“Where are we going?” I asked as we passed the library doors and ventured down a different hall.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
There was an infectious smile in his words, filling me with curiosity and joy.
Eventually, we ended up in front of the quiet kitchens.
It was well past dinner, so I didn’t think we were on a dinner date.
“What…” I trailed off as he pulled me into the pastry side.
Pots and pans dangled above three dark wooden tables that stretched the length of the deep kitchen. At the far table, beside a floor-length arched window, were tiered stands, covered platters, and trays upon trays of desserts and baked goods. At the middle table stood Dorus, her dark hair tied back in a knot and her black kitchen uniform dusted with flour. She finished pouring caramel into a dish, then smiled when she spotted us. Striding over to Ronen, she kissed both his cheeks before handing him an apron.
“Everything’s prepared for you, and I’ve sent everyone home. The kitchen is yours. Make me proud.”
She moved to me, kissed my cheeks, and handed me an apron while my brain tried to make heads or tails of this.
“He’s truly excellent. Took him some time under my tutelage, but you won’t be disappointed.”
Then she left me in stunned silence.
Under her tutelage?
Ronen let go of my hand and put on the apron.
Pretty sure my brain short-circuited.
It was either the fact that Hell’s general wore an apron at all, or that it had cute little wolves decorating the dark fabric.
Humor danced in his golden gaze.
“I’ve been told you don’t know me very well. So I figured I’d change that.”
I must’ve stumbled in my heels somewhere back in the hall and hit my head—hard.
He stepped in front of me, running a tingling thumb across my cheek.
“You still with me, Hellion?”
The humor in his voice weakened my knees.
“Mhmm,” I hummed.
He laughed.
My heart soared.
What the hell was this?
“You want to make some of your favorite truffles with me?” he asked, rolling his sleeves up farther.
“First the necklace, now fancy chocolates? What are you trying to do? Make me fall in love with you?” I teased, trying to brush off how much all this was affecting me.
The humor vanished from his face, leaving me with a serious, resolute Ronen.
He lifted his chin and held my gaze.
“Yes.”
