Page 74 of Cloud Storm

Lancelot takes a couple of steps forward to take my hand in his. I frown at him and he smirks. What in the heck is he doing?

“This is my… she is my Ariel,” he says quietly. “Ariel, this is my friend Adrik Houston and my two siblings, Morgana and Percival.”

They smile and I see the familiar resemblance, the three of them share many features. The same wavy blond hair, stature and even physical complexion, all are slim and quite stylish.

“Now we see why you chose to hide away and not give us proof of life.” Percival winks. “I too would have preferred that my family didn’t show up unannounced.”

He comes forward, taking me in his arms and planting a big kiss on my cheek. Straight away I like him, he seems cool. I can’t help it, I fall for his charm. He’s a younger and more jovial version of Lancelot, but without his short hair and habitual frown. Percival looks really hot sporting a man bun.

“Now I’ve kissed the beautiful lady and got to know her,” he says, slapping Lancelot’s back in a brotherly hug. “Let’s all go out to dinner somewhere, I’m starving.”

“No need to go out,” I say automatically. “The pantry is well stocked and I can fix us all dinner pretty fast.”

Lancelot’s sister seems to defrost with that comment, as she comes forward to greet me.

“Where did you find this marvel?” Percival asks while we walk to the kitchen, being rewarded with a slap on the head by Lancelot. “Ariel, do you have a sister or even a cousin for me?”

“She’s an only child, you idiot. And take your eyes of her. She’s taken already.”

Oh, am I?

They take their seat on the stools Lancelot has at the breakfast bar, while I busy myself wondering what to make, thank God, the kitchen looks perfectly organized. If they’d arrived over the weekend, the story would have been completely different.

“Do you want to stay here with us tonight?” Lancelot asks and my heart stops. Did he just say with us… Implying we are a couple, like a real couple?

“Thanks, but we’re staying with Adrik,” Morgana replies. “Now I want you to tell me exactly what happened with you last week and how this girl became your hero.”

As they settle, I start with the dinner preparations. I’m cooking sirloin tips with onion and bell peppers and my very own version of mashed potatoes. Simple, tasty and fast to make.

While I’m chopping the vegetables, Lancelot organizes a light snack. The scene is so domestic and feels so natural that maybe I should get the fuck out of here. I could so easily get used to this and that’s where danger looms over the horizon.

I have no idea where we are or even what we are. All this has been a whirlwind and I need time to process things.

Maybe I should have one of those spreadsheets that Roselynn likes so much to get my emotions in order.

As if it were that easy.

Percival tells everyone about a couple of girls he met recently and Lancelot lets out a loud laugh. I look at him, sitting there wearing loose pants and a simple cotton shirt, barefoot and disheveled, and I could eat him with a tiny spoon.

He is the personification of the word irresistible. For me, anyway.

“Are you returning to Tucson early tomorrow?” Lancelot asks his brother. “At least stay for lunch with us, and I’d like you to see Ariel’s bakery too.”

He talks about me and my business with so much pride.

Oh, Lancelot, what am I going to do with you and your super charming powers?

I discover Morgana staring at me with a frown that apparently only members of the Hills clan can pull off and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Why does she dislike me so much?

As soon as the food is ready, they move to Lancelot’s modern and tasteful dining room and I go to the kitchen to pour another round of iced tea, and when I close the refrigerator door I find that I’m no longer alone.

Morgana Hills is there looking at me menacingly.

Fucked is what I am. Morgana has a killer stare but I won’t be cowed, so I lift my chin ready to battle.

Troy will burn tonight.

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