Page 10 of Devour

“We’re literally here to get dinner!”

“I’m only interested in eating what your mother made. Other stuff doesn’t do it for me.”

“What are you saying? Do you even hear yourself?” After his outburst, Eli rubbed his forehead before letting his hand fall and gesturing to the door. “Let’s just go back to the booth.”

Ah, this man. He was a giver, and he didn’t even know it. My senses buzzed, desperate for one more hit. What could I say? I was greedy, and he was my forbidden fruit. I nipped at his neck before easing back and releasing him with a smirk.

“After Ember and Asher leave, you’re telling me the truth,” he said, pointing a finger at me, then at the floor. “Tonight.”

Look at him, trying to be bossy. So very hot.

“Don’t imply I lied, hubby.” Teasing him didn’t have the same effect it once did. Despite no outward change, I could sense he enjoyed it. Suppressed pleasure worked just as well for me.

Eli ripped the bathroom door open, and I sauntered along after him. We didn’t get far before bumping into Ash. Delicious. Jealousy didn’t satisfy the same and had a distinct bitterness, but it could do the job if necessary. Seeing the two of us made his mind work overtime.

“Hey, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Food just arrived.” Even if Ash didn’t say what he wanted to ask, I could hear the question as plainly as if he said it aloud. Where were you?

“I passed you at the bar on my way to the bathroom,” Eli said. Annoyance. Ick.

“How was I supposed to know?”

“I guess you were so busy you didn’t even notice.” Eli crossed his arms.

“Actually, what I noticed was Rhory nowhere to be found, too.”

Yes, he said that about me and not at me. Not very polite, but I’d let it slide, considering.

“What is your problem?” Eli asked. Good job, hubby. Let him squirm. “I had my phone. You could’ve texted me. Why leave dinner to come looking for me?”

Ash flicked his gaze from Eli to me and back again. He wasn’t going to say it. Instead, he silently fixated on one little mark on hubby’s neck. I might have gotten a bit carried away with that nibble. Oops.

“He thinks we’re fucking.” I didn’t have all night to wait for Ash to answer. Someone had to say it.

Ash paled before burning a deep red. He rubbed the back of his neck and lowered his eyes before mumbling, “Well, are you?”

“I’m saving myself for marriage.” I glanced at Eli affectionately and he shook his head, trying very hard to appear disapproving of my humor.

Normally, such a statement would get Eli all flushed and delicious, but this time, he got… heated. And not at me. He turned to Ash and said, “I don’t think you’re in any position to ask us that.”

Oh, us? Interesting word choice, hubby.

Eli walked away, so I shrugged and followed him. Ash could stay there and pout or come eat his dinner. His decision made no difference to me.

“You were gone for like twenty minutes,” Ember said once we returned.

Eli regarded her wordlessly, and I had to say, I liked this no-nonsense version of him. Since Ash appeared to be taking his time to return, assuming he would at all, I took the empty side so hubby could sit with his friend. I was very considerate sometimes.

“Found Rhory by the jukebox on my way to the bathroom. He held me up,” Eli said.

Screw it and screw Ash, too. My hubby doesn’t even curse in his thoughts. How precious.

Then he plopped down in front of his food. I supposed that made sense, since that was his original seat. He smirked at me beside him and while he said nothing, I knew. Earlier, when we took our seats, he got annoyed when he couldn’t sit with me. Only he didn’t realize what he wanted until the opportunity passed.

“Asher went looking for you,” Ember said to us.

“Why? I wasn’t lost.” Eli aggressively crunched a celery stick. Anger didn’t have the same allure, but I felt proud, nonetheless.

“Woah.” Ember put her hands up in surrender. “Who are you and what have you done with Eli?”

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