Page 59 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

Aaden clears his throat and starts undoing some of the cartons. “What else did you order?” Lifting my head, I smile at him and hope that’s the end of the discussion.Yeah, right.

Zee prods me further. “Jesus, Natia, if I’d known kink was your thing, I could’ve arranged something.”

Leaning forward with my elbows on the table, I glare at Zee. “You’ll all be sorry when I figure out how to breathe fire.” He sniggers.

Archan’s warm hand covers my thigh. Is the man trying to kill me? I turn, ready to offer to remove his dick and feed it to the dog that lives in the apartment next door… but his regretful expression makes me blink.

Looking down at his hand, I whisper, “Not helping.” He slides it away and returns my phone. I change the playlist to ‘Natia’s happy songs.’ No one argues. I relax, trying to forget the brief look they’ve all had into Natia’s dark side.

“Have you searched the island previously?” I ask Archan.

He nods. “It’s been difficult; the natives aren’t exactly welcoming. We’ve been on the island but have been blocked from searching all the locations we want to.”

“Like where?” Duncan asks.

“There are several caves that are of interest. We’ve managed to search two, but the final one remains heavily guarded. Short of slaughtering the locals, we haven’t been able to negotiate access.”

Hmm, so he’s against killing an entire tribe for their purposes? Brownie points in his favor. “So, the aim of tomorrow is to sneak past the locals and search the cave?”

“Jed can show you the cave we are speaking of,” Archan says. “If it is the correct location, the natives will likely know what we’re after, so let Jed take the lead.”

I nod my head noncommittally. The person to take the lead will most likely have first access to the Jar—if it’s there. I bite the end off a spring roll then spoon the filling into my mouth. Jed and Archan look at me incredulously.

Aaden laughs. “The spring roll’s amusing.”

“It’s ingenious, and you know it,” I retort, without looking up from my delicate task. One wrong move, and I could crack the pastry casing.

Zee studies the table. “Five bucks on chicken and cashew nuts.” He takes out a bill from the back pocket of his sweats and slams it on the table.

Aaden rises out of his seat and inspects the contents of the cartons. “Hmm, I’ll raise you ten bucks on the sweet and sour pork.” They look at Duncan.

Instead of the food, he studies me. “I think she’s in a double carb mood. I’ll meet your bet, chow mein.”

Jed and Archan have stopped eating and watch the exchange with curiosity. I grab the sweet and sour pork and spoon it into the empty spring roll. Aaden fist pumps the air and holds his hand out to Zee and Duncan. I roll my eyes.

Jed leans over to me. “Babe, that’s brilliant. You’ve personalized your spring roll.”

I smile. “You’re growing on me, Smoothie.”

He winks.

By my third glass of wine, I’m officially drunk.

Wobbling to the freezer, I declare, “Dessert,” to nobody in particular.

It’s my turn to fist pump the air when I find my favorite ice cream.

“Come to me, rocky road… you know I love you.” Placing it on the breakfast bar and getting out a spoon, I eat directly from the carton—it’s all mine anyway. I close my eyes and moan at the amazing taste of frozen chocolate and marshmallows. Nowthatchef deserves top money.

Someone clears their throat. I blink and find amused faces staring at me.

“What? I have no sex life. I need a serotonin substitute.” I hug the carton to me and point to each of my guys. “It’s not like any of you have a sex life—you need a release, too. How you get yours is your business, but me? I have frozen, chocolatey goodness.”

Zee doubles over laughing, and Jed follows, slapping his hand on his knee as he completely loses his shit.

Aaden chuckles. “Did I mention she’s a hilarious drunk?”

Ignoring him, I point my spoon at Archan. “And you. You’re responsible for all of this.” I suck another spoonful of ice cream into my mouth then wave my spoon around in the air.

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