Page 13 of Raw Honey
"Hey, don't knock Alexander Pope!"
"Who the fuck is Alexander Pope?" Rebel asks, laughing at him.
Ice shakes his head and says, "Never mind. I don't have the time or the patience to explain it to you. I'm going to check on Emma." Rebel continues to laugh as Ice leaves.
"What's for dinner, Honey?" Rebel asks me.
"I have no idea," I reply, "But I'm sure I'll come up with something. Which reminds me, I need to get to it." I leave the bar and head for the kitchen.
I look at the clock, which reads 1:30.Good. That's plenty of time to get a roast in the oven.Some of the old ladies are coming tonight, so I want to make something a little more special than normal. I get it prepared and in fifteen minutes, it's in the oven. I whip up some mashed potatoes, some broccoli, and a salad.
When dinner is ready, all the boys and the old ladies come in and sit at the big table. I absolutely love these family dinners. We're all seated, getting our food when in walks miss prissy pants wearing a tight pair of skinny jeans and black halter top. And the freaking bitch has heels on.What the hell? She looks amazing.
I watch her as she stands in the doorway as if she's waiting for a formal invite. It's so obvious that she doesn't fit in with us. We're what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of people; we’re all down to earth and we definitely do not put on airs. She is the exact opposite. She will never fit in. I think about making a good show by inviting her in, but Ice beats me to it.
"Emma, come have some dinner," he says as he gestures at the empty seat next to him. She walks in and hesitates. He shakes his head and says, "Darl'n', it's ok, please sit. If you wait any longer there won't be any food left." She sits down and I almost choke on my food when I notice the way we are seated. Ice is in the middle and the two women that love him are seated on each side. It's a fucking triangle. I happen to glance at Hawk and he smirks. He sees it, and I'm sure everyone else at the table does too. Ice fills up her plate with more food than she can possibly eat and then says, "Eat up. The roast is really good."
I watch her curiously as she takes her first bit. She smiles and then says, "This meal is amazing!"
Before anyone can say anything, I make it quite clear who made the meal by responding to her statement, "Thank you."
Ice looks over to me and I realize that it is the first time that he has really acknowledged me since Emma came here. Every other time, he was telling me to do something or brushing me off. He gives me that sexy smile and says, "You've outdone yourself tonight."
I can feel the blush rise in my cheeks and can't help but smile back. In that one look, he just briefly banished all my insecurities. I nudge his shoulder teasingly and say, “Thanks, Ice. I aim to please; you know that." I look up at Emma and see that she actually looks ill.Oh yeah, she's definitely in love with him.She begins to pick at her food and suddenly I feel very triumphant.
After dinner, some of the guys remain seated around the table talking, while others disperse to the common area. Emma gets up and proceeds to excuse herself. I was fully expecting Ice to remain with the guys like he always does, but I'm shocked when he too gets up and says, “I think I'll join you." She smiles at him and I want to reach across the table and scratch her eyes out. She then looks directly at me as if to say, "checkmate."Fucking bitch!
I watch as they walk out of the kitchen. When Ice tenderly places his hand at the small of her back, my heart drops. In that instant, I know I've lost him.
Emma finally went to bed. Ice, Hawk, and Rebel are meeting in Ice's office. I want to see if they need anything, but I know the rules: stay out of club business unless you’re asked to be involved. Several hours go by and finally, Rebel and Hawk leave Ice's office. I really want to talk to him, so now that he's in there alone, I make my way to the door. I'm about five feet from the door when it opens and he comes out. He spots me and says awkwardly, "Goodnight, Honey." As he turns to go up the stairs, he adds, "Wonderful dinner tonight."
"Thanks, Ice," I say proudly feeling much more secure in our relationship. "Goodnight," I add, but he's already at the top of the stairs and I know he didn't even hear me. As I turn to head to my room, I hear a scream. Quickly turning back toward the staircase, I begin to rush up. Halfway up the stairs, I hear laughing. I stop and wait to see if I can hear anything. After a few seconds, I hear laughter coming from both of them.I really have lost him, if I ever had him at all.I turn and proceed back down the stairs and make my way to the other side of the building and my room.
