Silence filled the space between us. The only sound in the kitchen was the crackling eggs, and I zeroed in on them. Once I focused on him again, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to look away. We were already in dangerous territory. He was a pawn I’d planned on moving in my game of chess with Luke, but now it was difficult to think of him as anything but the king, alongside KC. What the fuck was I going to do?
“Where’s KC?”
I opened the fridge and pulled out the juice. Once I had two glasses from the cabinet, I placed them on the island in front of Oliver and filled them. “Gone home to get his precious protein smoothie.” I forced myself not to frown in concern. It was none of my business what KC did and how many of the smoothies he drank.
Oliver eyed me suspiciously as he took one of the glasses and sipped the juice. “You’re not trying to hurt him, are you?”
I smothered a grunt. His question was one for the history books. Was I trying to hurt KC? Yes, but only because it would hurt Luke. But the more time I spent around these guys, the more I was second-guessing myself. “No. I like him.”
It was only half a lie. I did enjoy KC’s company. More than I should.
“How did you know I had a crush on him?” He sat up straighter, protectiveness overtaking his posture. He was cute when he was trying to look big and defensive. “You mentioned it in the alleyway when you tackled me. You didn’t know me then.”
I smirked. I’d already thought up an answer for this question because I’d known it was coming sooner or later. I took a sip of my juice and swallowed. “I had a haircut at your old workplace. I overheard you and your former boss talking about it.”
He frowned, his cute nose wrinkling. “I would’ve remembered you.”
I shrugged and turned to switch off the stove, then moved the pan onto a wooden cutting board. “Clearly, you didn’t.”
“Are you sure?” Suspicion crackled in his tone. “Because I barely ever talk to Barber about that kind of thing.”
“How else would I know?” I threw a grin over my shoulder as I grabbed plates and transferred the eggs before sprinkling them with salt and pepper. Next, I slotted some bread into the toaster.
“You’re right. You wouldn’t.” Oli chuckled.
If only he knew. I was a snake, and he was my future victim, completely unaware of my existence. But the real question was this:Would I bite him or slither away? Fuck.
Once the toast popped, I transferred it over to the plates and passed him one. I took the seat beside him and had another sip of my juice. “I’m an asshole, but I’m not a supervillain.”
He choked around his juice and coughed. Thumping his chest with his palm, he glared. “You’re not far off.”
“Hey!”
He laughed again, his pretty brown eyes lighting up. He nudged my shoulder with his and smiled with a softness I didn’t want to overanalyze. There was no way he was starting to like me. Right?
Right?
Double fuck.
The door opened and KC walked through with a protein smoothie in hand. A wind-flush flooded his cheeks and he grinned the moment his gaze landed on us.
“Who are these two sexy guys?” KC winked as he ate up the distance between us. He leaned in to kiss me.
I grasped his face between my palms and ate at his mouth. The taste of his smoothie was already coating his tongue, and Ididn’t enjoy the chalky flavor one fucking bit. I preferred to rely on food for protein instead of potions and powders.
KC broke the kiss and dipped in to give one to Oliver, too, and I twisted the seat around to watch their lips meld together. The sight of them sent a spike of heat through me that pooled low in my stomach. My cock stretched awake in my boxers.
When KC pulled away, he gave me a knowing look. “Keep it in your pants, inked god. We’re going out after you finish breakfast.”
“We are?” I raised my eyebrows.
“You promised me a date with the three of us. The farmers’ market by the lake is open. It’s Sunday. I haven’t been in a while. It’d be nice.” He curled an arm around Oliver’s shoulders and pressed a kiss to his temple. “Oliver would like to go, too. Wouldn’t you, sweetheart?”
Red bled across Oliver’s face and down his neck, but he nodded eagerly, dark curls bouncing. “They have bear claws there sometimes.”
“Bear claws, huh? How can I say no to that?” I smirked and gave his muscled ass a generous squeeze. “How’s your hole after last night?”
The flush on his cheeks deepened, this time with an added shy smile. “A little sore. Those piercings are something else.”
