Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55087 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
She grimaced and guessed, “Badly?”
“Exactly. So, the guys and I moved your things upstairs. It wasn’t hard. I refilled your suitcases with the contents of your drawers and closet and grabbed your laundry.”
“And Edgar?” she asked quickly.
“And Edgar. He’s napping in your bed.”
“I overreacted, didn’t I?”
“Yes. That’s why you’ll receive a spanking after dinner.”
“All the guys will hear,” Sadie said in horror.
“I’ve already tested it out. The rooms are soundproofed.”
She pressed her lips together as she contemplated the punishment. “You could give me a warning.”
“Not happening.” Rocco nodded at the binder on the floor.
Sitting around the table with the guys felt awkward for about two minutes. When they started their talk-if-you-have-the-serving-spoon thing, Sadie couldn’t help but giggle. Thank goodness she’d asked them to start the salad circulating the opposite way around the table. It had taken Kestrel and Phoenix talking in turn for her to pick up on what was happening. She had a feeling they were making more of the new tradition than it really was, but then again, maybe not.
What she appreciated most was that no one seemed intent on bombarding her with more questions right now. They must have silently agreed to let her eat in peace.
“I got the anchors in place on the cliff face today. We might have a few people who wish to rock climb without them, but it’s a fairly complex wall. I’ll only let the most experienced climbers attempt it after I see that they can handle it,” Rocco shared with the group as he filled Sadie’s plate before heaping the greens on his.
“We definitely don’t want to have to try to rescue some macho guy trying to show off for his girlfriend or boyfriend,” Kestrel agreed.
“That’s so going to happen,” Rocco said with a laugh before handing the salad tongs to Sadie. “Some guys will do anything to show off for someone special.”
She already had salad on her plate, so she knew that by handing her the tongs, Rocco was giving her a chance to speak. She stared down at the utensil in her hand for a moment to gather her thoughts before looking at each man, one after another, as she spoke, “I owe you all a huge thank you. I was so busy trying to figure out where to escape to next that I failed to tell you how much I appreciate each of you.” She set the tongs in the bowl with a feeling of relief, realizing that she was actually hungry instead of being sick with worry.
Rocco nudged her affectionately as the others chimed in with their denials that she had anything to apologize for. “It’s all understandable, Cookie.”
“Damn, we need cookies. Did anyone think of ordering dessert for us?” Caesar demanded.
“There’s a cake in the fridge. The chef’s trying out new recipes. He’s already told me to expect a new one every day for a while.” Phoenix grinned. “We even have surveys to fill out.”
“Surveys? They better not ask frilly stuff like is the level of vanilla sufficient to support the flavor profile,” Magnus growled.
Every person at the table turned to look at him.
“What?”
“Flavor profiles?” Rocco repeated. “Anyone who knows enough to talk all fancy is the official representative of the group to speak to the chef.”
“I agree,” echoed around the room in deep male voices.
When everyone looked at her, Sadie raised her hands. “I’ve never purchased vanilla in my life. Don’t look at me. The chef already stopped asking my opinion when I asked if we could have smores kits in the cabins.”
“Smores? That’s a really good idea,” Caesar chimed in. “Do we have a gas stove up here?”
“They’re going to make those kits happen, aren’t they?” Phoenix asked, his brows pulling together in concern.
“Oh, yeah. They thought the ten-year-old-and-under crowd would be very excited by them.” Sadie tried to control the smile that threatened to spread over her lips at their eager response.
“Count me into the flavor profile of a ten-year-old if it includes smores,” Kestrel stated firmly.
The laughter that followed wrapped around Sadie, making her feel like she was one of the group. She stabbed into the beautiful salad Rocco had filled her plate with and ate a large bite as the men continued to chat around her. The delicious flavor bolstered her appetite.
Chapter Fifteen
After dinner, Magnus disappeared. The others didn’t seem bothered by his lack of social interaction. Kestrel and Caesar loaded their dirty dishes onto the cart, and Phoenix wheeled it back to the kitchen with Magnus’s rating scale. The cake had disappeared in a flash. Sadie hoped it would have a permanent spot on the menu.
She swallowed hard when Rocco took her hand and led her to the door that separated his quarters from the common area. Even though she was nervous about the spanking she knew was coming, she couldn’t help but smile at the penguin he had indeed put on his door.