Page 96 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“Don’t eat them,” I warn him. He snorts.
“Wasn’t planning to.”
We rejoin the others around the table and I can see how close to snapping everyone is. I serve and pass around the brownies, giving Baxter just ice cream. It would be too suspicious if I didn’t eat them, but I had planned for that too. I take the end piece which should be safe.
“These are delicious, Amelie,” Laura smiles at me.
“I remember how much I used to love baking with you when I was small,” I tell her softly.
“We can do it again. It could be a regular thing; us providing Sunday dessert.”
“I’d like that,” I lie.
“What’s wrong, Monty? Don’t you like our dessert?” Laura pouts. Now he has to eat them. He knows how volatile she can be, he won’t want to cause a scene.
Reluctantly, Monty and his sons tuck into their dessert. Kalen seems shocked that it’s not poisoned, but Onyx flares at me knowingly. All too soon the fun comes to an end.
“Well, thank you for dinner, Laura,” Baxter schmoozes and she beams. “But Amelie and I really should be going, with it being a school night and all.” I snort. He really plays the part ofthe perfect son-in-law a little too well. Laura, of course, has been lapping it up all evening.
“Thank you for having us. This was way more fun than your average Sunday night!” I say with a fake smile.
“I thought it was going to be awkward, Amelie, meeting your exes,” Baxter winks at me.
“Excuse me?” Laura blinks.
“It must be weird, with you guys getting engaged and all, knowing that she dated - what was it, babe? - three of your sons? Oh, no, wait, silly me. You have four sons.”
Silence settles on the room like the split second of absolute peace before a bomb detonates.
“What?” Laura is whiter than a sheet.
“Oh, babe, was it a secret?” Baxter turns to me and pretends to look horrified. Sawyer looks ready to kill. I shrug with forced nonchalance.
“I wouldn’t call what we did ‘dating’ but I guess I should save my mother all the dirty details.” I grin.
“Monty!” Laura screeches. She looks about to pass out. “What are they on about?” There’s genuine panic and fear in her voice.
“Nothing, darling. They’re just messing around. Baxter likes to joke.”
“Is it true?” she begs him, desperate to remain in denial.
We get to our feet and survey the carnage of the room.
“I think our work here is done,” I tell Baxter.
“Almost,” he replies.
He turns to me and captures me into his arms, one hand planted firmly between my shoulder blades, the other curling under my thigh to lift it high on his hip. He dips me back dramatically, kissing me passionately and probably giving one half of the room an eyeful of my chest, and the other half a flash of the panties I forgot to put on.
His kiss is demanding, intense. Everything I would expect from him. I bet lesser girls would melt under his expert touch. It does nothing for me. But when I see Onyx jumping to his feet out of the corner of my eye, I wrap my arms around Baxter’s neck and give a good moan. We pull apart and grin, then take our leave.
As we walk out, the last thing I hear is Kalen say to Laura: “It’s true. Every word. Your daughter’s an even bigger whore than you are, step mummy dearest.”
Laura screams like a banshee before all hell breaks loose and the sound of breaking glass reaches our ears.
Best. Sunday. Ever.
Chapter Thirty-Three
