Page 18 of Unbound

“No, actually, I’m having fresh bread, baked salmon, and mashed potatoes.” He winks at me.

As usual, my cheeks heat, and my stomach knots. I can’t figure out if he does it just to mess with me or if he doesn’t even realize how it affects me.

“Wow. That’s quite an upgrade from your usual plate of microwaved shit.”

“My wife likes to cook.”

My movements stall at his words.

He just called me his wife.

“Yeah, about that. I got scolded for not having more information to share about her. So, I got a list of questions.”

Sterling comes over to me and takes the pitcher of iced tea to set it on the table. “Shoot.”

“What’s her name?”

“Eden.”

“Eden—okay. Is she living with you?”

“Yes.”

“Cool, cool. How did y’all meet?”

Sterling walks back over and takes the plates from my hands. “I met her outside of a truck stop, getting harassed by a driver. I got rid of him and offered her a ride.”

“Damn, did you kill him?”

“Unfortunately, no. He’s still breathing.”

I gulp, the hair on the back of my neck rising as I take a seat at the small, round table.

“How old is she, and how far along is the pregnancy?”

“She’s twenty-one, and we think she’s twelve weeks. Her first doctor’s appointment is tomorrow.”

“Damn. All right, one last question. Is she hot?”

Sterling’s dark eyes find mine across the table. He reaches for my hand because he knows I’ll want us to say grace before we eat. I grasp his fingers, holding my breath.

“She’s gorgeous.”

My stomach flips. I release an exhale, licking my bottom lip.

“And you’re just … helping her out?” Duke asks.

Sterling doesn’t answer immediately. His gaze sweeps over me.

“I gotta go.” He taps the End button on the phone screen and bows his head. “Thank you for this food and for Eden preparing it. Amen.” He releases my hand.

I can barely taste the buttery lemon pepper marinade as I bite into my salmon.

He thinks I’m gorgeous.

“That was my brother Duke.”

“How many brothers do you have?”