Page 62 of Siren's Game

"You'rea disgusting combination," I grumble and take another bite. I just love the sweetness of the pineapple on my pizza, it gives the whole thing a lovely fresh taste. And if there’s fruit anyway, orange juice doesn’t make it any more or less disgusting.

I’ve never understood why so many people don't like the combination. My theory is they've just never tried it and go with the mainstream opinion.

"God, this is good." I sigh happily, as I chew on a piece of crust and reach for another piece. Then for the first time, I take note of what he's gotten for himself. "Damn. Did you order the whole menu?"

"Close to it," he admits with a grin and opens one of his containers. The most heavenly smell of carbonara hits my nostrils and I lean over to take a look at it. "I'm a big guy and I've exercised the whole day. I need my calories."

"Yeah, yeah. Good for you. Can I try that?" I look at him with wide eyes. Seriously, it smells to die for. He narrows his eyes at me and I can see the urge to fight me for his food in his pupils. "Pretty please?"

He sighs and his shoulders sag as he gives in.

"Just this once. Because you’re sick." I grin at him gratefully and lean over to dig my fork into the container, taking out a piece that's way too big for courtesy.

But as he said, I'm sick, I don't care.

But Karma kicks me in the ass and I almost drop it when another cramp shoots pain through my insides. Thank God my pizza box is there to catch it.

"This is as delicious as it smells," I groan when I finally put it into my mouth and the flavors hit my tongue. Maybe I should have ordered carbonara. Then again, the pineapple pizza is hitting all the right taste buds as well.

"Good to know." He grabs the box back and digs into it himself, groaning when he takes his first bite.

We eat silently, from time to time commenting on something happening in the series. After I eat the last piece, I throw the pizza box on the coffee table and lean back on the couch, hugging the hot water bottle to my stomach again.

"God, I'm so full."

"Goohfoyu," he mumbles with a full mouth as he reaches for a box with small pizza rolls and stuffs one into his mouth. How the hell does he fit all of that food into his flat stomach? Scratch that, how does he fit it into his mouth?

"You know chewing is a thing, right?" I ask and raise my eyebrow at him.

He grins at me with full cheeks like a hamster in response and takes a swig of the Coke he ordered himself until his mouth is empty and he can talk.

"Where's the fun in that?"

"Hmm, where's the fun in not suffocating, I don't know. Just know that I won't be able to Heimlich your tall ass."

"Now that's the better argument," he argues back and starts eating more slowly. Maybe he was scared I'd steal more of his food, but there’s not a chance. I’m so full.

It takes him another episode to finish while I lay here, in agony. The cramps are better now, I almost don't feel them anymore, but now I'm so full I can't move. Each movement makes it feel like I’m about to throw up.

When he's done eating, he takes all of the empty boxes and brings them into the kitchen. I can even hear him unfold them before throwing them away. How . . . surprisingly considerate?

I’m too exhausted to evaluate what that does to me, but my heart flutters.

Ignoring that traitor, I take the opportunity and lay myself flat on the couch, arms and legs extended like a starfish. Yes, that feels a lot better.

"Scoot over a bit," Asher demands with a chuckle when he comes back and I groan.

"Do I have to? It’s so comfy."

He tilts his head and looks at me like all the wheels behind his eyes are turning. Then he walks over, scoots his hand under my neck, and lifts my head, sits down and then lowers it to his thigh.

I look at him with wide eyes, my heart drumming in my chest like it’s trying to set a new record. What?

This feels way too intimate.

I can feel each muscle move under my cheek as he scoots into a comfortable position, each of his breaths, and I swear I can even hear his loud heartbeat.

He clears his throat before he reaches for the remote. "How about we watch something less gruesome?"

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