tired. What do you want? Images of an insane spread of food appeared in my head.
For a guy who’s so tired, you are certainly projecting a lot. It was impressive but a bit of a waste. How about keeping the magic to a minimum? Use it when you need it.
Yes, sir. Killian was teasing now. Bossy.
When you command people, it’s princely. When I do it, I’m bossy. Nice double standard. You know, in the human world, it’s the twenty-first century.
Ohhh, burn, Flynn replied.
Enough! Ronan’s voice overwhelmed all of us. We’ll be there with food soon, Imogen. And the rest of you—she’s right. Save it for when we need it.
And with that, they were gone.
No way. There was absolutely no way that Ronan had agreed with me. I pinched my arm to make sure I was awake. “Ouch.” I’d pinched too hard, but I was definitely awake.
Huh. How about that?
Not too much later, there was a knock on the door. It opened, revealing the three brothers and armloads of food.
“Please tell me you’re going to have some too.” They filed by, and I caught a glimpse of all sorts of treats. Ronan carried desserts, and I went to him first. “Gimme, gimme, gimme.” Cake and fruit and cream and chocolate. I wanted all of it.
“Let me set it down,” he muttered, but I was too quick for him and snagged a bowl from the tray with all of the desserts.
Settling myself back on the bed, I dug in with my fingers until someone shoved a spoon under my nose. I glanced up to see Ronan scowling at me. “Thanks.” I spoke around a mouthful of cream and didn’t even care that he probably saw most of it.
He lifted his eyebrows, and for a second—just a second, mind you—I thought he might have lifted one side of his lips. I blamed what I did next on that half-smile. I took a dollop of the cream on my finger and booped him right on the nose with it.
And then I froze.
“I must have a death wish.” My mouth was still full, so it came out as, “Imuthhafadeafwih.” From the silence that suddenly descended, everyone was in agreement.
Ronan stared at me, eyes wide, as he wiped the cream from the tip of his perfect nose and licked it off his finger. I watched that finger like my life depended on it and swallowed hard, my mouth dry despite the next bite I shoveled in. Apparently, not even certain annihilation kept me from sweets.
Turning slowly, Ronan set down the tray. As he spun back to me, I took another two bites. If this was where I met my end, I’d go with a full stomach.
Reaching behind his back, probably to link his fingers to keep from sending me through the wall, he shook his head when Flynn whispered, “She looks like a squirrel hoarding nuts.”
Ronan took a step closer, and I took another bite.
Killian slid his tray next to me and stepped between us. “Calm down.”
“It was a joke,” Flynn added.
A sigh blasted from the big man. “I’m not going to hurt her. Move, Killian.”
“Ronan…”
There was a shuffling sound, and Killian barked a laugh. “Okay.”
The next thing I knew, Ronan knelt in front of me, spoon held at the ready to dig into my treat.
I parried his spoon like I would a sword. “Back off.”
He tried again, and I swiped down with a cutting motion.
“Nice move,” he allowed.
“Thanks.”
We stared at each other, spoons held at the ready. I fixed what I hoped was a fierce look on my face—a don’t-mess-with-me face—but Ronan ruined it by saying, “You look like an angry kitten.”
“No, I don’t.” I placed the spoon on the tray, and Ronan took the opportunity to scoop a huge bite into his maw.
“Yes, you do.” He sprayed bits of cream and cake onto my face, and I wiped it with my sleeve.
As I did, I happened to glance at the other brothers.
“What is happening right now?” Flynn asked, barely moving his lips to speak.
“I have no idea.” Killian took a bite of an apple and shook his head. “I’m frightened.”
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my spoon again. “Fine. We’ll share.”
We ate the rest of the dessert in silence, our chewing the only sound in the room. Every so often, Ronan and I made eye contact and stared at each other blandly. It was as if, without discussing it, we’d declared a cease-fire over dessert. It wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable. The air between us was