“Oh, you’ve hardly gotten to know my charm yet, little queen.” His gaze dipped to my cleavage and lower. “I suggest you wear something more appropriate for class.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I replied in a sugary tone.
Vox and Sol observed the exchange, their expressions ones of dread and shock. I smiled at them, noting their clean plates. “See? Eggs and cheese can be good, right?”
“Not my first choice,” Vox admitted softly. “But not nearly as horrible as I anticipated.”
Sol lifted one of those big shoulders. “I don’t know. I liked it. Better than cafeteria food.”
Cyrus snorted. “Not a resounding compliment, in my opinion.” He backed me into the counter behind me, then reached around for a straw, his gaze holding mine the entire time. “If domestication is your preference, I’ll have some of my mother’s recipes sent over so you can do your job properly.”
If my hands weren’t full of food, I might have slapped him again. “Move,” I demanded.
He cocked his head to the side. “Say ‘please,’ little queen.”
I smiled, another idea coming to mind as I sent a blast of energy into his chest, knocking him into the counter where Vox and Sol sat with open mouths. “Please,” I said, my voice sickly sweet.
Cyrus didn’t appear annoyed or angry, just amused. “Careful, Claire, or I’ll have to tell Exos you were flirting with me.”
I scoffed at that. “Assuming you’re alive when we find him.”
Vox gasped, while Sol chuckled.
“Yeah, okay. I like her,” the big guy murmured. “This’ll do.” He pushed away from the counter. “Don’t forget onions for tomorrow, Vox. I want to try the human’s version of an egg pie again, but to her requirements. So find that con stuff, or whatever you called it.”
“Bacon,” I supplied.
He snapped his fingers, causing the entire building to shake around us. “That, yes. Whatever bacon is.” He clapped Vox on the back. “I’m going to get ready for class.” He disappeared down the hall, whistling as he walked.
His size had intimidated me at first, but now I kind of liked the giant. I stared after him fondly until Cyrus stepped into my view. “Go feed your mate, little queen.”
“Claire,” I corrected him, angry all over again. I’m not fucking little.
“Sure,” he replied, sipping his green slush. “Have a good day, Claire.”
“Eat shit, Cyrus,” I returned with a smile and rotated on my heel.
Rather than rise to the bait, he chuckled, the sound following me all the way to my room. I hated how it warmed my skin and caused my belly to tighten. The asshole could at least have the common decency to be ugly. But no, he had to go around looking like Exos in his three-piece suit and ooze sex appeal.
Bastard.
“Enjoy class,” Vox murmured as he passed me, his control of air seeming to send the words to my ears alone. “And nice gust in the kitchen back there,” he added, his dimples flashing. “I couldn’t have done it any better myself.”
My cheeks heated at the compliment. I’d sent that wave of energy out of me without thinking, wanting the jackass royal to move. But it was nice to know I’d done it correctly. “Thanks,” I said softly.
He reached around me to open the door, something I hadn’t tried to do yet, thanks to the plates in my hands. “Don’t tell Titus what’s in that if you want him to eat it,” Vox advised. “Tell him afterward.”
“Will do,” I replied. “See you later today.”
“Yep.” He gave me a nod and a wink, leaving me to my plans for breakfast in bed.
Titus sat waiting for me, his back against the headboard, his auburn hair mussed with sleep. I’d wanted to give him more time to rest, but in reality, cooking had gone by faster than I realized. Still, he didn’t appear all that fazed, his green gaze tracking me across the room as I approached. “I don’t like waking without you in my arms,” he said, his voice deep and sexy.
I set the plates on the nightstand and crawled into the bed, straddling his strong hips. “I wanted to cook for you.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because it’s an activity I used to enjoy doing and I needed a distraction.”