“Well, he pulled his head out his ass and told you. In the end, everyone wins.”
That was the only part of this conversation I couldn’t argue with. “What are you two doing today?”
“We’re meeting with a rogue group of soldiers from Greece. In order for us to get intel on Bones we need to spread the perimeter and bring more people on board. Crow and I have put a halt to both of our businesses to focus on this.”
I was relieved by the announcement. Maybe when Bones was dead I wouldn’t have nightmares anymore. Maybe we could all move on and leave the past where it belonged. “I’m sure we’ll get him.”
“Definitely. When my brother puts his mind to something he always succeeds—especially when it concerns you.” He adjusted his cuff links and glanced at the top of the stairs to search for his brother. “Running late today, huh?”
“We may have gotten distracted…”
He grinned then gave me a gentle nudge in the side. “Please tell me you have a sister.”
“Nope. And if I did, I wouldn’t let her anywhere near you.”
He chuckled and pulled away. “That’s probably for the best. At least you’re getting a brother.” He winked.
Crow and I never talked about marriage. The last time it came up he said it wasn’t on the table and I said the same thing. He confessed he loved me and wanted me to live with him. But I knew that was as far as our relationship would go. Maybe it wasn’t everything I wanted, but I would settle for what he’d given me. “I don’t think that will ever happen. But you feel like a brother anyway.”
“You really think so?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. “My brother is head over heels, in case you didn’t notice.”
“As am I. But he’s not the marriage type.”
“I don’t know about that…he says a lot of things.”
“I think I know him a little better than you do.”
He grinned from ear to ear and actually laughed. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.”
Crow finally came down the stairs in a midnight back suit and a white collared shirt. The tie he’d chosen for the day was deep purple. The colors he chose always accented his dark exterior and brought out his mocha eyes. He adjusted his cuff links just before he reached us. “Ready?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe.” Cane turned his back and headed to the door to give us some privacy.
“I’ll see you when I get home.” His arm moved around my waist and he gave me a soft kiss on the lips.
“Okay. I’m making mac and cheese for dinner.”
The corner of his lip rose in a smile. “I’ll make sure Lars makes something as a backup.”
I slapped his arm playfully. “Don’t diss the mac and cheese until you’ve tried it.”
“Diss?” he asked. “Another American slang word I’ll never understand.”
I slapped him again. “Stop picking on me.”
He grabbed my wrist and yanked me into his chest. His voice suddenly turned serious. “I’ll pick on you all I want—because you’re mine to pick on.” He kissed me hard on the mouth and nearly bruised my lips before he abruptly pulled away and walked off. His powerful shoulders moved as he headed to the front door where his brother was waiting. Even his ass looked nice in his slacks.
Winded and slightly out of breath, I began the countdown until he would return.
***
I stood at the stove and stirred the contents of the pot.
Crow leaned against the counter behind me, his arms crossed over his chest. “Maybe I shouldn’t have given Lars the night off…”
“Oh shut up. It’s good.”
“I’m not even sure where you found it.”
“Lars has his ways.” After the powdered cheese and butter was melted, I poured the contents onto two plates.
Crow eyed it, his appetite still dormant. “Anything with powdered cheese can’t be edible.”
“Stop being a pretentious douchebag.”
His eyes narrowed immediately. “What did you just call me?”
“You heard me.” I dropped a fork in my bowl and did the same to his. “Now clear your mind and give it a try.”
He eyed the bowl without touching it. “How is your body so fucking sexy when you eat shit like this?”
“Goddammit, Crow. Just try it.” I held the bowl close to my chest and took a bite. “Yum…” The cheesy goodness was incredible. The Italian gourmet food that was cooked for me around the clock was delicious but sometimes junk food hit the right spot.
He sighed before he pulled the bowl closer to him. Hesitantly, he scooped the noodle onto his fork then brought it toward his lips. He faltered for an instant, dreading how bad the food would taste or how much it would suck to admit I was right.
“Come on. Or do you I need to feed you?”
“We could smear this across your naked body. I’d definitely eat then.”