I wipe the counter again to do a more thorough job and re-examine the last twenty-four hours. From picking up Leticia inGold Coast to bringing her here, sex, cuddles, having her sleep in my arms, and breakfast in bed, there is quite literally nothing I can think of that would make the last day better.
Footfalls make their way upstairs, and slowly, slightly damp, fresh out of the shower, Leticia comes up the stairs.
“Hello, gorgeous.” I smile at her, admiring the soft blue sweater she’s wearing over a pair of tight leggings. Looking to the living room, I make sure no little eyes are watching before I run my hand along her side and cup her ass.
There’s a soft squeak, and Leticia covers her mouth with her hands. With a little more composure, she answers, “Hello, handsome.”
“The parents are leaving me in charge this afternoon. I have the pleasure of cooking you and Kerrianne dinner this evening.” I smile down at her.
Leticia quirks an eyebrow. “You, cook?”
“I do, in fact, possess the acumen and knowledge of how to cook at least one meal.” I nod with proud definition.
“Mmhmm.” Leticia nods along with me. “And that meal is?”
“Spaghetti.” I smile at her.
“No.” Leticia shakes her head, jaw dropping and eyes wide. “Absolutely not.”
You upset our mate. Fix it.My wolf urges.
“What’s wrong? Do you not like it?” I reach for my phone.Cooking is just following a user guide. I can do that.
“I’m not eating ‘spaghetti’ made by the next generation’s suburban dad and pretending it’s passable. Especially since ‘spaghetti’ is pasta and I’m not sure if you mean bolognese or not.” Leticia shoots me down with accuracy.
I hang my head. “Yeah, that’s fair.”
“But I would be glad to help you make it.” She tips my chin up with her finger to meet her gaze. She has this mirthful glint and a crack of a smile.
My wolf rises to the surface. Wagging his tail, he pressures me to lean into her touch.
I do, and her smile brightens. She doesn’t know it’s an answer, so I verbalize. “Then I’ll be the greatest sous chef ever.”
“Excellent, now show me the pantry. I’ll need a full inventory.” Leticia gestures broadly to the kitchen around us.
Our mood is soured by phones vibrating.
Leticia looks at hers and groans. “It’s stupid Berto. He wants an update for Dad. But he wants to call.”
“You can call.” I nod and gesture toward the back screened-in porch, away from where Kerrianne is reading in the living room.
“What do I tell him?” Leticia whispers, her eyes wide as she holds the phone out to me. “I don’t know anything.”
“That’s exactly what you tell him, you don’t know anything. The only time we talked about my work, it was more about security and that we can see all of our territory with ease. Let them know my parents have a meeting tonight, but you don’t know what it’s about. Just that you’re helping me cook because you don’t want to eat suburban dad spaghetti.” I rattle off ideas for her.
Leticia nods along in understanding.
We step out onto the screened-in porch, and Leticia shivers.
You should have grabbed her a sweater. She doesn’t have fur.My wolf scolds me.
But it’s too late for me to go back.
Leticia makes an exaggerated movement, tapping the Call button. “Berto.”
Her phone volume is loud enough that I can hear without her having to put it on speaker.
Berto talks fast at Leticia rather than having a conversation. “Leticia, what is going on? What have you learned? Dad is six shades of pissed that your updates are so insignificant.”
