Page 24 of Loving the Legend
“It’s incredible where it takes your mind, isn’t it?” he asks.
I steal a glance in his direction. My breath catches when our gazes lock.
A second passes, followed by another, and then another. Maybe it’s the refraction of the incandescent lighting that leads to the discovery of brass specks punctuating his irises. The longer I stare, the more the ground shifts, and I free-fall into his depths.
“Mmm, like liquid gold,” I mutter to myself.
“Hmm?” he asks, voice dark like night.
My words die in my throat, and my pulse quickens.
What’s the part of the brain that processes sensory experiences? I aced biology—I should know this. The somatic cortex? Whatever it’s called, something about his energy sends mine into overdrive.
An audible rumble from my stomach rips through the air. His eyes go wide, and we burst out laughing.
He passes me the sweater from off of the bed. “Let’s feed you before you pass out. Here.”
I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans before pulling off my shirt and throwing the sweater over my head. It’s roomier than I wear.
“Huh, you’re smaller than I thought,” he observes, eyeing me like a tailor.
“Yeah, well, we aren’t all giants. It’s all good, though. I get paid to cut up giants.”
“Oh, word? It’s like that? Take care not to be crushed—”
My stomach rumbles again, interrupting his comeback.
“Christ! Let’s feed you—”
“Wait, what’s the gift?” I ask, nodding in its direction.
He rubs the back of his neck. “It’s for you.”
“You didn’t know I’d be coming until a few hours ago.”
“I picked it up a while ago after New York,” he says.
Damn. His thoughtfulness renders me speechless.
“You good?” he asks.
“Y-yeah,” I reply. I clear my throat. “Maybe a little light-headed from hunger.”
“C’mon,” he says, leading the way back downstairs.
I follow him into the gourmet kitchen. The spread is impressive. My gaze immediately locks in on the apple, peach, and pecan pies.
“Sheesh! These look mouthwatering.”
“Thanks. They’re vegan and free of gluten and refined sugar.”
“I read about your clean diet. It’s for real?”
He nods. “I eat organic meat. I avoid processed foods, sugars, and gluten. I limit dairy and alcohol. Man, I’ve unlocked so much energy since I switched to this diet last year!”
“Sid insisted Aunt Lily make your favorite pies,” Kieran says, joining us in the kitchen with Tommy trailing behind.
“Is that so?” I ask, directing the question to Sid. He leans against a wall, facing the three of us with his arms and long legs crossed elegantly.
