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Steak level. That’s what my brothers call the two times I went out with a woman for longer than six months. It’s when I make us juicy steaks for dinner, and if they pass that, they get a hot bath with me where I give them the rub down of their lives. No woman has passed the steak level.
He gets up and sighs. “Enjoy your dinner tonight.”
“Arseny,” I call before he leaves.
He pauses and looks at me. I pull out a photo I stole from Penny. It’s of her, dressed up for a formal night out. “See this necklace. I want you to find it.”
“It doesn’t look like it’s worth much,” my brother says quietly, looking at me. “Is it for Penny?”
“It was stolen. To her, it means the world.”
He nods and turns to the door. I watch him leave before I start to work. I don’t stop until three, and then I shut down everything to drive myself down to a decent Russian butcher that I have on the books. He has the steaks I ordered ready and packaged, and I grab them and place them in the cooler box in my car before I stop at the farmer’s market for fresh vegetables, freshly baked bread, and salad ingredients.
By the time I get home, my stomach is growling. Thankfully, there’s no sign of Luka’s car when I get home, so I take everything to the kitchen, where Mrs. Beth is packing away dishes. “I’ve got dinner for tonight,” I say. “I’ll be cooking.”
She nods. “Thank you, sir. I’ll finish up and take my leave.”
I go hunting for Penny. She’s sitting in the library and smiles when she looks at me. I want her to always look at me with that smile. Beaming radiantly at me. My little investment revenge cheered her up, so it was worth it, and I lost nothing for it.
“Penny,” I say, leaning on the arms of the armchair so I’m above her. “Please, will you join me? I would like you to sit in the kitchen and drink non-alcoholic wine while I cook you a juicy steak for dinner.”
She licks her lips and then narrows her eyes. “Do you know how to cook?”
“Just because I hire a cook doesn’t mean I don’t know how to make a decent steak.” I stand up and offer her my hand. She sets her book down and takes my hand, getting up. For a moment, we stand there, looking into each other's eyes before I step back to let her walk ahead of me.
She’s a little flustered as she hurries past, and I smile. I like having an effect on her.
Once we’re in the kitchen and alone, I pull out a seat for her. “You should be comfy here, and let me get you a glass of wine.” I take out the non-alcoholic wine and pour us each a glass, passing one to her.
“The secret to a decent steak is not to overcook it,” I say, taking out the large meat packages.
“Those are huge,” she says, a little in awe.
“These are my favorite. This butcher specializes in bigger cuts of meat.” I smile. “Right, let’s get started.”
I make homemade french fries, juicy, flavorsome steaks, homemade garlic bread, sweet corn, and salad. Penny talks to me while I cook, asking me about Russia. I tell her about visiting and spending some of my childhood there to be educated in Russian politics and history.
“Luka never went because my mother couldn’t bear to send him.” I chuckle. “Spoiled brat from the day he was born.”
I plate the food and lead her to the dining room. “Here you go.” I set her plate down in front of her and sit beside her with mine. “Enjoy.”
We tuck into our food, and I smile as she closes her eyes. She swallows and turns me, “That is the best steak I have ever had.”
“Thank you.” I cut into mine again. “I thought after this we could take a bath together, maybe add some candles and some bath oil.”
“Are you trying to seduce me?” she asks with a blush.
“Don’t tempt me to, but no. I thought it would be nice if I could rub you down with some oil and get you to relax a little. It’ll be good for the baby.”
We talk while we eat, although I feel that I talk more than I usually do. Penny seems content to listen to my voice and eat her food. In fact, she even looks a little sleepy.
When we’re done, I take the plates to the kitchen and take her upstairs. I let her sit on the side of the bath with me while I run it and pour oils in.
“Have you done this with many women?” she asks. It’s curiosity, but I sense a hint of insecurity.
“I’ve had steak with two women, one of which left me and one which I left. I don’t make it a habit to bathe with random people, though, if that eases your mind.” I smile.
She smiles back and shrugs. “I just…you’re a good-looking man. I just imagine women would throw themselves at you a lot.”
