Page 21 of Scorched

Fabrice groaned. “I used to pop out of bed to get to my kitchen. With you here, I don’t want to leave this bed.”

Kirkland groaned. “Don’t tempt me to beg. Your kitchen needs you.” He rolled to the side, setting Fabrice free.

Fabrice sighed and climbed out of bed.

Kirkland stared at his sexy bare ass all the way to the bathroom. He bided his time until he heard the shower turn on. Kirkland was off like a shot to get into the shower with Fabrice.

The way Fabrice smiled showed he had been waiting for him. “Took you long enough.”

Kirkland grabbed the body wash and one of the washcloths from the basket on the other end of the wet room. He lathered the material and washed Fabrice’s skin. Kirkland kept his eyes on his task, half because he loved eyeing Fabrice’s body and half because he felt vulnerable. Fabrice always had him confessing his every thought. “Before you, I had never showered with anyone. I’m finding this a bit addicting. Whereas I used to keep a house in perfect order, that same pride fills me to know I’ve made sure you’re taken care of in every way.”

Fabrice touched Kirkland’s chin and brought Kirkland’s gaze to hold his stare. “There’s no shyness, shame, or anything else that separates us. You can always look me in the eye and tell me everything.”

He didn’t know what it was about Fabrice. Sometimes Fabrice felt like he was the older one in their relationship. He was blunt, nonjudgmental, and made Kirkland feel safe. If he could say anything, he would.

Kirkland didn’t waste the bravery Fabrice gave him. “I’ve never felt as sure of anything in my life as I am of you. You make me feel like my life is finally secure enough to be me again. Thank you.”

Fabrice’s features softened. “You never have to thank me for falling in love with you. That was all you.”

Kirkland swiped a kiss across Fabrice’s lips before getting back to work. His sexy man needed to be squeaky clean for another long day. Kirkland wished Beau would recognize how many hours Fabrice put in. He gathered Fabrice got paid an exorbitant amount of money for his work—like a truly insane amount. No matter the numbers, there was no payday big enough to replace the lost years Fabrice had spent working nonstop. Kirkland would know. Atticus had also ensured Kirkland was vastly overpaid for his services. All those empty years were still gone. He would never get them back.

While Fabrice was ten minutes late, the paltry seconds didn’t upset his routine. He got a few looks, though. No one had ever seen him be late before. Fabrice simply flashed them a bright smile and jumped right into working. As he kneaded dough, Fabrice’s mind wandered. He thought back to every moment he had spent with Kirkland since Kirkland had arrived. He had grown so much. Fabrice saw the tiny changes Kirkland underwent every day. The hard edge to his shoulders had softened. He actually smiled now. Damn, he had a gorgeous smile.

Fabrice moved his dough to the proofer and washed his hands. He had to give that a good forty-five minutes. Meanwhile, Fabrice needed to start on his next project if he hoped to have breakfast on the table in time. He had gotten his routine down to the second. Fabrice had breakfast set buffet-style by the time the first riser ambled in. Fabrice flashed Mickey a smile. His husband, Edge, was right on his heels. When Rhodes and Cairo were right behind them, Fabrice scrambled back into the kitchen. With the entire California family in town, Fabrice had to work four times as hard to make sure they didn’t run out of food. Luckily, he had an amazing kitchen staff. However, there were certain items he refused to let anyone else handle.

He heard the door swing open as he worked on his second batch of cinnamon rolls. Fabrice’s shoulders tensed before he turned. He wasn’t ready to deal with Jett again yet.

Fabrice blinked and then blinked again as his eyes refused to believe what they saw. His uncle, Pierre, stood in the center of his kitchen. “Pierre,” Fabrice yelled the name as he quickly crossed the room and pulled the man who raised him into a hug. “Mon Dieu. What are you doing here? I’m so happy to see you.”

Before Pierre had time to answer, Kirkland entered the kitchen. His shoulders returned to their usual hard stance the moment he saw they weren’t alone.

Fabrice grabbed Pierre’s hand and dragged him toward Kirkland. “Hey, Kirkland, this is my uncle, Pierre. Pierre, this is Kirkland, my man.” He practically purred the words.

Pierre looked between them before doing it again. It was as if he measured the differences between them. He never stopped smiling. Pierre finally focused on Kirkland. He held out his hand. When Kirkland went to shake, Pierre pulled him into a hug. “We don’t shake hands in this family. The French are lovers.” His accent was so thick, Fabrice wondered if Kirkland understood a word.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Kirkland didn’t sound stiff exactly, but he had retreated into his shell again.

Pierre made a shooing motion.

Fabrice jumped in. “No. It’s okay for him to be in here.”

Pierre shook his head. “I don’t mean only him. You both are to go.”

“What?” Fabrice didn’t mean to sound harsh, but Pierre’s kitchen was back in California.

Pierre motioned for them to leave again. “I’m here to work. Your presence is required in the breakfast room.”

Fabrice’s eyebrows snapped together. He loved his uncle, but no one would take his kitchen. He opened his mouth to take control.

Pierre shook his head. “This is Beau’s order. There is family business and your presence is required.”

A groan rose in his throat. He caught the sound before it escaped. This was about the Jett thing. He just knew it. Damn. “Oui. I will go.” His accent always peeked out when he was stressed. He wrapped himself around Kirkland’s arm, hanging on for support. “I’ll return soon to help.” He took a step and paused. “There are pastries in the proofing machine.”

Pierre rolled his eyes. “I have this. Go before Beau gets impatient.”

That got Fabrice moving. He dragged Kirkland with him. Kirkland’s muscles were tensed, but he didn’t complain. At least he hadn’t run and picked out an old man suit. He was still at Fabrice’s side.

When they reached the breakfast room, Fabrice’s anxiety shot through the roof. Beau, Kylo, and Jett were joined by the entire Agafonov family. He was confused as fuck. He had known Beau would address things whether Fabrice wanted him to or not. But getting the entire family involved in this nonsense was a bit much.