inside.

Andray's hand snaked around Vesper's waist and she nudged it off.

"Behave," she whispered.

"I am behaving," he countered.

"Vesper!" Katie called out. The little girl raised her arms and Vesper scooped her up.

"Wow, you're growing so fast, young lady." Vesper held on to Katie tightly and kissed the little girl's cheek. Katie giggled and kissed Vesper's cheek back.

Andray looked at the two girls and felt his heart warm at the sight. He smiled but immediately put on a poker face before Vesper noticed him.

"I'm upset at you, Vesper." Katie pouted.

"But why?"

"You forgot today." The little girl frowned, crossing her arms over her chest.

Vesper laughed. Of course she didn't forget that today was Katie's 6th birthday. "Nuh-uh, young lady. As a matter of fact, I have something with me."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's with Andray."

Katie turned her attention to Andray. He let her sneak a peek inside the paper bag.

"Cookies! I love cookies! Thanks, Vesper! Thanks, Mr. Andray!" Katie clapped her hands in glee and told Vesper to put her down. She ran towards the other kids, screaming that Vesper brought cookies. The kids immediately flocked around them. Sister Magda was quick to divert the kids to the dining area.

"Here are the cookies, Sister." Vesper grabbed the paper bag from Andray and gave it to the nun.

"Thanks for these, Vesper. Those kids really missed you," Sister Magda said. Sister Lea and Sister Claire appeared and greeted them. The two nuns are helping sister Magda run the orphanage. After a brief introduction to Andray, they went to the dining area where the kids are excitedly waiting for the cookies.

"What will you say to Vesper and Andray?" Sister Magda asked the kids. The kids yelled, "Thank you!" in chorus.

Everyone was gathered in the dining area, all of the kids except for the infants and toddlers. The kids were sent off to wash their hands first before eating their afternoon snacks. Vesper and Andray did the same. The kids then sat down and the on-duty kids helped in serving. Katie stayed beside Vesper, much to Vesper's delight. Katie was a very kind and charming girl. She reminded herself to ask Sister Magda if she could take Katie out to an ice cream parlour later.

"You're so tall, Mr. Andray. Are you related to Hagrid?" Katie asked, making Andray chuckle.

"Just call me Andray. And no, Katie, I'm not related to Hagrid. You'll be taller in a few years when you grow up, don't worry," he replied.

"I hope I'll grow up to be tall and pretty like Vesper. I hope I'll also learn how to cook cookies."

"I'll teach you how to bake cookies when you grow up," Vesper said, lightly pinching Katie's cheeks. She brushed the crumbs away from Katie's mouth and continued to watch the little girl eat.

Jason, an eight-year-old boy, approached Vesper and thanked her for the cookies. Jason gave Vesper a chaste peck on the cheek before running away, giggling. Vesper just laughed, used to the sweetness of the kids here.

"Beguiling little boys too, Vesper?" Andray teased.

"Oh, shut up. Stacy and Nina are completely besotted with you," Vesper teased back, cocking her head to the direction of the two blonde girls giggling. From what she knew, both of the girls were 11 years old.

Andray followed her gaze and saw the two girls blush before turning their backs to them. "I've got my eyes on you, Nichols," he whispered huskily to her hear.

Vesper glared at Andray, stood up, and walked to Sister Magda so she could escape Andray. It's so wrong to be aroused in a room full of kids. "Excuse me Sister Magda, may I have a minute?" she asked. Sister Magda obliged and they walked to the nun's office. After their talk, she was really glad that Sister Magda allowed her to take Katie out.

Katie was ecstatic and she immediately ran to her room to get dressed. She came back wearing a blue-and-white polka-dotted dress. They bid their goodbyes to the kids before leaving. On their way out, Nelson, the gardener and all-around-fix-it guy at the orphanage greeted them. He tipped an imaginary hat to Vesper and wished Katie a happy birthday.

"Dave has a picture of a car like this on his wall," Katie said when she saw Andray's car. From what Vesper remembered, Dave was a ten-year-old boy with curly black hair and hazel eyes.

"Do you like it?" Andray asked.

"It's a really nice car but I like pumpkin carriages more. Like Cinderella," Katie replied.

"This kid is something," Andray whispered to Vesper.

"Indeed," she whispered back.

After driving for a few minutes, they arrived in front of an ice cream parlour and parked the car.

The clamor of the chattering families greeted them when they stepped inside the parlour. They sat down and asked for a menu. Vesper and Andray settled for a banana split while Katie opted for a sprinkle-laden strawberry ice cream in a crepe.

"Andray, do you think Vesper's pretty?" Katie asked in between scoops of her ice cream.

The question surprised both adults. Vesper's hand stopped mid-air, her spoon just touching her lips. She eyed Andray, who seemed to be tongue-tied. She didn't know why but her heartbeat increased.

"Hmm, let me see." Andray formed a rectangle with his fingers and peered through it, playfully angling his head to different sides. Vesper rolled her eyes and continued to eat her banana split. Katie giggled and Andray slowly said, "Yeah. Vesper is really beautiful." His eyes were fixed on Vesper's as he spoke the words, his voice low and smooth like dark chocolate. A warm feeling suddenly spread throughout Vesper's entire being. The noise inside the parlour faded and she couldn't see anything else except for the emerald eyes in front of her. It's as if she's caught in his spell.

The sound of Katie's voice broke the spell. "But Andray, why is your hair long like a girl? Can't you afford a haircut? Maybe I can cut your hair?"

Veper blinked and took a deep breath, shaking away the effect of the trance she was in. She just focused on eating her ice cream.

Andray laughed, a genuine laugh that seemed to emerge from his stomach. He mouthed 'Kids these days' to Vesper, before answering Katie.

"I can afford a haircut, Katie. It's just that I like to keep my hair this way," he explained. "And maybe you can cut my hair when you're a little older."

Katie scrutinized him before responding. "It's okay. You're actually a little bit cute." She shrugged. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"I don't have a girlfriend. And where do you learn these stuff anyway, young lady?" He reached for a tissue and wiped the sprinkles off of Katie's chin. Vesper heart warmed at the sight and she could almost feel something tugging at her heartstrings.

"I just know it," Katie replied, and licked the ice cream around her mouth. "I think you should ask Vesper out on a date because she doesn't have a boyfriend too. Well, that's what she told me last time."

Vesper almost sputtered the banana out and Andray coughed, obviously surprised by the suggestion.

Andray was the first to recover. "Silly girl, we're just friends."

"Yeah, we're just friends," Vesper seconded. Of course we're just friends. Friends with benefits, she bitterly thought. They've already acknowledged that what's between Andray and her was a no-strings attached casual affair and she cursed herself for being resentful about it. What am I expecting? Flowers and chocolates? her mind snorted. We're just two consenting adults having fun. "Katie, how would you like your gift?" she said, changing the topic, dismissing the acrid thoughts on her mind.

Katie's eyes brightened and she squealed in delight. Vesper asked for the bill and the waiter approached them. Katie was quick to inform the waiter that today was her birthday. The waiter wished Katie a happy birthday and excused himself for a moment. He came back with a small plush toy shaped like an ice cream in a cone and a cupcake with a candle on it. Five staff members gathered around them and sang Katie 'Happy Birthday'. The parlour's patrons turned their eyes to their table and cheered on as Katie blew the candle.

"What an adorable family," a woman from the table across said. Vesper was about to correct the woman but Katie called her attention.

"Vesper?"

"Yes, darling?"

Vesper and Andray reached for Katie's mouth to brush the cupcake's icing off the girl's cheeks. Their hands met and they both quickly pulled away, the both of them aware of the electricity that coursed through their skin.

Katie just brushed the icing off herself. "Thank you." She stood up and kissed Vesper's cheek. She walked over to Andray and also kissed his cheek. "Thanks, too."

He lightly pinched Katie's nose and ruffled her hair. Katie wrinkled her nose and smoothed her hair down, earning a chuckle from Andray.

Afterwards, they went out of the parlour and decided to have a quick stroll around. Vesper took Katie's hand and Andray took the other. They walked hand in hand for a few before entering a boutique for children's clothes. Katie picked a purple dress adorned with ruffles and sequins. Andray insisted that he pay for the dress.

Vesper objected at first but succumbed when he kept on insisting. "Ugh, fine. But I'm going to look for another present," she huffed. She had to convince Katie to step out of the dress before they went to the cashier.

They went out of the boutique, with Katie clutching the paper bag tightly. Vesper remembered that there's a bookstore a few blocks away and decided to just buy a book for Katie. They continued walking to the bookstore.

"I'm already tired of walking and walking," Katie complained.

"Okay." Vesper crouched down to carry Katie but Andray scooped Katie up instead. Vesper mouthed 'Thanks' to Andray and he winked in return.

"Better?" he asked Katie.

"Yes." The little girl grinned brightly.

They walked for a little while before reaching the bookstore. Andray set Katie down and let the two girls choose a book. He watched and listened as Vesper and Katie engaged in an animated conversation. Vesper explained the plot of 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe' to Katie, and it's obvious that the little girl was interested in the book. Vesper bought the book, along with a few other children's books that she'll donate to the orphanage. Katie put the book in her paper bag and held onto Vesper's hand. The two walked over to Andray and they left the bookstore.

They made a stop at a convenience store and bought large tubs of Ben and Jerry's and some boxes of ice cream cones before walking back to the car. It's already 6 o'clock and Vesper promised Sister Magda that they'll be back before 7 pm. They arrived after a few minutes' drive.

"Thank you. This is the best birthday ever!" Katie kissed Vesper's cheek and then Andray's before running back inside the orphanage.

"Charming kid," Andray said. Vesper tiptoed and kissed his cheek before running inside the orphanage.

"What was that for?" he asked. He entered the orphanage in a daze, caressing his cheek where Vesper's lips had been.

Sister Claire led him to the lounge and he saw that Vesper's already settled on the couch, reading a fable to the kids whose attentions were focused on Vesper. He listened in and Vesper's soothing voice caressed his eardrums. He was surprised at his body's immediate reaction and he desperately hid his fly under his jacket.

Sister Magda called everyone's attention and announced that dinner was already served. Vesper looked up and saw that Andray was watching her. She gave him a small smile and stood up, walking towards him.

"Uhm, yeah, Vesper, what is it?" he blurted out, nervous that she noticed his arousal.

"Sister Magda's inviting us to stay for dinner." Her feminine scent wafted through his nostrils, sending his hormones into overdrive.

"Sure. Why not?" he said, feigning calmness when inside he's a puddle of hormones.

Dinner consisted of mac-and-cheese and egg drop soup. The kids squealed in delight when they saw the tubs of Ben and Jerry's. After dinner, they lined-up and eagerly waited for the ice cream. Vesper and Andray also got an ice cream cone of their own and they sat down and watched as the kids happily ate.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Vesper asked when she noticed Andray's unwavering gaze on her.

"There's ice cream on your lips and I want to lick it away. Every single drop," he replied in a low voice.

She bit back her reply, unable to speak, when his tongue darted out to lick the ice cream dripping down the cone. His tongue slowly made its way up to the ice cream and leisurely swirled at the top of it. She immediately felt a familiar tug in her abdomen.

Andray leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "Also, I'm imagining that this," he said, referring to the ice cream, "is your pvssy, and I'm licking every drop of your juices away." He brought his thumb to the corner of Vesper's lips and wiped the ice cream away. Then, he put his thumb to his lips and licked the ice cream off, his eyes glinting with wickedness as he stared back at Vesper's wide ones.

Well, fvck. Vesper clenched her legs together and thought about what the kids' reactions would be if she threw Andray down the floor to have her wicked ways with him. The mental image in her head of the kids seeing that and being traumatized wasn't very appealing to her.

"Stop it!" she hissed. She stood up and walked towards the nuns, a blush creeping up her face. I'm pretty sure Andray won't try to seduce me in front of the Sisters, she thought. "Thank you very much for the dinner. We had a great time." The nuns also thanked her and sent their well wishes to her parents who visit sometimes.

Her phone vibrated in her hand.

You can't always run away from me. The text message from Andray read.

She looked up from her phone and found Andray smirking. Her eyes widened when he stood up and walked towards them.

"What are you doing?" she whispered. Andray ignored her and turned his attention to the nuns.

"Thank you for dinner, Sister Magda, Sister Claire, and Sister Lea. The orphanage is lovely and the kids are very charming. I had a wonderful time. " Andray said.

She breathed a sigh of relief. She thought that Andray would do something inappropriate in front of the nuns.

"You're very much welcome. I'm sure that the kids here enjoyed as well," Sister Magda replied.

"Sisters, I'm afraid that we have to get going now. Thank you very much again for today," Vesper said.

After exchanging their goodbyes with the nuns, Vesper and Andray said their goodbyes to the children. Katie kissed them goodbye and the both of them went out of the orphanage.

"Would you like to spend the night at my place?" Vesper asked as she stepped inside the Porsche.

"Oh, I'd love to," Andray replied.

"Good."

"But I need to make a stop at home first. I still need to give Ellie her dinner."

Vesper's smile was