Sally slung an arm around her waist. “Come and see your kitchen. You won’t recognize it.”
The two dragged Uzuri away, setting her to laughing—and giving her time to recover her composure away from everyone else.
Nicely done.
After picking up her abandoned food, Anne settled into the chair Gabi had vacated.
To her surprise, Bronx dropped down at her feet. At the entreating look in his eyes, she plucked a piece of pepperoni off her pizza. His tail thumped the floor as he delicately accepted her gift.
At the sound of a familiar, hearty laugh, Anne looked up.
Laughing at a comment one of the boys made, Ben was choosing slices of the meatlover’s pizza. His face fell at the sight of the empty brownie platter.
After looking around, he walked over and joined Bronx at her feet.
“Ben.” Her voice held a warning he completely ignored.
He set his plate and Coke on the floor, turned sideways, and positioned her left foot on his thigh so he could edge between her legs. His left shoulder leaned on the couch cushion—almost on her pussy; her right leg was behind his back.
With a contented sigh, he picked up his drink.
Around the room were snorts of amusement and giggles.
Pushy submissive. Anne set her pizza down, put a hand on his shoulder, and fisted his hair, tilting his head back.
Heat flared in his eyes, and like a wolf facing its alpha, he exposed his neck even further.
She loved the way he responded to her. Nonetheless…
“Benjamin, did I ask you to sit at my feet.” Her voice carried to his ears and none other.
“Ma’am, no.” He gave her an easy smile and moved his plate before Bronx could get to it. He didn’t lower his voice. “After that bullshit of Cullen’s, I wanted to make a point.” His brows drew together. “If you really don’t want me here, I’ll move.”
Across the room, Cullen frowned. “Ben…”
“You know, Anne, he deserves to lose those balls,” Dan called.
“What’s going on?” one of the youngsters whispered to another.
“Estúpidos babosos.” Andrea slapped her Dom’s arm before glaring at Dan. “My workers are here.”
Cullen winced at the reminder.
Dan gave her a repentant chin lift.
“What’s going on is that Cullen thinks I’m too pushy with this woman.” Even as he offered Bronx a sausage tidbit, Ben grinned over at the boys, not uncomfortable at all. “You ever get that from your friends?”
Two of them turned to the third and started teasing him.
A perfect diversion. Anne gave Ben’s hair a tiny tug of approval.
His shoulders loosened under her hand.
The young lads were nudging each other and trading insults, and she could see where boys that age could certainly turn a person’s life upside-down. Yet, even in all their teenaged idiocy, they really were cute.
As the conversations floated around her, she finished her pizza and wiped her fingers on the napkin. Ben had already cleaned his plate.
“Good pizza, Ma’am,” he said. “Thank you for feeding all of us.”
“You’re welcome.” She picked up her other plate from the end table, knowing—knowing—she shouldn’t give him any encouragement. Nonetheless, her heart wouldn’t let her set the dessert back down. “Despite your extremely pushy behavior, I think you’ve earned a reward. You did a nice thing today for Uzuri.” She uncovered the big chocolate-frosting covered brownie.
His gaze held the delight of a man getting a tasty treat as well as the pleasure that she’d thought of him when others were grabbing their food. “Thank you, Mistress.” Before he took a bite, he paused. “Did you get some?”
“I know better. I’ve had Kari’s brownies before. If I ate one, I’d have to run an extra mile tomorrow morning.”
His eyes glinted golden. “I could be of service in working off calories.”
Well, she knew that for a fact. And the desire to burn a few calories with him was growing overwhelming. “Well, in that case, maybe I should indulge.” She leaned forward, letting her breast brush against his face as she grasped his wrist and pulled his brownie to her lips. She took a small bite.
“Oh, now, Ma’am, you know I’m good for more calories than that,” he murmured.
She choked.
Her cell rang. Saved by the bell. She checked the display and answered. “This is Anne. What’s up?”
“We have a pickup for you, if you have time,” Loretta said. “Do you remember Jane? However, she sounds nearly hysterical. You probably should take some backup.”