That was my chance to get a word in. “Why don’t you take a seat?” I gestured to one of the chairs at the island with my spoon. "It's almost done."
Her brows furrowed for a moment before she nodded. Piper slipped into the chair next to my brother, leaving the one on the other side of her open.
Perfect. It's like she was made for us. She automatically always tries to include all of us. I wasn't even sure she knew she was doing it.
Piper seemed at a loss for words. Her fingernails tapped on the island countertop as she rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. I stirred the pan of sauce with one hand while keeping an eye on her.
After a moment of us just staring at one another, she placed her hands on the counter and moved to get up. "I'm going to get a drink."
Drake was up and back in his seat with her usual beverage of choice, a can of coke, sitting in front of her before she even closed her mouth.
Mouth slightly agape, she blinked a few times before taking the can. As she cracked the lid open, Piper nodded toward Drake. "Thanks."
"My pleasure." Drake beamed, leaning on his hand to watch her.
I wanted to throw something at him. If my twin didn't stop staring at her like she was some kind of goddess, he was going to freak her out and ruin this for me. I couldn't have that.
"Drake," I stated with a stern tone, "don't you have that thing you need to attend to?"
Drake didn't even glance my way. "What thing?"
I resisted the urge to groan my frustration. "You know, the thing you were going to do that isn't in the kitchen?" I eyeballed him and let out an awkward chuckle as Piper surveyed us.
My twin finally stopped staring long enough to realize what I was trying to tell him. He dropped his arm and abruptly stood.
"Oh. Yeah. That thing. The thing that's in the..." He looked to me for guidance before finishing. "... garage. In the garage." He backed away from the island, gave Piper a small wave. then gestured to the back door with his thumb. "I'll just be in the garage. You know. Doing my thing. Uh. You enjoy your dinner. Al's a great cook," he added with a swing of his arms as he walked backward to the back door. "You're gonna love it."
"Thanks, Drake," I said with a shake of my head.
Piper glanced toward the door my twin just went out and then back to me before letting out a little giggle. "What was that all about?"
I lifted a shoulder and tried to play it off. "I'm his twin, not a mind reader. You'll have to ask Rayne about that."
My words made her clam up pretty fast, and I worried I'd said something wrong. However, before I had a chance to mention it, my timer went off. I turned back to the stove and twisted the knob for the burner before taking the sauce off it. I pushed a button on the oven and grabbed my oven mitt, pulling the garlic bread from the inside of the oven.
"Oh, God. You made garlic bread too!" I grinned over my shoulder to see her half-collapsed on the island with hungry eyes. "You're trying to fatten me up, aren't you?" She sat up abruptly and arched a brow. "This had all been some elaborate game to get me big and fat so you guys can eat me."
Dirty thoughts came to my mind immediately, and I had to turn my back so I could adjust myself. "Uh. Not in the way you mean."
Piper made a small sound of confusion before letting out a long oh. Her arousal spiked, the scent hitting my nose like a punch to the nuts which in turn made my current condition even worse. I cleared my throat and busied myself with getting the bread cut and the noodles and sauce combined. All the time, I prayed to whatever God there was that I didn't embarrass myself.
"So, where's everyone else?" Piper asked, finally killing the awkward silence.
I fixed her a plate as well as my own and prepared myself as I pivoted back around. "They're around." I placed Piper's plate in front of her before sitting down in the chair my brother had vacated. I didn't dig into my food right away. Instead, I waited to see Piper's reaction.
The little maid had no qualms about eating what was in front of her. Her mouth was already stuffed full the moment I sat the plate down. I couldn't help bit grin as she inhaled my spaghetti like she hadn't eaten in years.
After a moment, Piper realized she was being watched. She swallowed what was in her mouth and flushed with embarrassment as she turned to me. "Uh. It's really good."
I beamed at her. "Thanks."
Piper didn't seem to know if she should eat or not, so, to show her it was alright, I twirled a bit around my fork and stuck it in my mouth. Satisfied with my actions, Piper continued to eat but this time with a bit more care as if she were conscious of me watching her.
"So, you cook often?" Piper turned her head my way before taking a bite of her bread. Her eyes closed briefly, and I swore she let out a little moan that was doing nothing for my hard-on for her.
"I used to.” I nodded and shifted in my seat. “Not so much since I became..." I trailed off, not knowing how exactly to describe why I stopped.
"A vampire," she finished for me with a small smile, not at all bothered by what I was.