“Ok, sure. Make two batches. Knox can be a baby sometimes when he doesn’t have his normal glaze.”
She nods and pulls her arms out from around me and plants her flour covered palm on my cheek.
I huff out a breath, laughing. “You’re going to get it.”
Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she darts around to the end of the counter, hands gripped on the edge, waiting to see what I’m going to do.
“What about me?” Knox asks, walking into the room, grabbing her and dipping her into a kiss. He’s completely unaware of what’s going on.
She laughs when he stands her back up. “That you’re wonderful.”
“Oh. Of course.” He grabs a pitcher from the cabinet and a dozen oranges. “Dude, why do you have flour all over your face?”
I roll my eyes and ignore his question. “Making fresh squeezed orange juice this morning?”
“It’s been a while and we’re up early enough.”
“Sorry,” Everlee mumbles.
“Never! And I mean never! Apologize for that kind of wake up. I feel like nothing can go wrong in this day now. Am I walking on clouds? Maybe.” He looks down at his feet, jumping up and down.
Jax and Callum walk down a few minutes later.
“Good morning, boys,” Everlee says, whipping up some glaze, while I pop the cinnamon rolls into the oven.
“Good morning, dear,” Jax says, walking over to slip his arms around from behind. “What are we working on?” He asks, rocking her from side to side.
She looks over his shoulder and gives him a quick kiss on his neck. “I’m making some sweet glaze with a hint of orange zest for the cinnamon rolls.” Knox looks up from squeezing oranges, so she quickly adds, “But I will have some plain for those who want it. Although I would hopethosepeople would also trymyorange glaze one.”
Knox smiles. “Thosepeople will try anything you touch.”
“What the hell, man? I ask you to try things and you say no and shrivel up into a ball, and she hints at asking you and you’re like ooh la la oui oui mon Chéri.”
“I don’t speak France.”
“France?” I roll my eyes, but Everlee is laughing and Knox just winks at me like it was his plan all along.
“Here. Taste,” Everlee commands, holding her finger up for Jax.
He sucks her finger into his mouth and gives a moan. When she tries to pull it out, he grabs it and holds it in for a second longer, then kisses the inside of her hand, then her wrist, up her arm to her lips. A flush sweeps across her body and I love it. How responsive she is to us.
“Now, now,” Knox says. “My turn.”
“No.” Jax lifts Everlee and turns her away, who is laughing and screaming. She looks so tiny against his broad chest.
Knox tries to grab at her, but Jax deflects and within seconds the kitchen has turned into a game of keep away between Jax and Knox. Callum is standing with his foot and back propped against the wall watching the scene unfold.
This. Today. Is perfection.
Once Jax and Knox naturally calm down and Everlee is free to move about on her own, she walks over to her glaze and dips her finger in for Knox.
When he tastes it, he moans, but then his face contorts.
Everlee laughs again, “Stop. It’s not that bad.”
“I’m just teasing. It’s actually quite good. The orange isn’t overpowering. More like a hint.”
“Such a refined palate you have,” I tease, pulling the rolls out of the oven.
