Page 58 of Born of Ice

Then why all of a sudden, am I questioning it? Questioning whetherI couldpossibly get out of it…

“Breakfast is ready,” Exton hollers from the kitchen just as I wheel out of the bathroom. Hot shower and clean clothes does wonders to one’s wandering thoughts.

It puts them back in their rightful place. The actual reality I live in, not what ifs.

“You know you don’t have to cook for me. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” I say as I round the corner and see his half naked form flipping something on the stove and I let out an internal sigh.

Stella just had to find an extremely hot babysitter, didn’t she?

“Mm-hmm, I’m sure you mastered the complex recipes of water and air for breakfast, lunch and dinner.” I stall, unblinking, but he keeps going. “Oh, yes, I’m well aware of your scheme,” he says, walking toward the small table with two plates of sweet-smelling pancakes. The scent of melted butter, mixed with true Vermont maple syrup making my stomach growl and I glare at it.Traitor.

“Sorry to break it to you, but your whole ‘I’m going to starve myself to death’ idea won’t work on my watch.” He walks back to the counter, grabbing two steaming mugs of coffee. “Now, move over here, please.”

When I just keep staring at him without making any attempts at wheeling over there, he lets out a loaded sigh, rolls his eyes and strolls up to me.

Before I have the chance to even consider what he intends to do, I’m in the air. Once again being carried in his arms.

“Are you missing your gym practices that much that you keep carrying me?” I finally manage to ask, and he gives me a bored look, but something about it feels weird. Fake.

“Yeah, that’s exactly it.” He dumps me into the chair and walks over to his. “Now, open your mouth like a good girl and eat this delicious pancake.” Exton spears a small piece with his fork, the maple syrup dripping down it as he holds it up and I realize he’s dead serious.

He intends to hand-feed me because he somehow realized I don’t eat much by myself.

“You know, I can always resort to holding your nose long enough that youwillopen your mouth.” He gives me a raised eyebrow, translating his full intent to do just that, and I narrow my eyes at him but do open my mouth, mumbling, “You are the worst,” as he stuffs it with that piece of pancake.

“Good girl,” he praises me and even though I’m fully aware that he’s mocking me, I can’t help the shiver that spreads over me with those words.

What the heck is going on? When did I acquire a praise kink? Well…that kindofpraise kink.

Also, since when do pancakes taste so good? Or maybe I’m that hungry? But I keep eating, bite after bite as he feeds it to me with a satisfied smirk on his handsome face. Gorgeous bastard.

It’s not that I was trying to starve myself, I simply didn’t want to eat because the food tastes foul in my mouth these days. Bitter and acidic as it goes down, but not today. However, I’m not used to it, so after a total of six bites, I start to feel nauseous, and I put my hands up to stop him.

“I can’t. I can’t take anymore.”

Exton eyes me warily, no doubt checking to see if I’m lying but my appearance must satisfy him. “Fine. That’s good progress for today,” he says and tackles his own plate.

The man has an unhealthy appetite, he can eat nonstop.

“Where does it all go?” I ask him, curious, and he looks up.

“Where does what go?”

“The food. You inhale it like water, yet you look like that.” I gesture to his toned, muscular body and a cocky smirk pulls on his face.

“My angry elf, is that a compliment?” I roll my eyes at him.

“Mere statement and wonder.”

“No need to be shy, I know I’m irresistible.”

“More like full of shit, but sure, let’s go with your version.” I always have loved our easy banter and teasing but now, after last night, I wonder how much of it is him hiding from his past…or present?

“Don’t worry, babe, I’ll take off my shirt for you at the gym. I’ll be a special treat.” He winks but I frown.

“A, I’ve already seen you without a shirt.” I point to his bare chest. “And I’m still in one piece.” Lies. I’m a quick melting puddle, but he doesn’t need me to boost his ego even more. “B, I’m not going to a gym with you in the first place.”

“Oh, but youareee,” he singsongs.

---