Rejection (The Mate Games 2)

“What are we cookin’, baby?”

“I’ve been assigned pie duty.”

“Mmm, your pie is delicious. I have firsthand knowledge.”

The way his hum of approval vibrated against my skin made me shiver.

“Nope, veto. I’m not slaving away over here listening to sexual innuendos all day. Keep it in your pants, Kingston. The only sausage we’re having in this kitchen is the one I’m putting in the dressing.” Moira’s words were playful, but she meant business.

His lips twitched. “No promises, but I’ll try to stay on my best behavior.”

“What are you doing here? I thought you had plans to run with the pack?” I asked, skimming over the pie crust instructions before grabbing what I’d need.

He shrugged, taking the ingredients out of my arms and carrying them over to my workstation. “I wanted to help you.”

My heart tumbled. “Really? I thought guys usually played football and avoided coming inside until it was time to eat?”

“I’m used to spending Thanksgiving in the kitchen with my mom and sisters.” Color tinged his cheeks, and he ducked his head as he deftly began following the recipe, proving just how much experience he had. “I like cooking.”

My chest squeezed. “Oh, my God, that is so cute.”

He growled and slapped my ass. “I’ll show you cute. Now stop teasing me before I break my agreement with Moira.”

“We wouldn’t want to do that,” I whispered, heat pooling in my belly.

His smile turned wicked. “Definitely not.”

“Definitely not!” Moira called from the sink, where she was busy washing yams.

I stared at all the dry ingredients he’d mixed in a big bowl, and anxiety raced through my veins. “It says to cut in the butter. What is that supposed to mean?”

The low laugh that escaped him didn’t embarrass me; it endeared him to me even more. He pulled the cold butter toward him and began cutting small pieces of the creamy goodness into the flour mixture.

“Use your hands and combine it. You want to get the butter mixed in until it looks like peas.”

I loved this side of him. It was thrilling to know that while he could be this gentle giant, he could also rail me so hard I couldn’t walk straight the next day. I hoped I’d see that side of him later.

We continued to work together, Kingston doing most of the job, until the pie dough was chilling in the fridge.

“Now what?” he asked, looking at me expectantly.

I glanced at the bushel of apples Alek had oh-so-helpfully picked from Ravenscroft’s magical ever-producing orchard the day before. “I think we need to get to work on those. I have a feeling our Viking was making a not very subtle request.”

“Apple is easy. Wash, peel, slice, and cook.”

“The last time I dealt with more than one apple, I almost cut my finger off,” I admitted. “The knife got all slippery.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got this. You wash. I’ll handle the sharp stuff.”

I was no Cinderella, and he was hardly Prince Charming, but damn if that didn’t make me swoon.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I just never expected you’d... I don’t know, be so domestic.”

“What can I say? You tamed me.” He smirked. “Sunshine, this is what life between us is supposed to be like. I’m your mate and your Alpha. I’ll always take care of you. I wasbornto take care of you. I’ll slay your monsters and your apples too.”

“I’m going to vomit,” Moira announced, arms crossed over her chest as she smiled over at us.