“I am cooking for your men. Deal with it.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “And that’s the end of this conversation. Go out there and let your guards know they can eat the banana bread.”
“Banana bread? That’s what you made for them?”
“Yes.”
He snapped his view to the door. “Did I get some too?”
“Of course. You got the biggest piece.”
He put his view back on me. “Why feed my guards?”
“Because Hiro was like. . .if I was going to feedmyguards then I should feedyours.”
“Hiro? When the fuck did you talk to Hiro?” His head jerked back like I’d slapped him. “And hold on. Who’syourguards?”
“The guards that walked with me this morning. They’re mine now. I trust them, and they’re chill.” I pursed my lips.
“So you’re picking your guards now?”
I tried to make my voice sound much more alpha, but instead it came out squeaky. “That’s right. I’ve. . .assigned my security crew.”
“We’ll talk about that later.” He studied me. “Back to Hiro. When the fuck did you talk to my brother?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I’ve got the fucking time.”
“He was in the kitchen. We cooked together and—”
“Whocooked together?” He widened his eyes.
“Hiro and I—”
“My brother?” His mouth opened in utter shock. He blinked twice. “Are you sure it was Hiro?”
“Yes. I’m sure. It was your brother, but let’s get back to your supposed law on no one eating my food. For your information, Hiro is already downstairs eating a full plate. Plus, there's food heading to Reo. And those guards outside? They've been standing watch all night. Don't they deserve something warm?"
"They deserve nothing that's yours!"
"My cooking isn't an object you can own, Kenji. It's a gift. And gifts are meant to be shared." I reached up and touched his chest, right over his heart. "You can't hoard my love for cooking. It doesn't work that way. It will hurt me and I’ll get fucking pissed and resentful. I’ll stop being your fun little Tiger and instead be your bitchy little Tiger."
The fight drained out of his eyes, replaced by something more complicated.
Frustration.
Acceptance.
Desire.
“Kenji. . .I would like you to tell the guards that they can eat their food. I would also like you to put on some clothes, and then come eat what I made for you before it gets cold.” I swallowed. “Please. . .respectfully. . .Dragon King Almighty.”
He snarled a little, but. . .he did just as I said. He walked his naked ass to the door, opened it, and growled, “Eat the fucking banana bread!”
I smirked.
They responded together in Japanese.
He growled back. “Thankher. Don’t thank me.”
