Page 21 of Edward’s Bunny

I barked a laugh. “As long as Owen insists on working here, I doubt you’ll get rid of him.”

The side of her lip crooked up in an odd half-smile. “I suppose you’re right. Come on; I’ll take you back to my special table. We can talk.”

Linda turned to leave, but I gently placed my hand on her shoulder. Linda spun around, her eyes instantly turning hard and nose flaring. She was ready for battle. Fuck, I shouldn’t have touched her.

I raised my hands in surrender, hoping to convey that I had no ill will. “Sorry, Linda. I didn’t mean to startle you. I apologize.”

“What did you want?” she asked, a hardness that wasn’t there filling her words.

“Again, I’m sorry. You were in a hurry. I truly mean no harm. I….” I stopped talking as Brian’s wild scent filled my nostrils. My lion rose within me and took notice. He wanted to bathe in that scent. I broke eye content and turned my head. Brian’s eyes locked with mine, and I could see the desire in them.

“You were saying.” Linda’s gravelly voice broke my trance, and I focused back on her.

“I wanted to say I’m here to see someone. I’m hoping you’ll allow it,” I replied respectfully.

I may be king, but my father always told me you get more bees with honey. I was in her territory—I could show the respect she was due.

Linda raised her brow, causing her leathery skin to display an interesting array of wrinkles. “Who? What did they do? Are they a member of my surfeit?”

I quickly glanced back at Brian, who’d moved closer. He was sitting next to a young girl at the host stand. I focused back on Linda and shook my head.

“No, he’s not a member, and he did nothing wrong. I’m here to see Brian. My reasons are personal,” I replied.

Linda’s eyes dated toward Brian and back to me. “What’s the lion king got to do with a rabbit?”

“As I said, it’s personal.”

This was between Brian and me. I wasn’t close enough to Linda to share about our connection. I only hoped she’d relent.

“Hey, cotton tail, come here,” she called.

Brian rushed to Linda’s side. He moved nervously from foot to foot and looked at me shyly. I smiled, and a soft red tinge flushed over his cheek.

Linda observed our silent interaction before saying. “You know him, cotton tail?”

Brian looked at Linda and nodded. “Yeah. He’s Hayden’s dad and…. a friend.”

I bit my tongue and growled internally at the word ‘friend’. We were more than friends. We were soulmates, destined by fate. Friend, pfft.

Linda’s eyes narrowed. “I see. Friend, huh? Okay, you’ve got five minutes to talk with your friend. I’ll cover your tables.” She stiffened her spine, and her eyes seemed to bore into my soul. “I don’t want trouble in my place of business. So keep it civil.”

I nodded and turned back to Brian. “Is there a place we can talk?”

“Take him to my special table. No one will bother you,” Linda said before turning on her heel and walking away.

“Come with me,” Brian said softly.

He turned and practically sprinted across the room. I had to power walk to keep up. He wove in and out of the tables before stopping at a back booth.

“Have a seat.” Brian gestured before sliding into one side.

I slid into the opposite side even though I wanted to sit next to him, but I knew it would freak him out.

“I thought you were a cook. When did you start waiting tables?” I asked, breaking the small silence.

Brian’s pierced brow shot up in question. “That’s what you wanted to know?”

I grinned. “I figured I’d ease into things.”

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