Page 11 of Guarding The Phoenix: Vol. 1

“Not when we’re on the job,” Gideon answered around a bite, whittling our relationship down to just that—a job.

Even though I knew it cerebrally, it didn’t make it any easier to hear when I’d been fantasizing about them.

“Where did you learn to cook?” Chased groaned as he bit into some garlic bread. “This is so good.”

Pleasure spread through me at the compliment. “Before I met Carlos, I was attending culinary school and working as a waitress part-time. I’ve always loved cooking. It settles me.”

“I second Chase’s comments. This is excellent. How are you with Mexican?” Mateo asked with an inquisitive glance.

“Well, I have fajitas on the menu for tomorrow night, so you can tell me how I am with Mexican dishes.”

“If it’s even half as good as the lasagna, I might have to propose,” Mateo teased.

I flushed at his words. I had no intention of getting married again. At least not for a long damn time and not without a prenup, given I was a wealthy widow. But the sentiment behind his words made me feel good. And I hadn’t had a lot of that in my lifetime. So, for now, I was going to bask in the compliments.

Axel rose from his seat with an empty plate. Headed over to the kitchen island and added a second helping, the biggest compliment a cook could receive. On his way back to the table, he said, “It’s good.”

Coming from him, it was high praise indeed. I shot Gideon a blasé look. “You can cook dinner for yourself if you would like. But I enjoy cooking and haven’t had other people to cook for in a while. It’s not like I have much else to do around here other than worry. Cooking keeps my mind off things, which I need right now.”

“Very well. I will concede that point.”

I knew I’d achieved a win. But then, lasagna tended to make men my slave. It’s why I made it. Well, slaves of every man except my deceased husband. I hope that fucker was burning in hell as we speak.

“Good. I made dessert too. So, you might want to save some room for it.”

Four heads turned in my direction with varying degrees of surprise. Mateo and Chase were delighted. Axel appeared stunned. And Gideon looked suspicious. I fought back a smile. Gideon didn’t know it yet, but I would win him over. “Let me just grab it out of the fridge.”

“What did you make for dessert?” Chase asked, eyeing me with interest blazing in his baby blues.

“Tiramisu.”

Mateo and Chase groaned almost in unison. And my lady bits quivered. The four alphas were turning me into a total hornball. Or perhaps I already was one, and they just woke my libido up after being in a coma for years.

Much of my life had been like that over the last four years. I had put so much of myself on hold because of Carlos. Anything of mine, whether it was a pastime or a pleasure for me, he tainted with his anger and controlling, vindictive ways.

Carrying my dishes to the counter, I set the plate next to the sink and the wineglass by the bottle of Malbec. I didn’t want dessert. I wanted more wine.

I pulled the tiramisu from the fridge and got out the dessert plates. “Would you all like a slice?”

“Like you have to ask.” Chase winked, the big flirt.

I cut four generous pieces and carried each one over to the table. While they were enjoying the cake, I started cleaning up dinner. Putting what was left of the lasagna and salad into Tupperware containers, I wrapped the leftover bread in aluminum foil. With my arms full, I turned and almost ran into the solid wall of Axel’s chest.

“Oh, excuse me. I didn’t hear you come up behind me.” For such a big man, he was stealthy.

“Careful, don’t want you to hurt yourself. You cook like an angel, by the way.” He set his plates on the counter before striding away without a backward glance.

It was the most he had said to me. And I didn’t know why, but it made me smile. The way the big guy had looked at me just now, like he wished I was on the menu instead, made everything inside me go buttery and hot. My nipples beaded, and my pussy pulsed. I could only think that my vibrator was getting a workout tonight. Again.

Because these four alphas were turning me inside out. And they weren’t even trying.

What would I do if one of them made a pass at me?

Likely climb them like a tree and enjoy the damn ride.I snorted. Leave it to me to act like a tramp.

Chapter eight

Nightmares

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