“Why? You have an interesting evening planned.” He finished his second carrot, the crunch not unpleasant to my ears while he chewed with his mouth shut. He swallowed it down a few seconds later. “You need your strength.”
I sighed and evaded his question. “You looked at the CA schedule for the recruits?”
“I was bored.” He shrugged, his shoulder rubbing against mine.
“I can only imagine,” I muttered with sarcasm. But I lifted my left arm over his leg closest to me and stole one his carrots off the ground. I bit into it with relish, still ravenous. “Thanks.”
His chest shook with silent laughter. “You’re welcome.”
I finished off the carrot and then leaned, peering down between his legs. My eyes widened in pure, astonished delight. “Is that peach cobbler?” Peaches were a rarity, a special and expensive treat you indulged in once every ten years—if you could afford them then.
His nose was close to my left temple with the way I was positioned. He whispered, “Take it.”
I hesitated.
“You only have a chicken sandwich left then.” I cleared my throat, and then mumbled as quietly as I could, “And I can’t pay you back for that cobbler. I’m here with my own money, not my father’s.”
Heat burned on my cheeks as I blushed. Uncomfortable embarrassment thrummed inside my chest. But I really wanted that cobbler. I hoped he wouldn’t say no. I was so broke now that I wouldn’t be able to afford any meals outside of the Military House—it was free there.
Godric dipped his head forward, the tip of his nose now touching the tender skin of my temple. His voice was a mere breath. “Take it, pet. I want to watch that little pink tongue of yours lick every crumb off your delicious lips.”
I peeked at his friends, but they were still deep in their own conversation. They hadn’t heard what he said.
I seized the peach cobbler and the utensil next to it. Then I leaned back into my proper place. His shoulder still rested against mine, but we were no longer too close.
Around a mouthful of sinful indulgence, I mumbled, “Thank you.”
His lips twitch. “You’re welcome.
Golden eyes stared at my mouth.
Each time I licked my lips free of crumbs, his eyes flared in desire. He was enjoying watching me as much as I was enjoying eating. It was an excellent bargain.
Dark honey hair caught my attention as I licked the fork clean, the entire cobbler gone in less than a minute. The scary ass guy, who could pass for an academy student, was eating a piece of pizza by himself under a tree at a table.
I tilted my head in the man’s direction. “Who is that guy?”
Godric’s eyes flicked from my mouth to where I had indicated. He scanned the area with his intense gaze, many employees roaming the courtyard there.
“Which man?”
“The one by himself and eating pizza.”
Godric found the target, and his brows rose when he peered back at me. “Most people don’t notice he’s around.” His head tilted in interest. “Why are you curious about him?”
I didn’t want him to know that the man scared me. I didn’t want him knowing I found anything frightening. So I shrugged a bored shoulder, and answered, “He was hanging around when the crazy scientist was giving his speech about how amazing you are.”
His lips twitched in humor, though his eyes carefully scanned my features. He didn’t completely believe me. “His name is Theron. He works for me occasionally on special projects.”
“Special projects?”
He nodded. That was all.
I knew a brushoff when I saw it.
Godric groaned under his breath, his features pained as he looked skyward. “Actually, I need to speak with him.”
“Theron?” Finn groused. “Wait until we’re gone.”
Rune grunted in agreement, finishing his water.
Alaric rubbed his forehead. “I’m really not in the mood to deal with him today, either.”
Wolfe snorted and glared. “Same.”
My red brows rose on my forehead.
Their reactions were…interesting.
Finn growled and quickly looked away. He stared at the ground hard, picked at the grass near his crossed legs, and whispered swiftly, “Too late. He’s headed this way.”
I blinked in shock at his obvious anxiety.
All four of Godric’s friends, and if I wasn’t mistaken, all the powerful men in the corporations, gazed anywhere but at the man walking toward us in flip-flops.
I tensed and set my plate and my fork down.
Theron stopped in front of our group.
He was playing a game on his bracelet again, his head down without a care. His voice was quiet with an accent that sounded like sand blowing in a light breeze.
Theron stated directly in greeting, “Mr. King.”
His gaze lifted. He didn’t look at Godric.
Those dark eyes were honed directly on me.
I still couldn’t figure out how old he was.
His attire was so innocent and casual.
His honey-colored hair gleamed under the sun.
And he definitely still scared the shit out of me.
Godric sighed. “Theron, this is Poppy.”
The man didn’t say anything, only started another one of his slow perusals of my person. When his regard rose back up my body and landed on my eyes, he smiled.
And it transformed his face into a masterpiece of beauty.
I blinked.
He. Was. Scary. As. Fuck.
Theron tipped his head to me. “It’s an absolute pleasure to meet you, Poppy.”
I nodded my head in a jerky motion.
I couldn’t speak for the fear tightening my throat.
He stared. “A quiet one, huh?”
Godric chuckled. “Not exactly.” He leaned closer to me, his shoulder bunched with protective muscle and warmth. “I actually need a favor.”
Theron finally turned those eyes on Godric.
He complained, “I’m supposed to be on vacation.”
“Yes. So you’ve said before. A hundred times. And yet you keep popping up at the most annoying times.” Godric glared with an old argument that I knew nothing of, but I did know it was one by his irked expression. He paused and tapped his right foot. “So, are you willing?”