some potato-looking things in the oven too. He’s obviously really talented in the kitchen, and I’ve never been so eager for a meal before.
I open my mouth without hesitation, and I don’t miss the feral glimmer in his eyes when he puts the spoon in my mouth for me to taste his next dish. My eyes light up when I taste chocolate—or something that tastes extremely similar to chocolate, at least.
“Ooh, that’s really good!” I exclaim. I hadn’t realized he’d moved onto making dessert.
Before Reule, I’ve never had a man cook for me before, and I’m feeling awfully spoiled right now. It’s making me feel even weirder about this mate thing, and it’s like every kind gesture any of them makes gives me all sorts of butterflies and makes me think I want to be their mate. Which is stupid. I have to keep reminding myself that these moons are most likely screwing with my head.
Caelan chuckles and says something to Audun, and Audun looks up and gives me a charming half-smile before going back to his drawing. After the four of them finished their discussion, they all seemed a little irritable. But then Maalik walked away and started working on whatever the hell he’s doing to the door, and Caelan focused on dinner. Reule picked me up and set me back on the counter, kissed my forehead, and started carrying all of those crates down the hallway. I assume he’s putting them in that room filled with other boxes, but I’m still curious to know what all that stuff is for and why they keep it locked up like that.
Instead of helping Reule or one of the other guys, Audun hopped up on the counter with me and started drawing in the sketchbook I’ve been using. He’s sitting about four feet away from me, and I can’t see what he’s drawing, but it’s surprisingly nice having him nearby. Actually, both he and Caelan are amazing company. It’s fun sitting here with them, even though we don’t speak the same language. I was super nervous when they first got home, and it’s definitely weird and jarring listening to them have a conversation while not really being able to understand or contribute. But so far, the guys have done their best to find ways to make me feel included. I wish I could tell them how much I appreciate that.
I watch Caelan pour the chocolatey mixture into a pan, and I turn to gaze at Audun. He’s seriously freaking adorable, and I’m dying to see what he’s drawing. If he painted that mural on Reule’s ceiling, I know he’s an amazing artist. He’s concentrating so hard, biting his lip, with his dark, curly hair falling into his brown eyes. He has gorgeous, warm brown skin and long, elegant fingers. He has a beard too, but luckily it’s just a little bit longer than Caelan’s.
His eyes flick up and meet mine, and his face breaks out into a grin. Normally, I’d probably be embarrassed at being caught watching somebody so intently. But his smile is infectious, and I find myself smiling back easily.
“Isla,” Caelan sings my name to me this time, drawing out the syllables like I did to him a few minutes ago. When I turn to face him, he hands me the bowl and spoon he’d just used to mix his dessert.
“Oh my god. You’re letting me lick the spoon?” I ask tenderly, shaking my head. “Why can’t the guys back home be like you? This is seriously the sweetest thing ever!”
Caelan doesn’t bother trying to decipher my rambling. He just gives me a sexy little smirk, swipes a finger in the bowl, and sticks it in his mouth. Audun leans over and swipes a finger through it too, and I giggle at them before bringing the wooden spoon to my lips so I can enjoy my pre-dinner chocolate-batter snack.
Reule walks into the kitchen carrying two crates, and he says something to Caelan before setting them down. I peer into them, raising an eyebrow when I see a bunch of fruit on the top. Those crates look ridiculously heavy, and he’s carrying them like it’s nothing. I know he’s a shifter with crazy enhanced strength or whatever, but I can’t help letting my eyes wander up and down his body appreciatively.
He does a double take when he catches me checking out his butt, and he snorts in amusement when I give him an innocent smile in return. I remind myself