“Thank you for bringing it,” I said, making sure the blanket was over my lap. The tunic was long, but I didn’t want to risk Callum seeing my dick since I wasn’t wearing anything beneath it. “I’m sure you had better things to do.”
“It was no trouble. Besides, I’m the only one the captain trusts to enter his quarters when he’s gone. Even more so with you here.” He placed the tray on the bedside table, his cheeks darkening a shade. “You, uh, have… marks.”
“Marks?”
He smiled. “On your neck. Two love bites. Signs of a good night, I take it?”
I adjusted the collar of the tunic to cover them. Freaking possessive men. Which one had given me a hickey? I’d throttle him. Maybe. Possibly. Okay, probably not. Averytiny part of me liked the idea of them placing their mark on me.
“Here.” Callum handed me the mug.
“You’re a lifesaver, Cal.” I took a drink and moaned as that first sip of coffee hit my tongue. The brew tasted better than the previous time, less like toxic sludge and richer with a bold flavor, similar to what I was used to. “Maddox made this?”
“He did.” Callum’s nose wrinkled with another smile. “Don’t tell him I told you, but he purchased the beans from the market early this morning so that you’d have it when you woke. He said the coffee we had here wasn’t good enough for you.”
I glanced at the mug as a pressure filled my chest. “He bought the expensive beans.” The ones usually meant for the nobles.
“He wanted you to have the best.”
But did I deserve the best? I wasn’t so sure. “He didn’t need to do that. I don’t mind the cheaper coffee.”
“You forget he’s the captain of the Second Order,” Callum said. “Believe me when I say he can easily afford it.” His expression shifted to one of admiration—aimed at me. “He’s never been like this with anyone, Evan. The physician hasn’t either. Not from what I can recall.”
My face heated. “I don’t know why.”
“I think I do. You’re funny and kind. You’re also the cutest man I’ve ever seen.”
“Stop teasing me. I am not.”
“You are. Perhaps you don’t see it, but the rest of us do. It’s like you have an inner fire that warms everyone around you. That’s how I feel anyway.” He nodded to the plate. “You should eat before it gets cold.”
“Since you were nice enough to bring me breakfast in bed, feel free to have some too.”
“Oh no. I couldn’t. That’s yours.” Callum wagged his hand from side to side. “Besides, I’ve already eaten with the others.”
“Will you stay while I eat, then? Please?” I blinked at him, going for pitiful innocence. “I don’t want to eat alone.”
Callum expelled a sigh and sat on the edge of the bed. “All right, just stop making that face.”
When in doubt, be cute.It worked like a charm with these men. Damn if I knew why.
“Yay.” I took another drink of coffee—so fucking good—before biting into the jam-filled croissant. Briar had stuffed the pastry with more jam than he’d probably do for anyone else. He knew I liked sweets. And the blueberry jam was to die for; not too sweet and with a slight tartness. “You sure you don’t want a bite before I devour it?”
“I’m certain,” Callum said with a crinkle-nosed smile. He stood back up and grabbed a bundle he’d brought along with the tray. “I brought you a change of clothes as well.”
“More that Gerard outgrew?”
“Yes. He’ll be bigger than me at this rate.” His smile radiated pride. He unraveled the bundle and placed pants and a tunic on the bed. “My mother made them. She’s happy they can still be of use.”
“Tell her thank you for me.”
“I will.” He stepped toward the door, and I smiled when noticing he was still wearing my Vans. They looked so out of place in that world—a lot like me. “Take your time. We’ll meet you outside when you’re ready.”
Once he left, I finished my breakfast—savoring every drink of coffee—and then explored Maddox’s room. Not that there was muchtoexplore. The very few books on the shelf were about warfare, the history of weapons, and one was a book of poetry. That one shocked me. The icy, sneering captain of the knights had a love for poetry. Who knew? I slid it back into place and moved on.
A small washroom connected to the room, big enough for a toilet and a large basin of water. Not quite a bathtub but way bigger than the one in my room. I used it to wash off the grime and then dressed for the day.
I was a ball of nervous energy as I approached the door. How would Maddox and Briar behave toward me? The considerate breakfast was a comforting sign, but they could’ve just done it to be nice. Like a kind gesture to say thanks for the orgasm?
