Thalia is seated at the head of the table like she owns this house, her black combat boots kicked up on the table’s top as she rocks back in her chair. The black fishnets climbing up her legs look killer with the black skirt and the form-fitting long sleeve she's wearing. “Oh, come on, Easy Bake! What’s brunch without some mimosas?”
Rowan is propped against the island, scowling with his arms crossed over his chest as he observes our guests with annoyance. “I never agreed to hosting this.”
“Stop calling me that,” Loxley fusses at Thalia before shoving the assassin’s boots off the table and nearly toppling her back in her chair.
The dark-haired woman cackles as she bats Loxley’shands away from her. “Rowan is going to kick us out if we don’t all work together on this. It’s us against him.”
My boyfriend humphs, stewing away as Thalia rallies everyone to chant against him. Before too long, there are fists banging on the table as a chorus of ‘brunch’ fills the kitchen.
“Okay!” Rowan shouts, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You fucking win. I’ll make brunch.”
Cheers ring out around the dining room as everyone gets to work preparing. I was surprised to see my new friends arrive with their arms loaded down with groceries and the bright idea to share a meal together. Rowan was expecting an impromptu visit, but he definitely wasn’t expecting to cook for everyone as Connor offered him a pack of bacon with a smile.
My boyfriend snatches it with a grumble. “You’re all worse than children.”
“You know you love us!” Atlas says with a smirk as he jostles his brother’s shoulders with affection, though it seems a little rough coming from the burly man.
Rowan hardly budges as he rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”
He’s being very aloof and dismissive of his siblings, but I know that deep down, he really does love them with everything in him. I can see it in the way he didn’t put up much of a fight over hosting breakfast, and the safety precautions he lectures them on when he gets a new hit report. He cares far more than he lets on, and it makes me smile as I cuddle up beside him.
“Thank you for doing this,” I lift a hand to his cheek before he turns into my touch and places a gentle kiss on my palm.
“Anything for you, Sunshine.” He grins. “They may annoy me, but I’ve missed this…”
There’s a somber note in his tone that I pick up on in an instant. Rowan is often a loner. He works quietly, and his atmosphere is always tranquil. But deep down, I feel like he’s yearned for this without even realizing.
And I think I have too…
The continuous moving and feeling like I don’t belong anywhere has been a constant in my life. I think I was just waiting for the right place.
Everything is moving so quickly, and I’m falling too fast to catch myself. But that’s okay, because I think Rowan would catch me with open arms. Getting to know him is a gift, and he may not believe it, but he’s a good man. For his blood family and the one he found.
“How does everyone feel about French Toast?” Rowan asks as he pulls a stove-top griddle out of a cabinet. He lays it across the burners before Alana piles everything next to him.
“Pancakes are better,” Connor supplies as he grabs a bottle of champagne and orange juice.
“Too bad,” Rowan smirks. “Addison likes French Toast.”
My head whips around to him, and my eyes narrow on his secretive grin. “How do you know that?”
He shrugs. “I know everything about my girl.”
There are a few love-sick groans around the kitchen as I wrap my arm around his bicep. I lean close to him before whispering, “Stalker.”
He nips at my lips with a love bite. “Yourstalker, Sunshine.”
“Get a room!” Thalia shouts, making laughter rise from the others.
“We do have a room. You all interrupted our morning.” Rowan grumbles, but I see the small grin on his face.
Loxley saddles up beside me, tugging on my arm. “Can I talk to you?” She whispers.
I nod, excusing myself as I drag her to the living room and away from eavesdroppers. “What’s up?”
She instantly goes into worry mode, reflecting my mother’s usual aura as she places her hands on my biceps. “Are you safe? Did you talk to Rowan about moving in with Atlas and me?”
I snort. “Yup. He shot it down.”
