Page 25 of Stryker
He let out a snort. “Heathen. No way.” He cracked several more and pulled out a spatula and began to turn them in the pan.
“Don’t forget the salt and pepper,” I said.
He arched an eyebrow at me. “Did you know if you salt them right away the egg actually starts to break down? Trust me, eggs are my thing.” He flashed that wolfish grin again and I lifted both shoulders. I didn’t even have eggs all that often.
He continued to fold them before quickly moving and grabbing some fresh chives. He chopped them, switching between that and stirring the eggs ever few moments. From the fridge he grabbed a container of something white. He held it up toward me. “Crème fraiche. It’s the secret ingredient.” With a spoon, he added a generous dollop of it to the eggs in the pan before adding the chives. A moment later he added salt and pepper, then set the pan aside off the heat and grabbed a bowl out of the cabinet.
He served up the eggs and pressed the bowl into my hands, along with a spoon. My mouth watered as the scent of the food hit me full force in the nose. My stomach rumbled and I picked up a bite. They were fluffy, almost like a foam. I popped the bite in my mouth. Instantly, saliva flooded from every inch of my mouth.
I swallowed it and stared at him in awe. “This is incredible.”
He nodded, a smile on his face.
“Thank you. How did you learn to cook like this?” I took another bite, unable to help myself. He tapped his nose.
“Incredible sense of smell. It works wonders. Plus, I love cooking shows.”
I must have looked at him funny because he jerked a shoulder upward. “Don’t ask,” he said. “Helps me calm down after a bad day.”
“I’m not judging.” I never watched the food channels because I didn’t have them for one, and for two, never having enough to eat, I’d decided not to torture myself with things like that.
“So what happens now?” I asked, leaning back against the counter.
“Well, usually people sit and eat.” His grin grew and I made a face at him.
“Funny man.” I walked out into the living room and sat down on the couch. “Now, what is going to happen next with the whole you protecting me thing?”
He sat down in a chair diagonal me and we both moved to point our knees toward each other. I was thankful he wasn’t sitting right next to me; the urge to touch him was so strong I didn’t know if I could stop myself. Then again, the heat in his eyes warned me he felt the same way.
“Honestly, I’m not sure.” He hesitated and I sensed there was something he wanted to say. I continued to eat. I wasn’t in any rush and didn’t see a need to try to push him to talk.
“I can’t believe you stood up to him like that.” He studied me, a whole new light of pride in his eyes. “Were you afraid?”
I shook my head. “No. I know you’re the good guys. But I think he’s losing his way. And if that means you’re all losing your way, then I want to help bring you back from the brink.”
“That’s… noble.” He sounded impressed but the sad edge of his voice bothered me.
“I owe you everything. If I can help, I want to help.” There was something else. Something knotting up my gut and twisting painfully. “No matter what happens, it’s not your fault. You’re doing the right thing. If they can’t see it… well, maybe this will be what it takes to remind them they’re the good guys, not the bad ones.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Fear does strange things to people. Fear can make a good man evil, if he gives into it.” I laughed. “I sound like a fortune cookie.”
“But you’re right. They’re scared. And I know why.” He knew why, but he didn’t seem willing to share and I didn’t push. Instead, we sat in silence while I finished eating my eggs.
“You know, I kinda like you a little bit.” I smiled at him as I set my empty bowl on the coffee table. This odd feeling of it being Stryker and me versus the world didn’t bother me. It told me that no matter what, I could trust him to have my back. No matter who we were defending against.
He chuckled. “I like you a tiny bit too.”
“Just a tiny bit, though, right?” I asked, loving this easy back and forth. He could be fun, he could be serious, he could be exactly what I needed when I needed it.
He nodded. “Just a tiny bit. Don’t get too full of yourself.”
“Right. Wouldn’t want to get a big head. After all, that’s your territory.”
He let out a suspicious choking noise and I smiled sweetly at him. “Everything okay?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he moved to my side and pulled me into his arms.
