Page 53 of Her Big Bad Wolf
“One slice for three growing boys?”
They nodded.
“That’s barbaric. There is plenty of pizza. I don’t want you making yourselves sick, though, so slow down. And we’re going to practice manners at this table. Isaac, could we start with plates, please?”
He handed me four. I frowned. “There are five of us.”
He started to protest but instead, grabbed another.
I set the table as he brought over the bread and salad.
“Okay, now we’ll all sit down.”
When Isaac didn’t immediately follow my lead, I looked up and then inclined my head towards the open chair.
He rolled his eyes but sat down.
“Now, tell me about your days,” I said, as I began dishing out salad and adding another slice of pizza to each plate along with a slice of Isaac’s bread.
I took a bite of bread as I waited.
“Holy shit! You made this? Mmm. This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”
The boys watched me and then they all grabbed their piece and tasted it.
“Good,” Mason praised.
“I love it,” Cam said.
Even Noah happily ate it. “Really good.”
“We don’t talk with our mouths full, boys. But really Isaac, this is delicious. Thank you.”
Isaac
Chapter 16
I wasn’t sure what had possessed me to bake, perhaps it was just out of habit, or maybe I wanted to show off for Vanessa. Either way, I was damn glad I did.
Her praise slammed me right in the chest.
It made me want to sit up a little taller.
I knew I was good in the kitchen, but since my grandmother died, I’d not had that kind of affirmation. Sometimes it was hard to remember things like that, and remember just how good praise felt. I couldn’t allow myself to get used to it. All of this was only temporary, but for today, it made me feel great. Not that I’d admit it.
We finished dinner and Vanessa made the boys help clean up before they scurried back downstairs.
“They shouldn’t be sleeping on the hard floor down there. Plus, it’s drafty.”
I shrugged. “If that’s what they want. Less of a bother for me.”
“You can’t possibly be serious. They’re just boys, Isaac.”
Every time she said my name, a thrill ran through me.
This woman seemed to have bewitched me and she didn’t even know it.
I scowled. This was not good. I couldn’t afford to get too attached to her, even if she was my mate. Everyone I’d ever let in died. Best to just keep her at a safe distance.
