Page 9 of Wild Desire

"It can wait," I said as I assisted him to the nearest chair at the same table with Joey, whose lips were smeared with chocolate.

"You're a baker?" Killian nodded toward the display case that was still hanging open.

"That's right."

"Is this the business you didn't want to talk about?" Killian asked, his muscles tensed as if he was in pain.

"It's not a secret. I've been selling the donuts here and at a shop in town." I kept most details about my life from others. Whenever anyone asked how many businesses I had or how much time I spent with my family, they usually had something to say about it. And I liked to avoid the judgment.

"Why not tell me what you needed your mornings for?" Killian asked.

I shrugged. "I'll grab you a plate of food, so you can take some medication."

I grabbed a plate, piling it high with food. Then I placed it in front of him along with utensils, a napkin, and syrup.

Joey was licking the icing from his fingers. "Can I have another?"

"You've had enough," Oliver said.

I transferred the rest of the donuts to the display, and then I took the small box I'd reserved for Marcus into the kitchen.

"You didn't have to do that," Marcus said when he saw the box on the end of the counter.

"You like them." And I liked doing things for other people.

"I want to pay for them."

I shook my head. "Not necessary."

"It's very necessary." Marcus wiped his hands on a towel and made a move for his wallet.

I backed away with my hands in the air. "We're friends, and friends don't pay for donuts."

Marcus raised a brow. "You're running a business?—"

"I can fry a few donuts for friends without expecting payment." Then I backed out of the room before he could hand me cash.

Eli waved me over to the family's table. He looked happy, probably because all of his brothers and his cousin Walker were all in one place for once."

I stood at the end of the table. "Is everything okay?"

"Why don't you get something to eat?" Eli waved a hand at the buffet.

"Oh, I already ate." A banana while I was watching donuts fry. But then my stomach rumbled, and Eli raised a brow.

I huffed a sigh. "Fine."

I moved to the table, taking eggs, fresh fruit, and a muffin. The only empty chair was next to Killian.

"How's your patient?" Eli asked me.

"Grumpy," I said simply, and everyone laughed.

Killian pursed his lips. "That's not fair."

"You have been grouchy. Don't run off Noelle, okay? She does a lot around here," Eli said.

"No one will run me off," I said, digging into the fluffy eggs. I was starving. Usually, I ate fruit or a granola bar on busy days. Sitting down to eat was a luxury. I didn't mention that Killian couldn't run me off because I needed the money I got from the Wildes. I helped with parties from time to time, and recently, they started buying donuts from me. They didn't balk at the price like Cal did.

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