Chapter 357: Drifting Mind ll "Umm... it smells so tasty... Ezra..." Aeri said, leaning closer to the pot and taking a deep breath of the curry’s aroma. Her eyes closed for a moment as she enjoyed the smell.
"You are just too hungry... that’s why," I said with a sarcastic smile, stirring the pot slowly.
"No, I mean it," she replied in a serious tone, insisting she really liked the smell.
"Yes, yes, I get that," I said, exhaling as I stood beside her and continued steering the spoon in the pot.
I picked up the fresh cilantro, chopped it quickly on the cutting board, and put the chopped leaves into a small bowl so I could garnish the food later when everything was fully cooked.
Aeri stood silently beside me the whole time, not moving or saying anything. She just watched me work.
"Hmm? What are you standing here for?" I asked casually, glancing at her. It felt a bit weird to see her standing there so quietly without speaking.
"I am just looking... at you cooking. That is all," she said, grinning like an idiot, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Heh..." I let out a sarcastic laugh and shook my head.
"You will do anything other than resting, right?" I said, blinking at her sarcastically.
"Yeah... right... I guess... I should wait outside only..." Aeri said with a slightly embarrassed smile, realizing I was right. She turned on her heels and started walking out of the kitchen.
*Tap*
She took the first step toward the living room, but before she could go further, I instantly reached out and hugged her from behind. My arms wrapped around her, my hands resting just above her chest. Her back pressed gently against my chest as we stood silently together in the kitchen.
"Wait!" I said softly.
Aeri froze for a moment, surprised by the sudden hug. The kitchen felt warmer with her body so close to mine. I could smell the fresh soap from her recent bath and feel the softness of her blue mini dress against me. Neither of us moved or spoke for a few seconds. The only sound was the gentle bubbling of the chicken curry on the stove.
I held her like that, my chin lightly resting near her shoulder. My heart was beating a little faster than usual. Aeri didn’t pull away. She just stood there, letting me hold her, her breathing calm and steady.
After a moment, I spoke quietly near her ear, "Just stay here for a little while... okay?"
She didn’t answer with words, but I felt her body relax slightly in my arms. The afternoon light coming through the kitchen window made everything feel soft and intimate. For now, the food could wait on the stove. All I wanted was this small, quiet moment with her.
"What happened, Ezra...?" Aeri asked softly, her voice carrying a shy blush as I hugged her suddenly from behind in the kitchen. She stayed still in my arms, not pulling away.
"Nothing..." I replied quietly, my voice low and close to her ear.
"Then why did you hold me like this so suddenly?" she asked, sounding a little surprised but curious.
"Just because..." I whispered softly into her ear, my breath warm against her skin.
"You okay?" she asked, looking down at her feet. She could clearly see my arms wrapped tightly around her from the front.
"Yep... just missed you a lot..." I said, hugging her even more tightly. I pulled her closer so her back pressed fully against my chest.
"I-I see..." Aeri said, gulping nervously. As I held her, her ass slowly pressed back against my groin. The thin fabric of her blue mini dress was the only thing between us.
"I missed you too, Ezra..." she added gently, her hands coming up to hold my arms that were wrapped around her.
"Really?" I asked, snuggling my face softly into the side of her neck. My warm breath brushed against her sensitive skin.
"Yeahh..." she replied, her cheeks turning redder and her breathing becoming a little harder.
"By the way, it’s not just you that I missed..." I said in a roundabout way, my voice dropping lower.
"What do you mean?" she asked, glancing back at me over her shoulder with curious, slightly nervous eyes.
"I missed this... as well..." I whispered. Slowly, I moved my hips forward, gently rubbing my groin against her soft ass.
"Ahmm..." Aeri let out a soft gasp, her body reacting instantly to the touch. She shivered lightly in my arms.
I lowered my hands a little more, first cupping and groping her soft, big tits through the thin material of her dress. I squeezed them gently, feeling their warmth and weight. Then I slid my hands down over her stomach, tracing the curve there, before moving them back to her ass. I groped her full, soft curves firmly for a moment, enjoying how they felt in my palms. Finally, I let my hands slide forward onto her smooth, naked thighs, stroking the soft skin there.
"Ezra..." she moaned my name quietly, her voice breathy and filled with emotion.
We stood there together in the kitchen, completely still for a moment. The chicken curry continued to bubble softly on the stove behind us, filling the air with a warm, spicy smell. The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a golden glow over everything. Aeri’s body felt warm and soft pressed against mine. Her breathing had become heavier, and I could feel her heart beating faster.
I kept my face close to her neck, placing another soft kiss there while my hands continued to explore her body slowly and gently. She didn’t stop me. Instead, she leaned back into me a little more, her hands still holding onto my arms as if she didn’t want me to let go.
The thin straps of her blue mini dress had slipped slightly off her shoulders, and the short hem rode up a bit more as I touched her thighs. The fresh scent of her soap from the recent bath mixed with the aroma of the cooking food. It made the whole kitchen feel smaller, warmer, and more intimate.
For a few long seconds, everything else faded away — the worries about Sonny, the hospital stay, and her lost memories. All that mattered was this quiet, close moment between us in our home. Aeri stayed in my arms, breathing softly, her body responding to every touch.
I held her like that, not wanting to break the moment just yet.