“I just did,” he says all cocky.
“Well okay, you can order someone to do it. That, however, doesn’t mean they will do it.”
“Did you do as I ordered in the bedroom?” He asks as if he’s talking about the weather. It doesn’t escape my notice that everyone has gone quiet again.
“Sabre!”
“Answer me.”
“That isn’t something you just talk about in mixed company,” I chastise getting a plate down and filling it up with what is left of the meatloaf and side items.
“What’s she calling us? Does she not like other races?” Shaft asks, and he is clearly Latino.
“No dumbass, she’s just saying she doesn’t want to talk about how her and Sabre had sex in front of a bunch of men,” Beast growls and I probably glows in the dark. I put the plate down without looking at any of them and go back to the fridge to get Sabre something to drink. I think at this point, I’d rather pour it on him.
“We weren’t in front of a bunch of men,” I grumble, but I don’t think they are listening to me.
“For god’s sake, why? We all sat here and listened to her scream like a banshee as he laid the pipe to her,” Shaft asks and my head jerks up with an unspoken oh on my lips. I can’t believe he said that. I’m rewarded when Torch slaps him on the back of the head.
“Ow! What the fuck is that for?”
“You’re embarrassing, Peaches,” he says looking up at me with a wink and licking some of the chocolate off his spoon.
I guess the boys found the chocolate lasagna. I can’t help but watch the way Torch works his tongue around the spoon and sucks it into his mouth. He’s a really good looking man and, apparently, I’ve just recently found my hormones.
“Peaches!” Sabre snarls and stops my crazy thoughts. I go to him immediately and he pulls me back against his body. “You’ll pay for that later, sweetheart,” he whispers into my ear.
I don’t have to ask what he means—I know. It’s not like I would trade him for Torch, anyway. I was just looking. I reach up and kiss him on the side of his jaw. His five o’clock shadow prickles against my lips. It’s a good feeling. I start to pull away but he keeps me close, anchoring me against him.
“Why does she care if we talk about her having sex? I mean why else would she be screaming ketchup at the top of her lungs? By the way, brother, you really need better safe words. That one is kind of freaky. That’s worse than the time you guys had that red-head screaming cheeseburger and Skull thought…”
This time Sabre slaps Shaft up the side of the head. I don’t mind. I kind of want to join in. His words leave me feeling dirty, wrong even.
“Okay, it’s time for everyone to get out,” Sabre yells and he’s mad; he won’t let go of me. Maybe he can tell that if he let me go, there is a very big possibility that I would go get in my car and drive back to Illinois. Okay, maybe not that drastic but away just the same.
“C’mon Sabre, we haven’t even had any cookies yet,” Keys joins in and they all look at me, and if you could spontaneously combust, well, I’d be doing it right now.
“Get out you fucking assholes. Beast? Have these prospects cleaning out the bathrooms at The Rock.”
“With pleasure. Great food, Peaches. Look forward to seeing you around,” Beast grumbles. I don’t think he can talk any other way. He grabs Shaft and Keys by their collars at the back of their neck and pretty much pulls them out of the room. They’re too busy whining over having to clean bathrooms to do much else. Beast is so big that he handles the large men rather easily.
Torch comes over and picks up my hand and kisses the back of it, despite Sabre pushing him away. “Until next time, love,” he says with another wink.
“Keep your motherfucking hands away from her,” Sabre warns him, but it doesn’t seem to bother Torch at all.
And just like that—we’re alone.
“Sabre, I think maybe you should go, too.”
“Did you mind me?” he asks and I blanch at the words. Does he think I’m a mindless child who will do everything he commands?
“I have no idea what you…”
“Are you wearing panties, Peaches?”
“I…uh…well, no.”
“Good girl. Now let’s finish eating, I’m starved.”
“It’s kind of cold now,” I answer him, wondering exactly what twilight zone I’ve slipped into.
“So we’ll zap it in the microwave. C’mon Peaches, feed your man,” he says walking into the kitchen.
My man? Maybe I have fallen off the deep end. I follow him into the kitchen and help nuke his food. I get a little bit for myself and sit beside him. We don’t really talk, but it doesn’t feel awkward. Something is bothering me, though, so instead of pushing my mashed potatoes around in the plate, I decide to ask him.