“Because you love me.” Maddox turned the smolder on full blast, his mouth skewing into a half-smile. Curse him and his devilishly good looks. Those pretty blue eyes were my kryptonite.
“Okay. But you owe me, like, a billion gold coins. Or to tell me where you’re going today. Either will suffice as payment.”
“The Adventurer’s Guild,” Maddox said. “That’s where I’m going.”
“Oh.” I blinked in surprise. I hadn’t actually expected him to tell me. “Why are you going to the Guild? Interested in throwing away the life of a knight and becoming an adventurer instead?”
“Telling you the reason wasn’t part of the payment.” Maddox nipped at the tip of my nose before swatting my ass. “Now go. You have work to do.”
“Yes, sir.” I rubbed at my butt cheek. “Blueberry muffins will be waiting for you later. As agreed.”
He smirked and watched me until I went inside the café.
The rest of the day passed in the blink of an eye. Being so busy helped. After Peter and Alice helped me close the café, I baked a special batch of blueberry muffins for my captain, as well as some banana nut because Briar loved those. Then, I settled into the reading parlor and cuddled up in an armchair with a book while I waited for my men to come home.
A while later, steps came up the front porch.
Smiling, I marked the place in my book and hopped up right as the door swung open. Maddox pulled me into his arms, a greeting that never got old. I pressed my face into him, breathing in leather, spice, and a bit of muskiness from being in the sun all day.
“Hey, you,” I murmured against his chest armor.
“Evening, muffin.”
Another set of arms came around me, and Briar’s scent surrounded me too. “Did you have a good afternoon, love?”
“Mhm. But it’s even better now,” I answered. “This is my favorite part of the day. When you two come home to me.”
“We’re not the only ones here.” Briar glanced toward the window. “Lake’s outside.”
I hadn’t seen Lake in two days, not since the morning we’d baked together. Knowing he was there caused little sparks of excitement in my belly.
“Go talk to him.” Briar kissed my temple. “We’ll stay here.”
“Speak for yourself, physician.” Maddox sneered. “I still don’t trust the wolf to be alone with Evan.”
Briar quirked a brow. “Maddox…”
“What?” That sneer transitioned to a deep scowl.
“I don’t have to,” I said as a pressure filled my chest. Regardless of how I felt for Lake, I never wanted to upset them.
“See what you’ve done now, you big brute?” Briar told Maddox. “You’ve made him sad.”
“I only worry for his safety. The wolf is… unpredictable.” Maddox cupped my cheek. “You’ve told us how you feel for Lake. And while I fail to see the appeal for him, it doesn’t bother me. I only wish for your happiness. Besides, I know I’ll always be your number one.”
I snorted a laugh. “My number one pain in the ass.” The pressure enclosing my heart lifted though.
“Whatdoesbother me?” Maddox’s smile slipped, and hardness touched his blue eyes. “His short fuse and recklessness. He’s impulsive and lashes out without thought.”
“Lake won’t hurt me.”
The muscle in his jaw tightened before he brought me to his chest, dropping his face into my hair. “If he does, I can make no promises that he’ll make it through the night with his head intact. You are more precious to me than you’ll ever know, Evan.”
The backs of my eyes stung. “You’re precious to me too.” I looked at Briar. “Both of you are.”
“I know, love.” Briar softly smiled. He then looped his arm through our captain’s. “Now that we have that settled, I smell something amazing coming from the kitchen. Come with me.” He then led Maddox from the parlor, tossing me a wink over his shoulder before rounding the corner.
Maddox’s grumbles faded, but I heard him say something about muffins.
