Page 102 of Breaking Free

After throwing that emotional curveball, the minx snuggled against him and closed her eyes. His arms tightened around her, savoring her softness and the way she fit perfectly in his embrace. From the day they met, he’d known she was special, but had only recently come to realize she possessed a magic capable of banishing the gloom surrounding him. How many times had he fought back laughter at her unfiltered reactions? She injected a spark of hope inside him that there was more to life than simply going through the motions. For the first time in a long time, he contemplated a future where he wasn’t alone.

Chapter 25

ON WEDNESDAY, TRISTANcalled about an early dinner before heading to Decadence, and to check to see if she had any foods that were off-limits.

“I can and will eat almost anything,” she told him. “Except anchovies on pizza. That’s just gross.”

Axyl, who was also heading to the club, was happy to be relieved early, until he smelled the tantalizing aroma wafting from the bags Tristan carried in.

“Cassia? And you didn’t ask me?” he exclaimed, seeing the label on the bag and looking crushed.

Tristan clapped him on the back and ushered him to the door. “Just like at headquarters, bud. When it comes to food, it’s every man for himself.”

“You’re cold, Rogers,” he replied. “Be warned, Piper. He’s got latent sadistic tendencies,” he called over his shoulder as Tristan all but shoved him out the door.

She fought a smile as he rearmed the system. “Aw. He works hard keeping me safe. Couldn’t we have spared a little?”

“There is no such thing as little where Axyl Tavares is concerned. Imagine his grocery bill. I heard he bankrupted his parents during a growth spurt in middle school.”

Piper laughed, charmed by his relaxed, upbeat mood. “You’re making that up.”

“I don’t know it for a fact, but I wouldn’t be surprised,” he quipped, a smile threatening but not quite materializing as he unpacked the bags.

Piper sauntered up beside him to watch. “What’s Cassia?”

“A taste of heaven. And it’s light, which is what you should stick to before a big scene.”

“Planning to string me up by my toes, rope master?”

“Not yet. We need to work up to that. Tonight, I’m going to introduce you to something beautiful, but a bit more challenging, with both feet on the floor.” He folded the paper bag and pointed to the containers. “We have cold noodles tossed in a spicy Chengdu sauce, with crushed walnuts, edamame, cucumber, scallions, and blue crab.”

“That sounds amazing.” Suddenly starved, Piper hurried to get out plates and utensils.

“Grab bowls and spoons because I also brought chickpea curry and bread for dipping. It’s so good, it’s life-changing.”

She pulled out two bowls and went back into the utensil drawers for soup spoons. “You’re a connoisseur of fine cuisine. Who knew?”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Piper.”

“You could tell me your story while we eat,” she suggested, then she could have kicked herself because, in a blink, his frown returned.

He didn’t answer to agree or shut her down; he just moved to her glass cupboard. “I’ll get ice water. The curry is spicy.”

Conversation over dinner was sparse, with Piper initiating all of it. Afterward, she escaped to her bedroom to get ready.

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