Air of Seduction (Elemental Enforcers #3)

Chapter 4

Payton

I try my best not to fidget and seem awkward while the server fills the table with various dishes, hot and cold. From the few glimpses I’ve caught through the windows, I’m not sure where exactly in London we are, but it’s clear that it’s an expensive neighborhood, and I have no experience socializing with the rich.

Thankfully, there’s only one fork and one knife to choose from, so I don’t have to worry about making a wrong choice. My upbringing didn’t include more than one set of cutlery at any given meal, and it hasn’t been a priority for me to learn the dining etiquette of the upper class since.

“Please, help yourselves.” Aidan waves his hand at the huge amount of food on the table.

People, indeed, start helping themselves, and I breathe a silent sigh of relief at the informality.

“What would you like?”

I start at the sound of Ronan’s deep voice close to my ear. Turning to look at him, I notice his plate is still empty. “I’m not sure. I don’t usually eat breakfast.”

“Why not?” His turquoise gaze locks onto mine and holds it captive.

My heart speeds up, and I have to take a deep breath before I can get any more words out. “I’m not usually hungry in the morning. What are you going to have?”

He leans a little closer and speaks in a low voice, like he’s sharing a secret that no one else is supposed to know. “Something with bacon.”

I can’t hide my smile. If he’s trying to help me relax, he’s succeeding. “Something? What kind of something?”

He shrugs. “Doesn’t really matter. Everything tastes better with bacon. I tell you what. I’m going to close my eyes, and you’re going to choose something for me and put it on my plate.”

My eyes widen as I stare at him. “What? You can’t be serious.”

He closes his eyes, sits back in his chair, and crosses his arms. “Go on, choose something. And please make it quick. I’m hungry.”

I stare at him for another few seconds, expecting him to open his eyes and tell me he’s joking. But he doesn’t. “Fine. But you have to promise me to eat whatever I put on your plate.”

He nods. “I promise.”

I study the various dishes on the table. It’s a lot of food for only seven people. There’s bound to be a lot of leftovers. But then my eyes land on the pile of food on Aidan’s plate, and I’m suddenly not so sure there will be.

The temptation to pick something that really doesn’t go well with bacon is almost overpowering, but I don’t fall for it. Ronan doesn’t deserve that. Not after everything he’s done for me, and what he’s promised to do.

I select a couple of fried eggs, a grilled sausage, two hash browns, and my personal favorite, grilled red tomatoes. And last but not least, several crispy slices of bacon.

Strictly speaking, he only told me to choose something to go with his bacon, but I hope he’ll be pleased that I put some bacon on his plate as well.

“You can open your eyes now.” I watch his face as he does what I tell him.

He surveys the food on his plate before lifting his gaze to mine with a small smile curving his lips. “You managed to select all my favorites. Well done.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, you’re lucky I’m feeling generous today. I was considering giving you some oatmeal with bacon on top, or a chocolate croissant with added bacon stuffing.”

His laughter takes me by surprise. Wrapped in the warm rumbling sound, I can do nothing but stare as his severe features soften with his amusement. Right before my eyes, he’s just transformed from exceedingly handsome to the most gorgeous man to have ever walked this earth.

It’s not until his laughter dies away that I notice the room has gone completely quiet. Looking around, I see all the men in the room staring at Ronan like he’s just levitated off his chair or something.

“It’s nice to hear your laughter again.” Aidan’s expression is serious. “It’s been too long.”

I look back at Ronan, but his focus is now on the plate of food in front of him. He picks up his knife and fork and starts shoveling food into his mouth like a starving man who hasn’t seen a scrap of food in years. But there’s no sign that he’s actually enjoying his meal.

I want to ask him what’s wrong, but I can already tell he’s not going to answer me. His playful side, which was there a minute ago, has vanished, and he might as well be sitting alone for all the attention he pays the rest of us.

To avoid coming off ungrateful for not eating, I put a couple of grilled tomatoes on my plate. I’ve barely taken the first bite when the chair next to me is pushed back, and Ronan gets to his feet.

“You’ll have to excuse me. I’ll be back shortly.” Then he storms out of the room like he can’t get away fast enough.

I shiver with a sudden chill, like he just took the heat in the room with him when he left. It’s not like I know Ronan, but I still feel like I know him better than I know any of the other people in this room. Sitting here at the table without him doesn’t feel right, and I have to push down my urge to make up an excuse to leave.

Forcing my shoulders to relax, I put another piece of tomato into my mouth and chew. Olivia. She’s the reason I’m here and the reason I’m not going to leave. These people are going to help me rescue her, and that’s why I’m going to sit right here and eat with these people like I belong.

“Thank you.”

Markus’s voice draws my attention. He’s staring directly at me like he’s talking to me, but that can’t be right. Why would he feel the need to thank me?

“Thank you for whatever you said to Ronan to make him laugh.” His smile is genuine. “It’s been many years since I heard that sound coming from him.”

“Years?” I frown. That can’t be good.

“Yes.” Markus nods. “He lost someone dear to him many years ago, and I’ve barely even seen him smile since it happened.”