That was Callum in a nutshell, this burst of sweet heat that chased away the frost in the air.
“Tell me what you need me to do,” he said, following me into the pantry. “I’ve cooked with my Ma many times and know my way around the kitchen.”
“Unless it involves chopping potatoes?”
“Look who’s being rude now,” he smiled.
Butterflies swarmed my belly. I reminded the little bastards that while I had feelings for Callum, he didn’t feel the same way. He’d been all over some girl. Unfortunately, the butterflies didn’t get the memo. They fluttered like little minions of doom.
“I got this. You just sit and relax.”Preferably at a slight distance.It was hard to think with him so close. Hard to breathe.
An odd expression crossed his face before he took a step back. “If you insist.”
I measured out the dry ingredients and then combined them in a bowl with the eggs, butter, and milk. Once the cookies were baking, I wiped down the counter and then stepped over to the sink.
The air stirred at my back. Callum wrapped his arms around me from behind.
My body froze, yet my heart went into overdrive, thrashing against my ribs.
“Ev?” Callum’s breath tickled my nape. “Did I upset you in some way? You seem different around me. Distant.”
Guilt jabbed at my ribs. I thought I’d hid it well but apparently not. I was being ridiculous. Irrationally jealous. Callum deserved to be happy.
Even if it wasn’t with me.
“No, you didn’t do anything wrong.” I exhaled, releasing more of those hurt feelings. “I’m sorry for acting weird.”
“We’re okay then?” His arms tightened around me. “You and me?”
“Y-Yeah.” Slowly, I turned to face him. Big mistake. His face was mere inches from mine, and his eyes? Like swirls of dark caramel and chocolate. Those traitorous butterflies swarmed again. Once free, there was no bottling them back up. “You’re my best friend.”
“And you’re mine.” His voice shook. “But have you ever seen me as more than that? Or am I just your silly cinnamon roll?”
Flutters attacked my stomach; hummingbirds instead of butterflies. The flaps were much too quick. “What do you—”
“Ignore me.” He stared at me for several beats, his eyes shining with an intensity that made my chest ache. But then, he shoved that emotion deeper, putting on a mask. “I believe I’ve had too much wine.”
When he went to step away, I reached out for him on impulse, grabbing his wrist. “Wait. Talk to me. What’s going on?”
He stared at my hand before slowly lifting his gaze and forcing a smile. “As I said. Too much wine. It was quite potent.”
“Oh. Okay.” A pressure filled my chest. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Aye. Just need to sleep this off.” He ruffled my hair like he usually did, but it felt different this time. His hand trembled. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
As he turned and headed for the archway, head lowered and shoulders slumped, I sensed a shift between us. Something had changed.
Or maybe it was only my imagination.
Chapter Fourteen
Are All Knights So Stubborn?
Lake slept soundlessly beside me, face smooth and almost too pretty to be real. After making cookies the night before, I’d gone upstairs with him and slept in Rowan’s room. Briar, in his adorably drunken state, had been snoring too loud for either of us to sleep.
As I trailed my fingertips over Lake’s mouth, he emitted a soft sound and leaned into my touch. His androgynous features thrilled me to no end. And he was just as beautiful on the inside. Maybe even more so. I brushed a kiss to his brow before carefully getting out of bed.
Might as well start breakfast. My boys deserved a nice meal before they left for the castle.
