“I’m glad you’re making me plain scrambled eggs while I sit on the counter next to you and steal all your bacon.” She grinned and crunched another piece.
“I’m keeping track. Those two pieces are coming out of your bacon allotment.”
“Or I could just command you to give me your bacon,” she said sweetly.
Knox laughed. “She-Cat. I’m submissive in the bedroom only. Out here? I’ll take you to the mat over bacon, baby.”
He buttered the toast, dished up their plates, and divvied up the bacon. Then he insisted on feeding her. Which was sweet and funny and intoxicating and just so . . . Knox.
Afterward, he cleaned up.
Shiori was ogling his ass, wondering how long he’d last in a game of blow-job torture, when he spun around and leveled that stare at her. “What?”
“You do realize you made a devious chuckle that had my balls shriveling with fear?”
“I wasn’t aware of that.”
“The hell you weren’t.” He stepped between her knees and tugged her to the edge of the counter. “Will it startle you into dialing your car service when I say I want to hang out with you like a normal couple today?” He smoothed her hair down with his hands. “Watch a movie or TV or go for a drive.”
Four loud raps sounded, followed by the squeak of the door opening and a feminine voice yelling, “Knox? I saw your truck outside, so I know you’re home.”
He swore and headed to intercept his houseguest. “Vivie. What the hell? Since when do you just walk into someone’s house?”
“Fair game when the homeowner was stupid enough to leave the front door unlocked,” she retorted. “And why are you half naked?”
Jealousy gnawed at her even when she couldn’t see Knox’s visitor. Too bad she couldn’t drop to the floor and slink into the bedroom.
“Vivie, you’re a shithead,” another female voice said. “I told you to wait until he answered the door before you barged in here.”
“Shut it, Zara. He’s speechless because he’s so happy to see us, huh, bro?”
Bro?
“Does Mom know you two drove into the city?”
“Yes. We learned our lesson last time.”
Knox snorted.
“Omigod. Who is that?”
And . . . she’d been spotted. Shiori hopped down from the counter and did up the two buttons on the shirt before she turned around.
Knox took her hand and pulled her forward. “These are my two little sisters. Vivie”—he pointed to the tall blond girl—“and Zara.” He pointed to the other tall blond girl.
They really were a family of Vikings.
Vivie offered her hand. “Nice to meet you . . . ?”
“Shiori Hirano. Knox and I work together.” Why had she qualified it?
“I knew it!” Zara said with a smug smile. “You’re the one who knocked Knox on his butt the first time you met because you outrank him.”
She looked at Knox, shocked that he’d told his sisters that story. “Yes, technically I outrank him, but he’s still considered the highest belt level besides Sensei at Black Arts.”
“I can’t believe someone so little threw down a guy your size, bro.”
“Me either. Don’t let her size fool ya. She’s packing mean.”
“So are you guys dating?” Zara asked, her gaze winging between Knox’s bare chest and Shiori wearing only Knox’s shirt.
“Yes,” Knox answered without hesitation, “Shiori and I are involved, but we’re keeping it on the down low since we work together.”
“Wait a second.” Vivie’s brow was furrowed. “You’re Ronin Black’s sister?”
“Yes. But don’t hold that against me.”
“Ronin is like—”
“The hottest guy we’ve ever met in person,” Zara finished. “He’s just so—”
“Perfect,” Vivie finished.
“Well, I think your brother is the hottest guy I’ve ever met,” she said.
Knox kissed the top of her head.
“He’s not bad, I guess, for an old guy,” Zara teased.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Knox said dryly. “And Ronin is three years older than me, so there.”
“None of that PDA crap when we’re at the mall today, okay?” Vivie said.
“Mall?” Knox repeated.
“Why do you think we’re in Denver?” Vivie poked him in the chest. “We talked about this, remember? My senior social? I need a dress?”