Page 27 of Infatuation

“Oh, God, you two are disgusting. Can the kitchen be a non-sex part of the house?”

He glanced at his friend. “Get used to it.”

Mal chuckled. “And no, I didn’t put cheese into the eggs because not everyone wants it.”

“My kitchen, my rules.”

“But I’m not giving your boyfriend here any issues. And, remember, I am the one cooking. I won’t make you any.”

“You suck.”

“Well, be glad I’m not going to kick your boyfriend’s ass. Because he knows I can.”

She smiled at her brother then looked at Kade. “He lives in a little world of his own making, doesn’t he?”

“Also, be happy I’m leaving you two alone. Chief and I are going to Mama’s.”

“You’ll get more home-cooked meals there.”

She walked over to Kade, then as if it was the most natural thing to do, slipped onto his lap. He hesitated, his chest tight at the simple gesture, and slid his arms around her waist. Chief came in next, clean-shaven, looking like he was ready to report to duty.

He gave them a disgusted look. “I still think you would be better off with me.”

She laughed at that. “I’m sure you do. I need to get dressed because I have paperwork to get done.”

“I thought you had off for the next few days,” Kade said.

She nodded. “I forgot I have to get the schedule set up and the time sheets processed. I’ll be back and there better be cheese in those eggs.”

After she gave him a quick kiss, she said, “You can come with me today, but it would be really boring.”

He wanted to go. He wanted to be anywhere she was. For some reason, he felt a desperate need to be in the same room as her.

The moment he thought it, he felt funny, as if something was clutching at his throat. Immediately, he backed up from that thought. They had little time together, but he needed some space. “I think the guys and I are going to go over to your mama’s for lunch, or that was the plan yesterday.”

Mal nodded. “Mama will be pissed if I don’t bring her favorite boy.”

She sighed. “Fine, abandon me for an older woman who can cook better than I could ever dream of. See where that gets you.”

She slipped off his lap and went to get ready.

He rose to fill his cup when Chief said, “You know if you fuck this up, McKade, there is a good chance that after Dupree finishes with you, I’ll kick your ass.”

“You could try, Chief,” he said cheerfully, feeling somehow lighter. He filled his cup then looked over Mal’s shoulder. “Seriously, mate, you better put some cheese in those eggs.”

“Shit.”

“You better get something to drink, Francis,” Anna Louise Dupree said. He did as she told him, enjoying the homemade strawberry lemonade more than he would admit. Other than his mother, she was the only person who could get away with calling him by his first name. “And don’t you worry. We’ll put some meat on you this week.”

He loved her as if she was his own mother, and sadly, he had a better relationship with Mal’s mother. Closer. Where Jocelyn had taken after their father in looks and temperament, Shannon was her mother through and through. Her mother was average height, delightfully rounded, and so full of joy, you couldn’t help but smile at her. She had taken him under her wing the moment he’d shown up with Mal several years earlier. His parents weren’t bad people, they were just distant. His sister wasn’t much better, not now, especially after her divorce last month. It was their nature. Their work in the field of nuclear energy was important to them, and it was the focus of most of their energy. So, when Anna Louise had hugged him like he was a long lost relative, he had beenslightly overwhelmed. And, he had fallen in love with her by the end of the weekend.

“When are you going to run away with me?” he asked as he always did.

She laughed and for a moment, he could hear Shannon. They were so much alike…except for the cooking. Her green eyes danced with merriment.

“Oh, you devil. Don’t let Sam hear you, or he’ll beat you up.”

He snorted. “I can take your husband on.”

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