Page 48 of Burning Ember

“Yeah.” I grab the bowl and head back into the kitchen. I scoop up more eggs and grab some more muffins. I had no idea the guys could eat so much. I’m used to cooking for kids and old people though, so I guess I’ll have to make extra from now on.

As I reenter the lounge through the doors that connect to the kitchen, I hear Taz complain, “Shit tastes like fuckin’ tar. You sure she didn’t dig this shit out of the garbage?”

His words bring back the insults Mav threw out about me yesterday. I’m stunned, but I force my feet to move and I bite my lip.Just ignore it.

Taz is definitely not my number one fan. He’s been giving me the evil eye all morning. But I keep reminding myself that if he wanted to hurt me, he could have easily while I was sleeping.

While I cleaned last night, my mind kept thinking back on Mav, and what went down between us in his office. I concluded he was doing his best to scare me off. How he pushed me up against the wall, frisked me, and then told me to get on my knees. The way he bolted. I doubt he ever planned to let me go through with it.

But what has him so bothered? The idea that I’m possibly a rat for the GBs, whoever they are, or that I’m a reminder of the girl who broke him. Maybe both. I don’t know.

If anything, I’m under his skin.

Good . . .

Because he’s definitely gotten under mine.

Lily and Goose walk in. They take up some recently vacated seats at the bar. I fill two plates and hand them over, getting a growl/groan out of Goose when he takes his first bite.

“Okay, spill it. What in the hell did you do to the bacon?” Rigor asks from down the bar. “It’s never tasted like this when I fry it up.”

“Um, just a little brown sugar.”

In an amazed tone, Lily says, “How in the hell do you get the eggs all fluffy like this? You gotta teach me.”

“Hell, yeah. I’m onboard with that. Lil’ learnin’ how to cook.” Goose turns to her. “I love you, babe, but you can’t cook to save your life.”

Lily slaps his shoulder playfully.

Goose catches her hand, brings it to his lips, and plants a kiss on it before dropping both their hands into his lap. “But you have many other talents, so I’ll keep ya.”

“Shit, man. Lil’ Bird learns how to cook and we ain’t ever gonna see her sexy face. The only reason you guys come up for air is to eat,” Griz teases.

Lily replies, “And he wants to put a fridge in his room so we don’t even have to do that.”

Snickers breakout down the table.

Then suddenly everyone goes quiet and the air in the room changes. Heads turn and eyes shift to the hallway. When I follow their gazes, I find Mav walking in to the room.

My pulse quickens.

Black and gold have never looked so good together, as they do on him. His gold eyes. His inky hair. His tan skin. His black, long-sleeve Henley and leather vest. He’s wearing dark jeans, and the front of his shirt is tucked in just enough to show off his belt buckle.

Mav clears his throat and I look up to his face. One of his eyebrows is arched. Heat flushes my cheeks and I avert my gaze.

He takes a seat at the bar.

It takes everything in me not to steal glances at him. I have to remind myself to breathe evenly. Funny how my body can’t remember to do that on its own when he’s around.

After making a plate for him, I lay it on the bar top in front of him and then gesture to the orange juice. He nods. I pour him a glass and get a muttered “Thanks” when I set it in front of him too.

Going back over to Lily, I say, “Rigor’s going to get what I need to make a roast, potatoes, and rolls for dinner. You can help me if you want. If you have time. It’s real easy.”

“Fuck, I think I’m in love,” Bodie moans.

“Too bad you’re already married, asshat,” Taz replies.

Bodie glares at Taz.