Page 66 of Tabitha

If they continue to serve me chocolate, I’ll totally develop a fetish for soldiers who cater to my every whim. With that dangerous line of thought, I reluctantly lower my cup.

Only then do I notice Bast is gone. To my astonishment, Pierce has taken his place, while River reclines on the other side of me. I can only blink in surprise that I didn’t even notice the swap.

When I glance up at the man who handed me the cup, I smile in appreciation at Gage. All three men stare hungrily at me, and I clutch my mug closer, taking another sip, my lips curling in a snarl. “Mine.”

Pierce releases a sexy rumble that hardens my nipples. “No one is looking at your chocolate, Tabby.”

I frown at him for a moment, unable to move for fear of spilling my hot chocolate, when he leans over and brushes his lips against mine in a brief kiss.

“Delicious,” he murmurs, licking his lips, his light blue eyes almost electric.

I catch myself before I can lick my own lips, wanting another taste of him. His evergreen scent, mixed with something sweet, reminds me of Christmas. I bury my face in my cup and take another sip. “While you might be yummy, my chocolate is still better.”

I turn away from Pierce and nod toward Gage. “You’re my favorite now.”

“Challenge accepted!” River chimes in, shooting upright in bed. The blankets covering him fall to his waist, exposing his muscular chest, and my eyes drop to the sprinkle of hair that arrows down the center of his beautiful abs.

I’m so distracted that I almost miss him reaching for me, and I quickly smack my hand against his chest. “If you spill my chocolate, I will gut you.”

River halts, his eyes searching mine, and he purses his lips. “I can’t tell if you’re serious or not.”

“She’s always serious when it comes to her chocolate.” Pierce scoots toward the end of the bed, playing with a lock of my hair. “You touch her chocolate, even look at it or breathe in the scent too deeply, and she will kill you…or make you wish you were dead.”

River gives Pierce a sharp nod that guys give each other. “Appreciate the heads-up.”

Pierce just shrugs. “Blood is a bitch to get out of wood and off walls. I’d hate to have the place cleaned before we sell.”

I take a sip of chocolate, then sigh heavily when the last drop of the delicious brew disappears. I hand the cup back to Gage but refuse to release my hold when he reaches for it. “Is this the chocolate you promised me last night?”

The corner of his mouth kicks up briefly. “No, your chocolate is waiting down—”

I don’t wait for him to finish before I stand up and stomp across the mattress. I ignore the guys as they curse and scramble to get out of the way. Gage holds out his hand, as if to catch me if I fall. I grab it for balance, leap off the bed, then charge toward the door.

“She really loves her chocolate, huh?” River says, reverence in his tone.

“You have no idea.” Pierce chuckles, and I ignore their banter as I head toward…I skid to a stop at the top of the stairs and inhale deeply.

It’s only by the grace of the gods that I make it down the stairs without breaking my neck. As soon as the kitchen comes into view, I see my prize resting on the counter. I don’t waste time walking around the island, just stretch across the surface until my prize is in my hands.

Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache.

“That’s not a sight you see every day,” Bast says from behind me.

I turn with my prize clutched to my chest, my legs dangling off the edges of the island. He leans his shoulder against the wall, his arms crossed. He looks tired, the smell of teakwood and spice and fresh air drifting into the room with him after a night on watch. He takes a few steps into the kitchen, opens the drawer, then plucks out a fork.

When he approaches, I scowl and hunch over my prize, proud that I’m able to hold back the growl that rumbles in my chest.

Bast raises his hand to show he’s harmless, approaching slowly, then lowers the fork into the cake. I watch, much like a snake ready to strike, as he slowly lifts the fork full of chocolate goodness.

I tense, but instead of taking a bite, he brings the fork to my mouth. I freeze for a moment, then hesitantly lean forward. With my gaze locked on his warm amber eyes, I close my mouth around the fork and take a bite. Lucious chocolate explodes across my taste buds, and I roll the flavors around in my mouth, only swallowing when the taste fades.

“Mind if I have a taste?” Bast stands between my knees, his hands on either side of my thighs, never taking his gaze off me.

I lick my lips, look down at the cake almost mournfully, then peer back up at him. I purse my lips, then nod grudgingly. “Sure, but just a small piece.”

Bast reaches for the platter. I tighten my hold for a second, then reluctantly release my grip. When he picks it up and sets it aside, I lean over and reach for it again. “Hey—”

Only to fall quiet when Bast catches my face in his hands. Whatever I was going to say evaporates when his head dips and his mouth takes mine. I clutch at his shirt, not sure what to do with my hands, needing to hang on to something as the world around me vanishes.

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