Dreams: Chapter 3
Chapter 3
I felt like doing something really special for Marcus, and being new at this "liking a guy" thing, the only thing I could come up with was to cook him something nice and from scratch. I knew some of the things he liked such as steak, green beans cooked in bacon, and mashed potatoes but I wanted to do something more than the basics.
I opened up the cabinet above the stove and got out my mother's favorite cook book. Despite the other few dozen that she had, this one "The Ways of a Chef" was by far her favorite. It was a fairly large book of some 200 plus pages but it had dishes and instructions from all around the world. Not only that but it explained everything in a very easy to understand way with loads of details.
I didn't want to make something he would not like so I looked for something not too ethnic, or too spicy, or too strange. I knew for a fact though that he absolutely loved Greek salads so that was the first thing I looked at. It didn't take me long to find one entitled "Greek Spring"
Ingredients
1 head romaine lettuce- rinsed, dried and chopped
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 (6 ounce) can pitted black olives
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, sliced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 lemon, juiced
ground black pepper to taste
Directions
In a large salad bowl, combine the Romaine, onion, olives, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumber and cheese.
Whisk together the olive oil, oregano, lemon juice and black pepper. Pour dressing over salad, toss and serve.
As I got the ingredients from the fridge, my phone vibrated on the countertop. I set everything down on the prep board on the island and picked up my phone. It was a text from Marcus asking if it was ok to come back or if I was busy. I didn't want to seem mean and tell him I was busy making it sound like he wasn't welcomed, but I also didn't want him to come back just yet. I texted him back that I had stepped out for a little bit to go to the store and that I would be back in about an hour.
Putting the phone down I got a knife, cutting board, and a rag and placed them next the ingredients on the island. I went to the sink and quickly washed my paws off as well as to take a mental breather. I had an hour to make this salad and I still need something hot. I went back to the book and looked for something that wouldn't take forever to make but still be considered a delicacy. I was in luck when I found something titled "Basic Italian Chicken"
Ingredients
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into strips
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup pimento-stuffed green olives
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Season chicken with salt and pepper.
In a skillet or sauté pan, sauté minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced breast meat, and brown.
Reduce heat to low. Add wine, cover, and simmer for 35 minutes.
Add olives, and let simmer for 10 minutes more. When ready to serve, add cherry tomatoes for a minute or two. They should not get mushy or split open, just get warm. Serve immediately.
Again it was simple, easy to make plus I knew I had the material to make it. My parents were going to kill me for using up the chicken but it was for a good cause, to me at least anyway and that was the important part.
As I got to work preparing the meat and placing it in the skillet to cook, I started working on the salad at the same time. Cooking chicken always leave you plenty of time to multitask since it takes so long cook. I was determined to have this meal finished within the hour without butchering it.
As I got to the green pepper for the salad, I suddenly remembered that Marcus absolutely hated the things. He would never eat anything with them in it, cooked or not. For some reason though he didn't mind the red bell pepper so I substituted the green one for another red one and sliced them putting them into the mixing bowl with the rest of the material and gave it a good mixing to make sure there was a bit of everything in every bite.
I stirred the chicken adding the white wine from some brand named "Funf" and put the top on it and turned it down to a simmer. I gave the salad a once over and then sat down at a chair at the dining table to take a breather. Marcus would be here in about 5 minutes and I was pleased that the food would be ready by then.
Hearing my phone vibrate on the countertop got me up and portioning out the food onto plates. There would be a lot left over but that was ok since we both ate a lot and it would stay good for a day or two to eat when I was hungry. Just as I got the plates set down on the table, I heard a knock on the front door signaling that Marcus had arrived.
Putting in the best casual face I had I opened the door only to receive a hug and nuzzle. It made me so happy and giddy seeing his tail twitch back and forth signaling he was in a good mood and content. I myself was wagging my tail furiously unable to get it under control. Remembering his shirt that was still hanging over the couch I released myself from his embrace and went to grab it.
"You left this, thought you might want it back."
"Why don't you keep it for a while Lou, I've got another one I can wear. Well you know what let me see it for a sec."
As I gave the shirt back to him he motioned for me to turn around. I complied feeling confused until he started putting my arms through the sleeves. I was now wearing his shirt which was heavily dosed in his scent. I felt the arousal growing in my pants only to remember the food I had made. I however must have been caught up longer than I thought in "Downing" my manhood due to Marcus's comment on how delicious the house smelled asking if I had made food. I quickly grabbed his shoulder and turned him from the kitchen sitting him down on the couch.
"You have to close your eyes while we walk into the kitchen."
"Why is that Lou?"
"Because... it is something special and it tried very hard to get it made right."
"Hmm, so a naked poster of you hanging from a wall holding a king's staff and wearing a crown?"
"Huh? Marcus has anyone ever told you how weird some of the things you say are? Why would I have that made anyway when I'm standing right in front of you?"
"Hmm sorry."
"Pfft ok Marc put you paws over your eyes and hold my hand. Wait you need both of you paws. Hmm give me your tail."
"Hey haven't you heard it is bad luck to pull a cat's tail. They might whack you in the face if you aren't careful."
"Yea and I've also heard my head telling me I'm hungry and want to eat."
"Oh which head and eat what?"
"Marcus..."
"Alright alright I'm done with the puns. Are we in the kitchen yet? The smell is intoxicating and I'm starting to feel feral."
"Yep, open your eyes and behold my wonderful masterpiece that no one else could do in the entire world except for the people who came up with the recipe."
Marcus uncovered his eyes and his jaw dropped. It was like he had just been handed twenty million dollars and told to spend it however he wanted. His eyes looked at the table and the food on it which I had set of professionally like my kitchen was a five-star restaurant. He padded over to the table still examining everything and making whispered comment that my canine senses could not make sense of.
"Lou, you did this all yourself... For me?"
"Mmm hmm, sure did and I had no help from anyone at all. Sit down and eat, after all I did make it for you."
He took his seat at the table and I followed right after. I watched him eat barley touching my own food, admiring how thankful he was and how beautiful he looked. I didn't feel the need to eat the most beautiful and elegant meal when I had the world's best gift sitting in front of me, both of us enjoying each other's company.