Page 80 of Knot The Only Onee

Sighing, I kicked off the last bits of dirt and hay before opening the door. I hoped we could add on a mudroom for Lucas when we made the improvements to the ranch.

I should have been inside at Noah's side, but after discovering a few more areas with downed fences, I needed to tend to those before we lost any animals. Noah knew where I was and didn't resent me in any way.

Yet, I still felt guilty that I wasn't there to ensure he was supported. But knowing Elias and Simon, they'd probably already paid off the loan shark or threatened him within an inch of his life and taken care of the entire situation.

A rumble awakened within my chest as the scents in the kitchen assaulted me. Lucas stood before a cast iron skillet filled with oil as he cooked potatoes into fries. I was starving. I hadn't eaten much for breakfast, feeding most of it to Bridget instead.

"Damn cub," I growled as I pressed me against his back. My arm snaked around his waist as my lips ran over his pulse point. I was careful not to disturb his arms or get anywhere near the hot oil, but I couldn't resist touching him. "That sure smells good."

"Back away," Lucas said but made no effort to push me away. Instead, he wiggled his ass against my groin, taunting me.

Little tease.

I nipped at his skin as I backed away, snagging a fry and retreating from the kitchen before he could whack me with his wooden spoon.

I blew on the hot fry and bit into it as I sat in the living room. Immediately, it burned my tongue, and I cursed as I spit it out. "Fuck me."

"Serves you right," Lucas called out, obviously hearing my expletive. "Now, you should get your ass back in here and pass out plates as penance. After you pick up the bit that fell on the floor."

Bridget snickered as she buried her face in Noah's chest. Her stormy eyes sparkled with mirth as she peeked up at me.

"Glad you find it funny, little one." I grimaced at the odd feel of my mouth. "I just burnt my taste buds off. Not a pleasant feeling, I can assure you."

Noah gave me an odd look as if he didn't know if he should be laughing or rubbing it in my face like Lucas had.

"I've done that before." Alena gave me a sympathetic glance. "It really does hurt."

"Ugh," I groaned. "When can I expect them to come back?"

"Do you want the truth?" She asked from the shelter of Xavier's arms.

I nodded.

"Weeks."

"Fuck me," I muttered under my breath as I went back into the kitchen. After I picked up the cursed piece of potato and tossed it in the trash. Still cursing, I worked on getting the table extended out to allow for more room. A difficult task when I was doing it by myself, but I embraced it.

Probably did serve me right for always being so surly.

"You know I was kidding, right?" Lucas whispered as he stopped my whirlwind around the kitchen with a hand on my chest. "You really didn't deserve to get your mouth burned, although you should know better than to take food before I say it's okay."

I looked at him without saying a word.

"I'm trying to apologize." His lips twitched as a smile threatened to take over his features.

"You suck at it." I rolled my eyes and grabbed the plates from the cabinet.

"Well, I am pretty good at sucking." He took the plates from my hands and put them down on the table. Lifting up onto his tiptoes, he gave me a quick kiss. "I can demonstrate for you tonight after we kick Alena and her guys out to their cabin."

"That's not being a very good host, cub." I placed my hands on his hips and brought him in closer to me. "Plus, I'm a little salty after the whole fry debacle."

He scrunched his nose up. "That was on you and not me." He whirled away from me and grumbled under his breath as he returned to the stove.

I rolled my eyes and finished setting up the plates.

"Sandwich stuff?" I asked Lucas, seeing the tray he laid out of various meats and cheeses. "I can slice some bread and get the condiments."

"Please." Lucas grinned as he swirled the metal basket around the top of the oil, gathering more fries to add to the tray lined with paper towels. He sprinkled some salt on top before placing the tray in the oven to keep warm.