Page 74 of Scoring Eden

“Guess so.”

Truthfully, I hadn’t thought about it either. Sure, it would be pretty counterproductive to have sex with other women while trying to maintain the image of a monogamous relationship, particularly with the risk of it being leaked to the media. But then, I have the phone numbers of women on hand who I know for a fact would be discreet.

If I’d wanted to have meaningless sex, then I could have gotten away with it, so why haven’t I wanted to?

I have a terrible feeling I already know the answer.

“Everything looks great, man,” Roman says as I set the last serving dish onto the dining table and take the seat beside Eden.

“I still can’t believe you cooked.” Aspen reaches for the dish closest to her and piles a heap of mashed potato onto her plate. “Is it safe to eat?”

Brynn laughs, serving tiny helpings onto two plates for the girls. She sets one in front of Ivy, who’s sitting between us, then slides one across the table to Salem, who’s sitting in a highchair next to Leo. “Alex used to cook for me all the time when we were growing up.”

Aspen sags back in her seat with a look of genuine surprise. “That’s…unexpected.”

I reach for Eden’s plate to serve for her, but she bats my hand out the way with a glare.

“I can do it myself.”

“I know.” But she’s been sitting there, waiting for everyone else to make their plates without making a move to sort her own. “I just want you to eat while the food is still hot.”

“I was being polite.”

“Don’t be.” I nudge her plate. “Eat.”

Tentatively, she reaches for the dish closest to her and spoons some greens onto her plate. “So bossy.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.” I wink, and her face flushes pink. “Take a steak.”

God, she’s so fucking pretty. Her eyes, big and brown, with those long dark lashes that flutter against her cheeks every time she blinks. The delicate slope of her nose. Her heart-shaped lips that taste like cherries.

I need a new excuse to kiss her again.

It’s been a few days since I was last able to find a reason to do it, and I’m experiencing withdrawal. But if I were to kiss her now, everyone would lose their shit. Not only because all the adults at the table know our relationship isn’t real, but there are kids present. You gotta be respectful.

Aaaaaand, I’m staring.

Again.

Reluctantly, I drag my gaze away from her and immediately find Roman staring pointedly at me. My stomach tumbles with guilt, as if he’s caught me doing something I shouldn’t. Which is weird. I was only looking at Eden and thinking how pretty she is.

I think a lot of women are pretty. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s not like I’m acting on my attraction or leading her on. There’s nothing untoward going on here, so there is absolutely no need for Roman to be judging me.

He leans back, swinging his arm around the back of Leo’s chair. “Eden, how has it been living with Alex?”

She pauses, her fork midway to her mouth. “Bit of an adjustment, but it’s been good. It’s nice to sleep in a proper bed for once.”

“He plays video games with me!” Macon exclaims, his mouth stuffed with potato. I notice that he hasn’t served himself a single vegetable. “And last night, he made us burgers and fries in that cool oven with the baskets.”

He means my deep fryer.

“How domestic.” Roman’s smirk grows tenfold. “Have there been any grownup sleepovers?”

Eden’s eyes narrow as she processes the implication. “We’re just friends.”

My oldest niece drops her fork on her plate with a clang and slaps her hands on the table. “Are you friends that kiss?”

“No!” Macon is visibly horrified by the suggestion. “They don’t kiss. That would be gross.”