"So you are making edible body paint," Archer said as I mixed the chocolate and cream together in the double boiler.
"It seems like ganache would be a little too sticky," I said as I stirred it carefully in the double boiler while the pancakes slowly cooked and puffed in their molds.
"What would you suggest, then?" Archer asked as I pulled out the chilled whisk and metal bowl from the freezer. I poured whipped cream and powdered sugar in and started beating. "I think this actually would be better. Goes on smooth. You can lick it off in one swipe."
"Only one swipe?" Archer asked as I crushed raspberries and folded them into the whipped cream. "It would be better to sit there and work it with your tongue, don't you think?" he asked, scooping up some of the whipped cream and licking it slowly off his finger.
"Pancakes are done," I said, almost dropping the whipped cream bowl. I stacked the pancakes on a plate, layering the whipped cream between the tall, fluffy golden pancakes and drizzling the ganache on them.
Archer took a bite. "Perfect," he said and set his fork aside. Walking around the counter, he pressed me to him. "Thank you for the pancakes," he said, tilting his head to kiss my neck then up to my mouth. I moaned against his mouth and pulled him down to me. "I don't know about you, but I like to have a main course before dessert."
His hands ran slowly up and down my back, sliding over my hips, caressing my thighs. A part of me didn't care if people could see into the café. I just wanted to strip off my clothes so I could feel him. His hand crept up my leg. Suddenly it was all too much.
"Sorry. Can't. Actually have a busy rest of the evening planned. Need to do some painting," I croaked, slipping out of his arms. I grabbed a brown paper takeout box and used a spatula to scoop the pancakes inside.
"But—" Archer said as I all but shoved him out the door and handed him the box.
"Thanks for stopping by. Come back and see us again!" I said and slammed the door, then I ran and hid behind the counter. "What is wrong with me?"
26
Archer
"Ithought you were bringing me a sandwich," Mace said irritably when I walked into the living room.
"Find your own sandwich," I growled at my twin. I was still sort of fried from Hazel. I half assumed that after all of that, I would eat her pancakes then take her upstairs, or ideally take her to my hotel, but I wasn't going to be too picky, and eat something else. But as soon as things became hot and heavy, she slapped my leftover pancakes in a box, shoved them in my hands, and then shoved me out the door.
"What's that?" Mace asked, nodding to the box in my hands.
"Is that food?" Henry asked as he and Arlo ran up to me.
"You guys are like scavengers."
"No kidding!" Josie said. Her feet were in Mace's lap, and he was kneading them slightly. "I think I cooked enough food to feed a battalion, and it's all gone. So if you're hungry, we have nothing here to eat."
"I already ate. Had pancakes."
She gestured to the box. "Leftovers! You know I want a bite." Josie opened up the box and gasped. "These are so pretty! This is a cake not pancakes."
"Did Chloe make that?" Mace asked.
"Chloe's not even here," I said. "Hazel made it."
"The art sandwich girl?"
"She likes to bake."
Josie cut off a huge chunk and stuffed it in her mouth. "So freaking good."
As if they had a sixth sense that there was more food in the house, the rest of the horde of my younger brothers came padding into the room and crowded around Josie.
"You guys are so creepy!" I said, shooing them away. Josie started cutting off pieces of the pancake.
"That's mine," I complained.
"Honestly, Archer," Hunter said, coming into the living room, disapproval clear on his face. "You never exercise, and you eat junk food all day. I think you can share."
"I work out! I just do it at night."
