Page 11 of Monster's Mystery

“That I’m whipped,” he replied cheerfully. “I think it means something else to us beasts, because that’s a compliment.”

I laughed. “You would think that.”

“Don’t you?” His eyes flared with heat as he looked at me across the little table.

I shivered at the promise in his tone. “Well, I’m not keen on whipping, but if that’s what you’re into…” I trailed off suggestively.

It was Aiden’s turn to chuckle. “I’ll stick to the metaphorical whipping, thanks all the same.”

“Glad we’re on the same page.” I glanced around the mostly empty room. “When do you think more people will show up?”

Aiden brushed his sleeve away from his watch. “Probably about half an hour, after dinner at the academy. We got here a little early because I wanted you all to myself before you start asking around about Hazel.”

I opened my mouth to argue that I should have stayed behind to help Lilia, but I saw his point. There was only so much that I could do in a day, and it was already evening. It’s not like I could continue the search through the night. Re-entering the nexus point boosted my energy, but not bythatmuch!

“You win,” I said. “You’ll help once people get here?”

“Cross my heart,” Aiden replied solemnly.

“Here you go,” Everly said, depositing steaming bowls of food in front of each of us. “Enjoy!”

I breathed in the heavenly aroma coming from my rice bowl. There were hints of spicy chilies, cool cucumbers, and mouth-watering roasted chicken. I took my fork and speared a bite, chewing happily. “Oh my God, this is delicious!” I groaned, my tastebuds singing at the flavors. “I’m not sure I want to give up even a bit of this.”

“Not even to try a bite of mine?” Aiden teased.

I hesitated, glancing over at his bowl of noodles. They were coated in a white sauce, bits of ground beef, zucchini, and mushrooms visible. It smelled amazing, too.

“Okay,” I gave in. I loaded another bite onto my fork for Aiden, and fed him while he returned the favor. “I think yours might be even better than mine!” I gasped.

Aiden chuckled. “Variety is the spice of life.”

“How about this,” I offered. “Every second bite, we feed to each other. Then we can each have half of each bowl.”

“I don’t know…” Aiden hedged.

“Please?” I begged. “I’ll do anything.”

His eyes flared with heat. “Anything?”

I hesitated, wondering what he had in mind. He wafted the steam from his bowl toward me, and I caved. “Anything.”

He grinned like the cat who had eaten the canaryandgotten the cream. “All right then. Take your bite.”

“What are you going to have me do?” I asked anxiously, humming with delight over my mouthful.

“You’ll find out after bowling is over,” Aiden promised. “I don’t want you so anxious that I’ll surprise you with something naughty in the middle of the game.”

“So instead, I have all game to be anxious over whatever it is that you’re going to make me do afterward?” I said, raising my eyebrow.

“You’ll be quite willing to do it, I have no doubts,” Aiden said confidently. He held up his fork. “Now open your mouth and eat what you bargained for.”

I shivered at the promise in his tone, but obligingly wrapped my lips around his offering. It really was incredible food. Whatever he had in store for me would be worth it, especially if it was something related to sex with him.

We took our time over dinner, and three lanes were already full of people by the time our bowls were wiped clean of sauce with the soft and buttery bread rolls that Everly brought out.

“You take lane one, I’ll take lane two?” I suggested.

“Whoever finishes first gets lane three, and the other will claim lane four for ourselves,” Aiden agreed.

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