AllFreeNovel
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“Stay.”
There’s no alpha command in it, but he may as well have used his bark to hold me hostage because, for a few moments, I can’t move. Despite all logic and the warning bells going off inside my head, I hold his gaze and say, “Okay.”
Seventeen
QUINN
It’s a little early for dinner, but that doesn’t stop Austin from starting. As soon as he begins snapping the ends off the green beans, I know what he’s chosen. It’s a meal the brothers have shared more times than I can count. Blue-cheese-crusted filet mignon with a port wine sauce, mashed rutabaga, and fresh green beans.
“You’re making the Weingard Brother Special?” I shift in the leather-cushioned barstool, eyeing him. “I thought that was something you guys kept to yourself.”
His gaze roams over my face, unreadable and unsettling, before he focuses on his task. “That’s because it’s a pack meal.” He doesn’t look up, and another green bean snaps, the sound so crisp and fresh, my mouth waters in anticipation.
I’ve had Austin’s cooking a few times before, but this is a meal I’ve fantasized about tasting. But why is he sharing it with me?
“Don’t think too hard about it, Quinn. I was going to make it, anyway. There’s more than enough to share.” Austin drops the beans into a strainer and pops that into the sink, rinsing them as he grabs the steamer and a pot.
“Do you need help?”
He side-eyes me. “Do you know how to peel rutabaga?”
“No.” I cringe. “I could get some wine from the wine room? Red wine goes well with red meat, right?”
A little smile twitches at the corner of his lips. “I could show you how, or are you scared of sharp objects?”
No, but I am terrified of being close to him again. “I’ll get the wine.”
His soft chuckle chases me into the pantry and through the next door, which leads to a temperature-controlled wine room. Floor-to-ceiling racks of wine of all variations cover the walls. The wooden floor is stained in the middle, like someone dropped a bottle and couldn’t quite get the stain up.
I breathe in the fresh air and grab my favorite—a Malbec—and a red blend. Pausing, I eye the racks and grab another Malbec for good measure. If I’m going to be tortured by their presence, I may as well be buzzed.
A rich voice filters through to me, and my breath catches.
Brady.
Would it be lame to hide in here until I die? Yes. Yes, it would. Fuck.Okay, we’re doing this. Time to be a big omega. Time to pretend.Bracing myself, I paste on a pleasant smile and return to the kitchen, ignoring Brady in favor of setting the bottles on the counter. “Do you want a glass, Chef?”
Austin’s eyes flick to mine, and for a moment, I fear he’ll call me out for this show I’m putting on, but then he hits me with a smile as he nods, dimples on full display. Fuck, that grin is lethal. Together, their scents remind me of the woods after a fresh rain. Comforting. Rich.
Lovely.
I definitely need the wine. Brady’s gaze is a heavy weight blanketing me as I grab three glasses and a wine opener. I pretend not to notice his attention or the silence.
I fill the three glasses and give Austin the first. “Here you go, Chef,” I tease again, trying to lighten the mood.
His eyes dance with amusement, and he lifts the glass, swirling the wine and sniffing it. Jealousy stabs along my spine. What I wouldn’t give for him to sample my scent like a fine wine. Austin takes a sip, and I tear my gaze away before I stare for too long.
Brady clears his throat and our eyes collide. His are narrowed, a disapproving frown pointed at me. Shit. I nervously chew on my bottom lip, but that only makes him scowl harder.
“Shit, I forgot the port in the car.” Austin washes his hands and hurries out of the room, leaving me alone with the most terrifying alpha of all.
The one who knows my secret.
“What are you doing?” Brady demands.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“You know what I mean. Why is Austin making you food?”
