Air of Seduction (Elemental Enforcers #3)

Chapter 23

Ronan

A huge grin splits my face when I see the text from Payton. Lucas told me to text you our breakfast order. Is that okay with you?

I respond immediately. Of course. What would you like? It’s the perfect excuse to see her, if only for a moment, and I think that was Lucas’s intention. I’ll have to remember to thank him later.

Something with bacon. Be creative. She’s added a winking emoji.

I bark out a laugh, drawing the attention of the other people gathered in Aidan’s office, but I ignore them. So, anything goes?

Sure. And bring something for yourself as well (if that’s okay with you). Olivia would like to meet you.

I stare at the text while my heart does a strange little dance in my chest. Her friend wants to meet me? That has to mean something. Okay. I’ll be there ASAP. Hope you’re prepared for a culinary experience you won’t forget.

A big smiley face appears on the screen.

After putting my phone away, I grab the communicator from Aidan’s desk.

“Care to share?” Aidan chuckles.

“No.” I quickly enter the breakfast dishes I would like the kitchen to prepare and hit send . Then I stand and hurry out of the room, without giving any kind of explanation.

I don’t have time for their questions and comments right now, and since Noah is present, it’s better if I don’t say anything. I don’t think he’ll be pleased to find out I’m having breakfast with his mate, and he isn’t invited.

I take the stairs three at a time and arrive at my suite in record time. My clothes form a trail on the floor as I hurry to the bathroom. I need a shower and fresh clothes. Something nice but casual, suitable for breakfast with the most beautiful woman in the world without being pretentious.

I’m in and out of the shower in two minutes before heading to my wardrobe. There’s not a lot to choose from. I’m not a dressing up kind of guy. Jeans and a T-shirt are my normal attire, with a hoodie if it’s cold or it helps me blend in. But right now, I wish I had something a bit more refined to wear.

Letting out an annoyed huff, I grab my best jeans and a turquoise T-shirt that complements my eyes. It’s the best I can do on short notice.

After checking my phone, I groan. Five minutes. I’ve only spent five minutes getting ready, and the food will take longer than that. Aidan’s kitchen staff is amazing, but they can’t work miracles.

I move over to the window and stare at the people hurrying along the sidewalk outside. It’s hard to believe it’s only been twenty-four hours since I was standing here waiting for Payton to wake up. I didn’t even know her name then, and I thought she had Patricia’s eyes.

But now I’m no longer reminded of Patricia when I meet Payton’s dark-brown gaze, because Payton is nothing like the woman who died almost two centuries ago. Where Patricia was soft and compliant, Payton is strong and determined. And I suspect the difference in attitude is one of the reasons I can’t get Payton out of my mind and no longer understand the appeal of the other woman.

I turn around and stare at the empty couch. My heart rate is elevated in anticipation of seeing Payton again. The effect she has on me is more profound than I’ve ever experienced before with anyone, and having to wait a few minutes is making me restless to the point of irritation.

Losing my patience, I stomp over to the door and open it. The corridor is empty, as I knew it would be, but I’d rather wait out there for the food I ordered than stay in my suite. Leaning back against the wall, I cross my arms and try to relax, but it’s almost as difficult as it would be to tell my body to go to sleep in the middle of a battle.

Finally, after what feels like hours, the elevator doors slide open, and Maria steps out with the cart. I smile when I see she’s prepared it exactly the way I specified. But then I wouldn’t expect anything less from her.

I push off the wall and walk toward her. “Thank you, Maria. I can take it from here.”

She returns my smile. “Very good, sir. I hope everything is to your liking.”

“It looks perfect. Thank you.” I take the cart and roll it over to Payton and Olivia’s suite before knocking on the door.

A few seconds later, the door opens, and I lay eyes on the woman I’ve been thinking about constantly since I left Olivia’s apartment. “Good morning, Payton. Ready for some breakfast with bacon?” I wink at her.

She chuckles. “Absolutely.”

“Then open the door for me, little rose.”

Her eyes widen, but she does what I requested.

Gently lifting the cart across the threshold, I look down to hide my own surprise at what I just called her. Where did that come from?

But the name suits her. Her full red lips remind me of the vibrant color of a red rose with its thorns representing her strength and resilience.

I lift my gaze as I roll the cart toward the dining table and catch sight of Olivia standing next to the table. “Good morning, Olivia.”

There’s a smile on her face when she approaches me. “You must be Ronan.”

She sticks her hand out, and I take it in a firm handshake. “I am.”

Payton reaches for the lid of one of the covered dishes on the cart.

Wrapping my fingers around her wrist, I shake my head. “Oh, no. Let me do that. I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving.” She pulls her hand back and lifts an eyebrow at me in expectation.

“Well. As promised.” I lift the first of five lids to reveal a large platter of crispy bacon. “And to accompany it.” I remove the next three lids in turn, showing the large bowls of cereal underneath.

Payton’s eyes widen in disbelief, clearly not expecting me to get very creative with the breakfast menu, even though she gave me permission to do so.

I chuckle. “I can see you’re not impressed, so it’s a good thing I had the kitchen prepare something else as well. And I know you like this with your bacon, since you recommended it yesterday.” Removing the last lid, I watch Payton’s face as the large bowl of steaming oatmeal comes into view.

Surprised laughter bursts from her as she shakes her head. “Recommended? It was more like a threat.”

“Really?” I feign astonishment. “I could have sworn—”

“Ronan.” Her smile is wide, but her eyes are glittering with mischief. “Please, take a seat at the table and close your eyes. You might’ve brought the food, but you’re still a guest in our suite, so it’s only right that I serve you.”

I throw my head back, laughing. I fucking love how she threw my joke right back at me. “I’ll let you serve me in a minute, but first I’ve got something more to show you.”

Throwing a glance at Olivia, I notice she’s following our interaction with a small smile on her face.

After putting the food on the table, I turn back and yank the long white tablecloth off the cart, revealing the lower level. Without removing the lids, I move the four plates to the table.

“Will you do the honor?” Looking at Payton, I indicate the still-covered plates.

She narrows her eyes at me. “More cereal? Rice pudding? Danish? I can think of several things that don’t go well with bacon.”

I chuckle. “You won’t know until you take the lids off.”

Without another word, she uncovers the dishes. A happy smile spreads across her face when she sees the pile of grilled red tomatoes.

“You seemed to be partial to those.”

She directs her smile at me, and my heart flutters in my chest, spreading a wave of heat through my body. “You noticed.”

I nod. “I did.”