“Marco,” she hissed. “We didn’t even talk to him.”
“You said you didn’t like him. I wasn’t going to drag it down any more than I needed to.”
She glanced over shoulder back at the entryway. “I feel bad that he drove all the way here and he didn’t even get to step into the house.”
I laughed and maneuvered Royal over to one of the stools at the kitchen island. “Apollo will make sure Dr. Slang is compensated for his time.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Slang?” She slid onto the stool, and I moved to stand between her legs.
“Yeah.”
“I’m more okay with not talking to him,” she laughed.
I draped my arms over her shoulders, and she wrapped her arms around my waist. “Did you eat?”
“Yes.” She pressed a kiss to my lips. “Though I wouldn’t mind having a piece of cherry almond bread.”
“Bristol,” I called.
“Marco,” Royal laughed. “You didn’t need to holler for her.”
I shrugged and pressed another kiss to her lips. “She likes to cook, remember?”
“Hey,” Bristol called. Her hair was piled haphazardly on her head, and her apron was crooked.
“You okay?” Royal asked.
Bristol waved her hand at us. “Of course. I was just, uh, inventorying the freezer in back.”
I tipped my head to the side. “Is th
at so?”
A bang sounded in the staff quarters, and Bristol jumped. “Uh, I must have left the freezer open.” She straightened her apron and pasted a smile on her face. “What can I get you guys?”
Something was off with Bristol. We had discovered that she didn’t do well under pressure, and I had to wonder what kind of pressure she was under while inventorying the freezer.
“Uh, is there any cherry almond bread left?” Royal asked.
“Of course,” Bristol chirped. “Let me just get you a slice. It’s in the back pantry.” She flitted back into the staff quarters.
“Something is up with her,” I mumbled.
Royal leaned to the side and tried to look down the entry way she had walked through. “You are so right, Marco. What do you think she was doing back there?”
“You mean who was she doing back there?”
“No,” Royal gasped. “You think she was fooling around with someone?” Royal leaned heavily on her chair and pressed her body against me. “Who do you think it is?”
The house was full of possible people. “Uh, anyone of the Knights who doesn’t have an ol’ lady, or even Murphy or Princeton.”
Royal pressed her breasts against my arm in hopes of catching a glimpse of Bristol and her possible mystery man. “Or it could have been a she,” she suggested.
“You think?” I tried not to focus on the warmth of her body pressed against me.
“Well, yeah. I mean, it wouldn’t be any of the ol’ ladies, but it might be one of the other staff,” Royal whispered.
I couldn’t focus anymore. Not with Royal so close. I slipped my arm around her shoulders and gathered her in my arms.