Page 49 of Lost In The Dark

“It smells great,” Asher told me with a smile, as he headed straight for the freshly brewed coffee. “Did you sleep okay?”

“Really good actually. Thank you for staying with me.”

“I already told you not to thank me for that,” he told me as he passed me with a full cup of black coffee and paused to kiss the top of my head. “You look good this morning,” he commented.

“I feel better.” I looked up with a smile, grateful for the small gesture that meant so much.

“Can I help with anything?” Eli offered as he appeared beside me. I patted his arm and smiled.

“I have it handled. Grab a seat and I’ll plate up.” He placed his hand over mine and gave it a squeeze as we shared a moment. It was written all over his face how relieved he was to see me looking better and I knew it.

“I’ll grab cutlery. Did Kane reply, princess?” Jordan asked.

“Kane?” Eli questioned.

“I sent him a text to invite him for breakfast, but he didn’t get back to me. I guess he’s busy,” I shrugged, trying to mask my disappointment.

“You should talk to him, Ash. We’ve barely seen him this week. He can’t be that busy, can he?” Eli questioned.

“I’ve noticed, and Iamworried. I’ll track him down later and check on him,” Asher agreed. I was glad to hear that, but I still worried that it was all my fault. I hated the idea that my presence was pushing him out.

I set to work filling two more plates and tried not to dwell on Kane, knowing I’d zone out again if I got lost in thought.

It felt good to have done something for the guys as I handed out the plates, even if it was just a small thing. They were all smiling and they looked more relaxed than I had seen them in the week I had known them.

As I sat down Eli handed me a soda, then we all tucked in. The pancakes were pretty good, much to my relief. I was fairly competent at cooking in theory, because of all the cooking shows I loved to watch and the cookbooks I had devoured when I worked at the library, but in practice I had rarely cooked for myself. There just never seemed much point when it was just me, plus money had always been tight for me.

“What smells so good?” Adam asked. I looked up and just stared hard. He had obviously been in the shower after his workout and his hair was slightly damp. He was dressed in jeans and a white button down shirt that contrasted perfectly against his darker skin tone. The shirt was untucked, and the sleeves rolled up his muscular arms to his elbows. I was resolved to stick to my plans of becoming a crazy dog lady after everything, but good God, Adam and Jordan were making it very hard. I found myself noticing them in ways I had never bothered to look at the opposite sex before.

“Addy and I cooked breakfast. Pancakes. They’re good,” Jordan replied as he held up a full fork, then shoved it in and groaned loudly. “So good.”

“Do you want some? I made enough,” I offered as I forced my eyes from gawping and moved to stand.

“I have to try them. They smell awesome,” Adam told me with a smile. “But I’ll get them. You finish eating,” he added.

I nodded, relieved, since I was completely unsure what my body and brain would have me doing if I got too close to him looking as hot as he did. Which was insane, I knew, but it was like I had no control of my reactions around him and his brother. And Kane too, if I was honest.What is wrong with you?I asked myself. My behavior was just so out of character for me.

Adam had filled a plate and grabbed some coffee, then dropped down into the seat beside me, and I was instantly wrapped in the scent that was him - a mix of his woodsy aftershave and whatever shower gel he always seemed to use, I guessed. He always smelled so amazing.

“These are delicious, honey. It’s a real treat to be cooked for. Thank you,” he told me after he took a bite.

“I agree. They were delicious, sweetheart. Thank you,” Asher said as he moved to stand and pick up his empty plate. I reached a hand out to where he sat beside me and stilled him.

“There’s just a couple of things I wanted to talk about, if that’s okay?”

“Of course,” Asher nodded as he sat back down and gave me his full attention. As I glanced around the table I realized they had all stopped eating and were focused on me. It made me nervous but I knew I needed to grab the moment while I was feeling a little stronger.

“Well, f-first I wanted to thank you all for being so kind and patient with me since I got here. You’ve been great and I know I’ve interrupted your lives a lot,” I began.

“Addy, you really don’t need to thank us for that. You’re family and we’re just glad to have you with us, where you belong,” Elihurried to tell me as he leant past Asher to place his hand over mine.

“He’s right. We’re all just happy to have you here,” Adam agreed.

“Thank you,” I told them all with a shy smile. “You’ve all made me feel safe in this house and I…I think that’s helping a lot. I’m sleeping better and I feel a little stronger.”

“That’s great, Addy,” Asher told me and I nodded.

“It is. Which brings me to my next point. I think you guys should get back to normal – especially you and Eli. You haven’t been into the office once since I got here and I think I’m ready for you to do that now.”