Page 48 of Broken

Chapter 20

After the meeting broke up and they shut the door on everyone, Ireland leaned against it and blew out a sigh. “That was… a lot,” she said.

Cole, heading for the kitchen, gave her a look over his shoulder. “You’re telling me,” he said. “But I’m not discussing it on an empty stomach.”

“You had about six doughnuts.”

“Pssh,” he said with that little sexy half-grin. “Those don’t count. We need wolf food.”

He opened the fridge started pulling things out of it. Ireland got more coffee, and then perched on a stool at the kitchen island and watched Cole as he whipped up scrambled eggs and fried thick slices of ham. She didn’t want to be critical—especially because her former Protectors would have expected her to cook—but…

“That’s a lot of protein,” she ventured. “I usually eat more fruits and vegetables. It’s a Bright Fae thing.”

He stirred the eggs. “Now that your wolf is manifesting, you need protein. She needs protein.”

Ireland didn’t know how she felt about having an alien entity inside her that needed things she wasn’t sure she wanted.

Cole dished up eggs and ham and set the plate in front of her, with some silverware. “Try this,” he said. “See how it feels.”

It did smell good. “You’re kind of bossy,” she told him.

He gave her that smile again. “Yeah. I saw a cantaloupe in the fridge though—if you eat your eggs and ham, I’ll cut you up some of that for after.”

“Add in some banana and you have a deal. I loooove bananas.”

The sexy grin got a little bigger. “You have no idea how much I want to make an inappropriate remark right now.”

She said primly, “Mr. Hunter. I’m shocked.” She took a bite of ham. Satisfaction flooded through her, as if something inside her had just been waiting for that. Huh. He was bossy, but also possibly right.

He laughed at her remark, knowing she was messing with him. “Yeah. I’m sure you are.” He leaned his hip against the counter. “Do the Fae have a lot of sexual taboos?”

Now that she’d started, Ireland found herself eagerly shoveling eggs and ham into her mouth. She managed to swallow and say, “Other than consorting with Dark Fae?”

“We were taking that one for granted.”

“Then… nope. Hardly any. Sex is healthy and life-affirming.”

“Really,” he said, in a speculative voice. His gray eyes had gone smoky, and Ireland felt a shiver right down her spine.

“Really.” She paused, and then said, “And I believe you owe me a banana.” She drew out the word suggestively.

The smile slowly grew wider. “If you insist.” He held her eyes for a moment, and then turned away to get her fruit for her. By the time she’d finished her ham and eggs, he had a bowl of cantaloupe and banana in front of her, and was standing on the other side of the island eating his own breakfast—a huge mound of ham and eggs.

But the look in his eyes was making more shivers run up and down her spine—and into her lady parts.

When they were finished he took the dishes and put them in the sink, and then came around and perched himself on the barstool next to hers, swiveling it around to face her.

“So, what do you think?” he asked. “About Thanatos’ mission. Do you want to do it?”

Ireland had been waiting for that question. In fact, she’d barely been thinking about anything else—except maybe Cole’s eyes. And possibly his banana.

She raised her gaze to his, hoping she’d be able to read his expression. He could be so closed, like he’d spent years perfecting the ability to keep everyone from knowing what he was thinking.

But at least she’d have an idea what he was feeling. The bracelet would tell her.

“I think… I think I want to do it,” she said. “Assuming there’s any chance of success.”

“Which we won’t know until they have all the intel,” he said. “Are you sure Riker didn’t tell you anything?”