Page 14 of Death and Donuts

Cross: I would imagine so. It’s not something I’ve ever discussed with others. Why do you ask?

Me: I’m making something for you to try if you have time this afternoon.

Cross: For you? Always.

Me: Okay. Don’t come running when you sense me bleeding.

Cross: Ensure the injury is small, and I will try to restrain myself.

Vena shuffled out of her bedroom just after I finished frying the bismarks.

“Something smells good, wifey,” she said, leaning on the counter. “What are you feeding me?”

“Nothing,” I said with a fake glare. “You kept me up last night.”

Anchor had taken his role as a distraction very seriously. Poor guy.

She made a face. “You can’t be mad. The rule is no sex while you’re home, and we didn’t have sex.”

“But you would have if he’d given in to your begging.”

“You heard that?”

“I think China heard you. ‘Please, Anchor. You won’t need to do any work. Just lie back and let me pounce. I promise it’ll be good for both of us.’”

“Eh. The walls are thinner than I thought. Did you hear his answer?”

“No. Thankfully.”

“Cause there wasn’t one. His mouth was full.”

I threw a hot bismark at her. She caught it with a grin and bit into it.

“Aw! There’s no filling.”

“I think that’s what you said last night.” I smirked. “It needs to cool before I fill it.”

She snorted. “I wish Anchor would have given me his filling. But seriously, what’s supposed to go in this? It’s too plain.”

“The filling’s in the fridge, but it’s not for you. I bled in it.”

“Not playing favorites, I see. I guess it’s fair that Cross gets a taste since Shepard had one last night.”

After her impromptu make-out session with Anchor in the women’s bathroom, she hadn’t brought up my post-meeting “just been kissed” look. I should have known she wouldn’t let it drop.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She laughed. “Either you talk, or I do. Your choice.”

Since I knew what she’d start sharing, I gave in quickly.

“Shepard kissed me. That’s it. There was no begging involved, unlike some people.”

“That’s just because you don’t know how to have your cake and eat it too. I’m telling you, be the human cream in their otherworld cookie sandwich. No one will walk away mad.”

“You’re banished from the kitchen until it’s time to check in with Cross. And if you mention anything inappropriate about my sex life while there, I won’t cook for you for a month.”

She immediately sobered. “Yes, ma’am.”

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