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“We need to prepare the mushrooms, shallots, and thyme. It’s called a duxelles, and we also will be wrapping the beef in prosciutto.”
My mouth watered. “I’ve only had beef Wellington once before, but I think this is going to be better.”
“Oh yes, it is.” Saber stood in the doorway long enough to make the comment and wave before disappearing again.
“Your fan club?”
“One of them.”
Dinner was amazing. Between the four of us, we ate the whole thing plus sides and a layered dessert I couldn’t name but had two servings of. If I wasn’t careful, my curves would make it hard to fit in my favorite jeans. Somehow, I was a little less concerned about that than I had been before.
After Saber and Menace cleared the table, insisting that the “chefs” relax and enjoy a second cup of coffee, I was high on the success, joking with Draven about our next meal and how soon I’d be able to solo.
He stood up from his chair and came to sit beside me, leaning in to whisper in my ear. “You did great, but I hope you’re not ready to kick me out of the kitchen quite yet.”
I turned to face him, about to make a quip, but his lips were right there, so close, then they were on mine in a quick caress interrupted by the return of the other two orcs. My cheeks burned. Had they seen? And was it a problem anyway if they all planned to share me?
Share me! I had been keeping that image at a distance because it was just a tad bit overwhelming.
“Anyone up for a hike?” Saber asked. “It’s dark enough to be safe.”
“Sure.” A little fresh air sounded great. “Do you go often?”
“Not necessarily all together, but a few times a week,” Draven told me. “It’s chilly out there, so you will want a warm jacket if you’re coming.”
“Yes, I’d love to.” I winced, remembering the last time we were in the woods. “And I promise none of you will have to carry me home this time.”
“It was no trouble, female,” growled Menace.
“Nonetheless, I need to learn to keep up with the rest of you if I’m going to be part of the family.”
A concept that grew more appealing by the hour.
Chapter Eighteen
Menace
Ilya spent the morning cooking with Draven again. She liked to spend the mornings with him and had for the last week. They had a language all their own. She and he had gotten into a routine, making breakfast together. It was a marvel watching them, as though they knew each other’s next move.
I’d gone out for more training that morning after breakfast. Now that Ilya was around, I needed more and more to keep my hunger at bay—nothing to do with my stomach. We’d established that she would be the catalyst to anything that happened with us sexually and, so, I waited, but having her here, her caramel scent all around us and our home, had made everything harder—everything. Now, instead of working myself out training in order to calm my mind and body, I did it so that I would quell the need to maul her every time she walked by me.
The way she swayed her hips was enough to drive any sane orc to madness.
After a cold shower, the water chilled from winter temperatures, I stepped out and wrapped a towel around my waist before walking into my room to find Ilya sitting on the edge of my bed.
“I thought you and Draven were cooking up a storm in there,” I said. Gods, I hated when I sounded grumpy, except I didn’t know how to stop it.
“I thought you were training,” she quipped back with a raised eyebrow.
I went through my dresser, getting a pair of shorts, aware that her eyes were on me. It didn’t help that I was covered by only a towel. The tips of my ears heated. They would appear a deeper green. An orc blush.
I turned around to find her leaning back, resting on her elbows, not shy at all about ogling me. “See something you like?” I chuckled. Her scent told me everything I needed to know.
Her eyebrows bunched. She sat up and squinted. “Holy…were those pierced all this time and I didn’t notice?”
I looked down and knew what she was talking about. “Yes. I had other, smaller bars in them. I changed them after my shower.”
Her breaths grew shallower, and she swallowed. Her skin looked so soft, I wanted to put my lips on every inch of her throat—every inch of her.
