Chapter 21. But you kissed me back

"Dad, we're ready" Tedros jumped happily in front of his father.

" That's nice. Now get in the car the both of you and let's leave.We don't want to make my friend sad , do we?" Desmond opened the door to the car, and they gave a nod before jumping into the car.

He went to the driver's seat and started the engine.

…

Frances sat inside a cafe staring outside through the glass partition, sipping gently the coffee in the mug she was holding. She already sent a message to Desmond to come meet her there. She would rather have coffee than eating anything.

She was lost in thoughts when she heard the rumbling sound of a car engine stopping outside the cafe and she guessed it was Desmond. And as she had guessed, he came down from the car but to her surprise, he wasn't alone. He came down from the car with two kids, a girl and a boy that looks around the same age.

Rihanna and Tedros ran inside the cafe with excitement and Desmond followed them from behind silently.

He stopped in front of Frances and greeted her with a smile. " Hi," he said softly.

"Oh, you're dad's friend, am I right? Nice to meet you. I'm Tedros by the way" Tedros stretched out his little hand towards her and Frances took it.

" Nice to meet you again Tedros." She smiled at him.

But then, she couldn't help but notice the little cute girl beside him.

" And you're?" She asked.

" I'm Rihanna, Tedro's friend. '' Rihanna gave a big smile.

Frances bent over gently and smuggled her into a hug. She felt so attached to the little girl for heaven knows why. She shut her eyes and stroked Rihanna's hair gently.

" Ma'am, excuse me" Rihanna tried to push her away slightly and get away from the hug because it was getting tighter that she could hardly breath.

" Sorry, you're so beautiful Rihanna" Frances finally let go of her and held her hands. She moved her face to the side and wiped away the tears that was gathering at the corner of her eyes.

" Since children aren't allowed to take coffee, what should we do?" Tedros asked. His question made Frances and Desmond exchange glances.

" Who wants to make some cookies with me at my place!" Frances faced the kids.

" Me! Me!" The children shouted happily jumping on their toes.

Desmond and Frances took the kids to the car and drove off to Cartersville.

…

Both the adults made the kids settle down to watch cartoons. While they went to the kitchen to make the cookies.

" You should sit with the kids, I will be fine on my own" Frances said as she put on the apron. But before she could tie it around her neck, Desmond moved faster to her and helped her with it.

" I want to see how it is done," He whispered into her ear.

Frances felt a tingling sensation and gently shoved him off her. She turned the knob of the washbasin and washed her have under the running water. She then took a bowl and added some meaningful amount of flour and other ingredients to made the cookies. She then began to make the dough. She could feel Desmond's gaze on her so she avoided his eyes and concreted on what she was busy with.

Desmond went behind her and washed his hands as well. But he didn't stop there as he hugged her from behind and held her hands. And they began to make the dough holding hands.

Frances looked up to his face and felt mesmerized by his charm.

" Do you like what you see?" He held her hands more tightly, still concentrating on the dough.

Frances quickly looked away from him and swallowed hard. How could she be admiring him so shamelessly?

"Don't curse yourself, it's not a sin" He finally looked at her and gave her a smile.

Frances glares at him with surprise, can he read her mind? She quickly passed him. She was beginning to feel magneted to him because of their closeness.

She placed the cookies in the oven and began to clear the kitchen and tidy up the kitchen countertops.

"You have something on your face" Desmond held her hand and pointed to her face.

" Here" She tried to wipe it off but she still didn't get it right.

Desmond moved closer to her and tried to help her. He pulled her closer to himself and traced her face with his finger. He wipes the flour on her face off gently but didn't let go of her. The atmosphere between them became heated and Desmond doesn't know what's right or wrong, all he wanted was to taste her lips.

He smashed his lips on hers and began to kiss her deeply. Frances was so shocked that she froze up and became powerless in his arms. Not moving, not protesting, giving Desmond all the time he needed to explore her mouth.

Before she could know what's going on, she found herself kissing him back passionately as well. She then suddenly stopped and looked into his eyes.

" You shouldn't have done that" She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

" But you kissed me back" Desmond wanted to hold her hand when the alarm form the oven sounded. Frances quickly rushed to it and brought out the cookies. She brought out the already baked cookies and took it out to the kids who were happy and started diving in without hesitation.

Desmond and Frances couldn't eat, they were some few meters away from each other but couldn't stop staring into each other's eyes.

" Frances" The voice made her heart beat fast and she quickly turned around.

" Dad! You're back? Ahmm, the kids wanted to have some cookies so I invited them over" She fidgeted. We knew her father doesn't like it when she and Desmond are together.

"Hello, Mr. Carter. We're so sorry for invading, you know how kids are" Desmond contributed. He doesn't want him to blame Frances for anything.

" That's alright son, and how're the kids doing?" Mr. Carter bent over and touched both their noses playfully.

" We're great! And your daughter is such a nice person grandpa" Rihanna replied.

Mr. Carter was amazed by how sweet she was and patted her head gently giving her a nod and a broad smile.

" We should be on our way" Desmond turned to the kids and said. " What would you say to Aunt"

" Thank you Auntie!" The kids echoed together before running outside towards their car.

" I will join you shortly" Frances headed back to the kitchen and packed some leftover cookies inside a fancy box and headed outside to the parking lot.

She met Desmond resting his body in the car and patiently waiting for her. She stretched out the box to him and said.

" It much and I think the kids like it so I pack some more for them and you too"

Desmond sigh softly and collected it from her and gave her a kiss on her forehead. " Thank you, do take care of yourself"

He got into the car and drove out of the parking lot.

Frances stood for a while before turning around to leave but she bumped into her father. Who was standing with folded arms and gazing intensely at her.

"what!" She whispered and rolled her eyes.