Page 42 of Dancing for the Minotaur

“Then we appeal.”

Taurex's brow furrowed.

“And if the appeal fails?”

Terra looked up at him and smiled.

“Then we get mean.”

His mouth twitched at that, as though he was trying not to smile in return, and Terra felt an answering little flicker of amusement despite herself.

By eleven o'clock, she had completely taken over the conference table, and by noon she had built a spreadsheet tracking every outstanding invoice she could find. At twelve-thirty, she finally happened to glance at the clock on her laptop and realized with surprise that she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. Her stomach apparently chose that exact moment to notice as well, because it gave a loud, embarrassing growl.

Taurex looked up from the documents he'd been reading.

“You require nourishment.”

Terra blinked at him. “I require what?”

“Food. Forgive me–I should not have kept you working so long without feeding you.”

“That’s okay.” She glanced at the time again and shook her head. “Wow, I didn't realize it was that late.”

“Stay here. I have provisions,” he told her, rising from his chair.

Before Terra could ask what exactly he meant by provisions, Taurex disappeared into the enormous kitchen. He returned several minutes later carrying a tray so large that she wondered if he'd misunderstood the concept of lunch entirely.

There were sandwiches, fruit, sliced cheese, crackers and several containers of prepared salads, along with bottled water and enough extra food to feed a small office staff.

Terra stared at the tray.

“What is all this?”

“Lunch,” he said simply.

“For who? The Army?” she asked, trying not to stare at the huge amount of food piled on the tray.

He shrugged.

“For us. I thought we could share a meal.”

She looked from the food to him.

“How much do you normally eat?”

Taurex considered the question as though she had asked him something deeply philosophical.

“A sufficient amount,” he said at last.

Terra felt the corners of her mouth twitching.

“That’s not an answer,” she pointed out.

“Nonetheless, it is accurate,” Taurex rumbled.

Terra shook her head and picked up half a turkey sandwich. “Do you always eat Earth food?”

“Not always, no. I have some food from my home world in the refrigeration unit if you want to try it. I have some raw Jor’ish flank marinated in grellim butter if you like.”