AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He didn’t want to see you the first time we made dinner plans, but he showed up anyway.” She just had to remind me of that. “You can fill me in on the ride over. I think they may already be there having a pint.”
I wanted a pint. Well, I thought I did, but once we reached the pub the smell of the yeast brewed beverage made it way less appealing. It was as if I could suddenly smell every single ingredient in every single dish on the menu. By the time we got to our table, I may have accidentally stolen a couple chips from a plate as a server passed.
Thurst looked… drunk? Somewhat settled. Way less worried than I thought he should be if he still thought he would get expelled for swimming in the ocean.
“My Love.” Thurston wasn’t loud, but he sure wasn’t quiet. “Please, allow me.”
It was a booth, so there was no reason for him to get up just for me to sit down, but he did, so I slid into it and sat facing his bestie as Thurst returned to the seat and faced mine as she slid in on the opposite side and snuggled up to the monster next to her. I think his horns had thickened since the last time we saw them.
“Don’t make me jealous,” Thurst whispered as he reached past me for the mug.
I could feel my entire body flush with heat and embarrassment. I didn’t even have words. I also had a real problem. Being this close to him after being away from him all day had my hormones doing somersaults and other acrobatics I would never attempt in real life.
As if he could read my mind, or maybe they could all read my face, Thurst whispered against my ear, “After dinner, My Love.”
I was not going to do anything with him after dinner. No fucking way. No.
“It’s a celebration!” Braz toasted. “Because the island isn’t a part of any body of water in this system, it does not count.”
They clinked their drinks and I sighed with a fraction of relief. Ellie pulled a piece of the hot bread that had just been placed before us as she said, “And together, the four of us will ensure nothing will happen to my best friend.”
She winked at me. Braz nodded and Thurst smiled as he pushed the bread toward me. “You should eat.”
I gulped and lowered my eyes. My mouth was watering, but not for the bread. Maybe for him, but really, what I wanted more than anything, was the burger on the tray that just passed us. “I don’t eat meat.”
“Try it.” Thurst motioned and the server came toward us. “We’re ready.”
No one, least of all me, was ready for the endless hunger that had suddenly overtaken my brain. I ate my burger, then another, then some ribs, then Ellie shared her dessert and I went on a whole other tangent of need.
An hour later, I stood in the back next to the chef and said, “Thank you. I really—”
“No problem at all, Ms. Mayhem. Anytime you want to use my kitchen, you just let me know.” He wasn’t lying, but I could tell this was awkward as hell for him. Ellie seemed really interested in my concoction, and the guys, well. They just seemed concerned with my behavior.
I had to admit, my dessert snobbery had taken on a whole new level when I suggested I take the reins and make this spice loaf. When the timer hadn’t gone off, but my nose told me it was ready, I said, “Your oven is about five minutes hotter than I’m used to. It’s done.”
I pulled the spice loaf from the oven and the aroma, already drawing attention, had everyone inhaling harder to get more of that smell into their lungs.
“That smells amazing.” Braz nodded his approval.
I smacked his giant hand with the spatula as I said, “One more minute please.”
Everyone laughed, but I was serious. This would be great as is, yes, but with the icing drizzle, it would be divine. Once it was decorated to perfection, I sliced the loaf and offered Braz the first piece since he was likely the only other person in here who seemed to understand how strong my need was to eat this loaf cake.
I took my own bite as I offered a slice to Ellie. Thurst didn’t bother to take a bite of his as he just slipped it on to my empty plate and then cut smaller squares to offer those gathered in the kitchen.
“Anytime!” the chef shouted. “This is delicious! Make more!”
The sous-chef had been studying me and taking magical notes. The kitchen bustled back to life as Thurst escorted me and the last slices out the back entry, past the garbage bins, and into the moonlight. He handed me the last slice and asked, “Feel better?”
I nodded. I was so much better, happy even, now that I was full of— “How much did I eat in there?”
“Not a school record if that is what you were aiming for, but there’s still time.” He winked and I frowned up at him. “You were hungry. You should eat when you need to eat. Eat what you want. Promise me.”
“I’ve never eaten meat before.” I scrubbed my forehead. “Why did I want so much of it?”
“Evolution?” he asked but sort of implied that was the answer. “Your mother is a carnivore. You’ve probably been raised without meat to suppress your nature from your father. That’s not an option anymore, so… eat.”
“You were not a carnivore before coming to land.” I pointed at him, feeling a bit tipsy for some reason. There was no alcohol in the recipe.
