“Now, that was a fine meal. No offense to you, Pyke.”
“None taken. Might have to poke around that head of yours, Princess,” he said. “See if I can pick up any tips or tricks.”
I certainly wouldn’t mind you poking around more than that.
The words appeared in my head out of nowhere. I sat up, my eyes going wide.
“You alright?” he asked.
“Fine.” I did my best to compose myself. “Just thinking about Ajax. He might want another round. I’ll take some out to him.”
Without another word, I grabbed a clean plate and dropped a big pile of French toast onto it then hurried out of the kitchen. My face felt hot, and I was beyond embarrassed that such thoughts had gone through my head.
It was troublesome. I’d started the process of mending fences with the guys. Now, I had to worry about what I might start thinking if the five of us got too close.
12
AJAX
Ipinched myself.
The second I’d put down the last bite of the French toast, I placed my hand on my thigh and pinched myself.
It was just so damn bizarre. Why had Victoria done a complete one-eighty within a day? Hell, not even a day. She’d gone to bed her bratty self and woken up a completely different person—one who makes people breakfast out of the kindness of her heart.
Either way, the French toast had been freaking amazing. In fact, as I pushed the plate away all I could think about was going inside and getting another helping.
A knock on the door, however, and a quick glance over my shoulder at who was there and what she was carrying, let me know that wouldn’t be necessary.
“Hey.” Victoria stood there, a small, warm smile on her face and a plate of French toast in her hands. “Just wanted to see if you were in the mood for a little more.”
My mouth watered all over again the second I put my eyes on the food. It took all the restraint I had not to snatch the plate out of her hands and gobble it up like I had the first stack.
“I do believe I am,” I said, reaching forward to take the plate. “But I was just about to do a quick patrol of the place. Might just leave them here as a little something to look forward to when I get back.”
I wanted to know more about this little change of attitude. It was so strange and so damn sudden.
“Say, you doing anything?” I asked.
“Me? Well, I was going to head in and start cleaning.”
I shook my head. “We got a rule in our little group—the one who cooks doesn’t have to worry about cleaning. My guys are probably already getting that kitchen good and spotless. Why don’t you come with me on my patrol?”
Her eyes flashed. It was clear she hadn’t expected me to ask her that.
“Are you serious?”
“Sure. Unless you’ve got something better to do.”
Her surprise shifted into a soft smile.
“I’d love to. Just didn’t think you’d want me tagging along.”
I reached over and grabbed my rifle from where it was leaning.
“I insist. Let’s go.”
I got up and made my way past her, the scent of her sun-blonde hair enough to make my cock twitch. It’d already taken a hell of a lot of effort to look past the fact of Victoria being damned gorgeous. Her piss-poor attitude, however, had made that a little easier. If she was going to be all sweetness and sunshine, I’d have to make sure I kept myself even more in check.