Page 79 of Reaper & the Lioness
Eva blinked. “Is it that big of a deal?”
I clenched my jaw in irritation. “Yes, it’s a big deal. You don’t break linguine noodles in half. Why don’t you go drink some wine and wait for your friend on the front porch?”
Eva giggled. Despite my annoyance, I found the sound endearing. As she turned to leave, she reached over the cutting board and swiped a handful of freshly shredded parmesan. She popped it into her mouth with a mischievous grin.
“You goddamn food shark!” I yelled and swatted her ass with the wooden spoon sitting on the countertop. “Get out of here.”
She laughed and sashayed out of the kitchen. Hawk trotted at her heels with hope for cheese crumbs. I groaned and got back to cooking. I loved her, but I was considering banning her from the kitchen.
Kenna proved just as fiery as I’d expected when she joined us for dinner. After a few glasses of wine, she became even more lively. Her eyes sparkled as she and Eva shared stories and memories.
“How did you and Eva meet?” I asked, curious about the friendship between these two strong-willed women.
Kenna grinned. A hint of nostalgia colored her expression. “We were rivals. Both majoring in PR. Neck and neck every time a professor had a friendly competition. Both vying for the best internships. Honestly, I hated her.”
Eva chuckled. “The only person I know who is more competitive than me is Kenna.”
Kenna continued her story, leaning forward. “A professor paired us for a class project, and we became allies. We were strong on our own. But together? We became a fucking force to be reckoned with.”
I could imagine it. Eva and Kenna in their twenties, planning their careers, plotting to take on the world with their combined ambition and talent.
“So, Reaper, when will you ask Eva to marry you?”
I choked on the sip of beer I’d just drunk. The liquid burned as it went down the wrong pipe. Coughing and sputtering, I tried to regain my composure while Eva patted my back.
“Jesus, Kenna,” Eva chided. “You can’t just drop bombs like that.”
Kenna shrugged. “What? It’s an honest question. Now that I see you two together, it’s crystal clear to me. Eva, I’ve never known you to be so in love.”
“Fuck me,” I rasped. I attempted to clear my throat, but my eyes were still watering.
Eva’s hand remained on my back as it tensed. We hadn’t discussed marriage yet, and now her best friend had caught me off guard.
“We, uh … we haven’t really talked about that,” I admitted, glancing at Eva.
Her cheeks flushed, but whether from embarrassment or the wine, I couldn’t tell.
“Oh, come on,” Kenna pressed, leaning forward. “You’re telling me that you gave her your property patch—which is patriarchal as fuck, by the way—and let her customize this Barbie dream house, and you adopted a dog together, and you’ve not thought about putting a ring on it?”
I found myself in the hot seat, caught between Kenna’s relentless questioning and Eva’s uncertain gaze. I had thought about it. More than I cared to admit. But my world didn’t exactly lend itself to white picket fences and happily-ever-afters.
Eva groaned. “Seriously. Let’s change the subject.”
I caught Eva’s eye and brushed my hand over her thigh under the table. We had a lot to talk about, but not now. Not in front of her best friend. I wanted to claim every piece of Eva, and I'd even had Linc stalk her online shopping browsing to see what style of jewelry caught her eye. Last week, she'd clicked on a few vintage pieces with colored gemstones. I'd already decided I wouldn't give her a traditional diamond, but my plans were murky beyond that.
“Okay, fine. So, tell me about the Lone Star Mavericks,” Kenna demanded. “Eva tells me you’re one of its leaders.”
I paused as I considered how much to reveal. “It’s part brotherhood, part business. We’re a tight-knit group that shares a passion for motorcycles and the freedom of the open road. As for the business side, we have our hands in various ventures—some of which Eva has supported. But at our core, we’re about loyalty, respect, and taking care of our own.”
Kenna poured herself another glass of wine and took a long sip. Her gaze didn’t waver. “It was nice of Merrick and Hatchet to help today. What exactly do they do for the club?”
I shared a glance with Eva. They typically handled the … less palatable aspects of club business.
“Merrick is our sergeant at arms. Hatchet supports him as our enforcer. Essentially, they maintain order and provide protection when needed. Enforce the rules. Generally, they just get shit done.”
Kenna leaned back and swirled the wine in her glass. The intelligent spark in her eyes told me everything I needed to know about her. She wouldn’t press me, but she’d certainly do her own research tonight.
“We’re planning to go to the club tonight for drinks, if you’d like to join us,” Eva said. “It would be good for you to meet some clients.”
