Page 102 of Crave

CHAPTER 48

ALEXEI

“I thoughtyou liked this place? You order from here all of the time.” I shove a fork full of pasta into my mouth.

I’m not picky about food, it all tastes good to me.

But watching Lara poke at hers makes me wonder if I’m missing something. “Is itder'mo?”

She shakes her head. “No, Alexei, it doesn’t taste likeshit.I’m just not very hungry.”

“How can you not be starving after all of that screaming I made you do this morning?” I grin at her before biting the end of a shrimp off.

The corner of her lip sinks into a frown. “I just don’t eat much.”

I stab a piece of steak and hold it out for her. “You don’t eat enough. You almost fainted on the way to the car. I mean I know I’m sexy—” I run my palm down my chest and circle my shirt with my finger where my nipple sits beneath. “—but I don’t have a habit of making women pass out because of it.”

“I always overdo it,” she scoffs, and takes a bite of spinach for emphasis.

My hand finds the inside of her thigh and my fingers tickle the hem of her panties. “If I asked you to get on top of me and ride my like a bumpy motorcycle, how long before your tank runs dry?” I pick up a sprig of alfalfa sprout and roll it against my thumb. “Three of these wouldn’t last very long. I’m a cross country bike, pchelka.”

Her blue eyes widen before she smiles. “Oh, really? Is that a promise?” Her voice takes on a sultry rasp as she moves her lips closer to my ear. “You think you can go all night?”

“I’m the Enterprise Bunny.” I whisper.

She laughs much louder than the joke warrants. “Don’t you mean “Energizer” Bunny?” she giggles.

I’m confused. “What is the difference?”

“One goes to other planets, the other just keeps going.” She smiles and ruffles her fingers through my hair.

“Then yes, both of those. Next time I get you alone.” I pick up a morsel of chicken from her plate and hold it up to her lips. “Let’s get those engines going.”

The flicker in her eyes tells me she’s switched to doubt.

What is that about? I know her well enough to stop pushing.

“Did you want to come with me to pick up the girls?” I lean back, giving her room to avoid the bite. Instead, I pop it into my own mouth.

“Can you pick them up? I have to get their movie night stuff ready. Then maybe tomorrow night you can show me all your rabbit moves.” Her grin returns.

That’s better.

“Deal. Do you want me to pick up some snacks?—”

“No.” She cuts me off. “I mean, I’ll take care of them.” The worried look pinches the corners of her eyes again.

Why haven’t I noticed this reaction before?

It’s bugging me all the rest of the way through dinner, not that it lasts much longer.

Even all the way home, any time I even mention food she bristles.

After I drop her off, I head to Jax’s first.

Maeve may be younger than Elena, but the two girls love spending time with each other. They bring so much joy to Lara when they visit, but I know they’re also tiring for her.

It’s why I help. I can keep them playing until they’re too exhausted to wear Lara down.

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