Dirty Chef

“I didn’t see anything.” Justin smirked slightly and headed for the fridge. “By the way, your mom is on her way in.”

I slipped out of Adam’s hold and righted my clothes, all while fighting the embarrassment. We had to talk tonight. Everything was up in the air, and I didn’t know if this was supposed to stay a secret or what.

I caught Adam giving me a pensive little look before he turned to Justin again.

“Thanks for the heads up,” he replied. “We’re saving our announcement for later.”

Oh? Oh yeah? Were we? Announcement of what, exactly?

* * *

Adam had always been a better actor than me. Moments later when we were outside again—cake and coffee served—he was back to messing around with his brothers. Except that he kept a hand on my leg under the table and drew aimless circles along the inside of my thigh.

Isla sent me inquisitive looks every now and then.

She was the only one I’d told. I hadn’t been able to stop myself after Adam pissed me off yesterday.

Isla had been sure it was all a big misunderstanding. I hadn’t directly disagreed with her, but I’d been too upset to question motives. Either way, she’d been right, and I wished I had any concrete answers to give her.

Were Adam and I at least dating?

Surely.

Mannaggia, I needed to fucking chill.

I set down my fork, too full to finish the cake slice on my plate, and slumped back.

“The cake was fantastic, dear,” Alex said. “Email me the recipe later, please?”

I smirked and drummed my fingers along the armrests. “Of course.” It was safe to ask me for recipes. The family knew better than to ask Adam. He was a vault. “Just make sure it ends up in Lola’s hands so you don’t burn down your house.”

“Naturally.” Alex chuckled while the others cracked up, especially Jameson and Lola.

It led to a discussion about how many failed attempts at cooking it had taken Alex before he’d given up entirely. Adam got a few digs in early on, but eventually he quieted down and leaned back in his seat, and he twisted his Mariners cap so the brim didn’t hit the backrest. He mirrored my position with his hands on the armrests too.

I lolled my head along the high back and faced him with a soft smile.

“You needed this tonight,” I murmured.

“I did.” He extended his pinkie to touch mine. Such a small gesture, and yet it captured my full attention. “I like having my family gathered.”

I knew he did. For having been so against kids of his own, he was the most family-oriented man I knew.

And he bought a crib.

Butterflies wreaked havoc in my stomach every time I thought about it.

“You know what I can’t stop thinking about?” he asked quietly.

“What?”

He leaned a bit more and kept his voice down. “My cock between those pouty lips of yours.”

I grinned and let out a breathy laugh, for once managing to remain casual. “Well,” I said under my breath, “it’s your own fault that’s not reality right this second.”

He sucked his teeth and dropped his gaze to my mouth. “That’s not helpful, Alessia.”

He made my heart jump. Just the way he said my name in that warm, rich voice sent my mind straight to the gutter.

“Sorry, that’s not the help I wanna give you,” I replied innocently.

He hitched a brow at that. “Oh yeah? Elaborate.”

Christ. To maintain my front, I couldn’t go into too much detail. His mom and dad were way too close for that.

“Whatever makes you growl my name when you get off,” I whispered.

Fucking hell, the look he gave me. There was so much promise in his eyes that I had to clench my thighs together. I hoped I hadn’t bitten off more than I could chew. I was by no means a prude, but this man had no shame whatsoever, and the ground I stood on was still shaky.

“The things I’m gonna do to you, little girl,” he chuckled darkly. I smashed my lips together and felt the heat spreading through my body. In the meantime, Adam switched back to casual and leaned forward again. “Jamie, I reckon it’s time for some music.”

Jack did a double take at Jameson down the table. “You’re going to play?”

“Oh, it’s been so long.” Elizabeth’s eyes glowed with excitement.

Jameson smirked and rose from his seat. “I sold my soul for a cup of coffee.”

I didn’t know what that meant, but I was on the same page as Elizabeth. Jameson had the most soulful voice, and he was a great guitar player.

“You two,” he said with a pointed look to Justin and Harper, “make sure no one steals my cake—or coffee.”

I chuckled.

While Jameson went inside to get his guitar, Justin and Harper—being the good partners they were—exchanged a single look before they dug in and inhaled what was left on Jameson’s plate.