Page 89

Chapter 30
Anita
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Location: Ronan’s place
Ronan: Heading back to you. Do you miss me, little snake?
Me: No.
Ronan: I miss you, too.
I smile, and my cheeks flare. I lock the phone, then place it back on the counter. I grab the food from the counter and set it on the island, making sure to move slowly while I do. Dr. Rio informs me that I’ll be as good as new in another week or so. The bruises won’t fade for another two to three weeks, possibly even more, so I’m stuck with a raging blue and black mark going across my back like a truck drove over my back for a while. At least it doesn't hurt. Dr. Rio dosed me with some more steroids and muscle relaxers, so I feel as high as a bird. Which probably explains why I’m placing food out in the bamboo bowls I found in Ronan’s cabinets. I figured we can eat when he gets back from his dealings with Jax.
Idid not cook, I’ll never do that. However, I did have the academy's chefs send food up to his place. Mushroom soup with a side of buttery garlic bread and spinach salad.
I hope he likes mushrooms. “Shit.” My hand pauses over the lid I placed on the bowl. I should've asked, but it’s too late now.
I said I would never cook in this kitchen, but I never said anything aboutsomeoneelse cooking it, and us...eating it together. My stomach twists in a tight knot at the thought. We ate at the hotel together, and yes, I may have made it a bit awkward, but truthfully, I did enjoy his company. I always ate alone or ate something on the go before I completed a mission.
I lay out a black ceramic plate I found in his cabinet. I won’t speak about how interesting it is that he has only two dishes per utensil. It's clear he’s never had a guest up here. He’s been alone, even when he's around other people. Does his family visit? Maybe his brother, are they close? Did he have other lovers before the kidnapping...or after? A clench forms in my throat and my skin flares like I've stepped into a sauna. The thought of that makes me want to claw at my skin and dig out the eyes of any past girls he did have.
Dammit, who am I becoming?
I shake off that twisted feeling and finish plating and setting the food in the middle of his kitchen island. By the time I’m done, everything is set and ready to eat, and I’m tempted to dive in now, but I allow my hunger to subside. Instead of staring at the plates anticipating his arrival, I head inside the kitchen and grab the closest, sharp utensil I can find. A knife. And begin playing pin the finger with it. It's something Eve used to do whenever she got bored. I always thought it was insane, but now look.
By the time I’m on round three, I managed not to stab myself, and the door to Ronan’s place opened with a creak. My focus shoots up, and I stop midway with the sharp end between my pointer and middle finger.
Ronan comes through the door, and I unintentionally suck in a quiet breath through my teeth. My heart pumps harder than before, even when I was playing the risky game.
He drops his black duffle bag and bulky combat coat, searching the room as he closes the front door.
“Oi,” I say, unmoving. Everything in my body seems to have stilled, but the inside is jumping with delight.
Earlier, when he texted if I missed him, I wasn't being truthful in my response. I missed him a lot.