Page 31 of Puck My Life

“I could do it.”

I flinch hard and shove his arm away from me.

“I don’t want someone who has to will himself to want to have sex with me, Malcolm. I want someone who finds me so attractive he can’t keep his hands and eyes off me. Eugh! Enough. Let’s just eat first, and then we’re going to deal with the house.”

I serve up the food, but his words keep going round and round in my head, and I find him watching me in a way I’ve never seen him watch me before.

The smell of food draws Raynor and Deacon to the kitchen. I indicate their seats but otherwise ignore them. It works because the two of them stomp over and sit down.

“Have you ever thought about having sex with Vae?” Malcom asks Raynor.

I spit out a bit of egg and cough until my lungs ache.

Raynor pauses. “Who hasn’t?”

I’m going to kill them.

Mal sits back, chewing pensively on a piece of his omelet. He turns to Deacon.

“And you?”

“Yes, I’ve thought about fucking that bad temper out of her a number of times. In fact, it’s a favourite fantasy of mine.”

“Get fucked, Deacon!” I hiss.

“In your dreams, sweet cheeks.”

I snarl at him. He just smiles back, and I’m annoyed at myself for falling for his ruse again.

“Why haven’t we done it yet?” Mal asks like the question truly perplexes him.

I’m drowning. I’m actually drowning. I thought I’d prepared for any battle they threw at me, but this is a whole new battlefield, and I don’t know how to fight.

Raynor sits back, hooking his arm over the back of his chair, and smirks at me. I keep my burning-hot face down and focus on chewing.

“Because Vae is like family,” Raynor says succinctly. “And one doesn’t fuck family. Don’t you remember what Mama Maria always said? Family is off limits; don’t be dirty little heathens.”

I scowl and stab the omelet with my fork. “Is that what this is?” I mutter under my breath.

“Family.” Mal sits back and studies me. “She wants a kid.”

I pop my head up. “I didn’t say I just wanted a kid, I said I wanted all of it.”

But no one’s listening to me. Raynor is leaning forwards, his eyes fixed on me with a serious expression that makes my stomach flutter.

“The beta wants to be bred?” Deacon purrs. “It wouldn’t be too much trouble to make an exception.”

I slam my cutlery down. “I want someone who loves me!”

“I do love you!” Mal shouts back.

“But you’re not in love with me!” I shriek. “And that’s the difference. It’s all the difference!”

Raynor nods. “I see. You want your fairy tale ending? Love and happy families?”

I pick up my plate and take it to the sink, hunching my shoulders and trying to hide.

Raynor’s arms slide around me, and he presses his chest to my back. “Relax, Vae, we’re just teasing.”