Felix shrugs, dicing up more ham. “It never amounted to anything.”
But it sounds like he maybe wanted something to happen. Kade clenches his teeth, a spark of jealousy streaking through his veins. His wrists prickle, and he swallows. “So you’re going back to them?”
“Maybe. They may have some new networking opportunities,” Felix says, stepping over to look into the pot. Kade wants to hold him tight and never let go. “You may add the onions in now.”
Kade drops them in, and it’s definitely the sizzling onions making his eyes water. He stirs the food, watching as Felix drifts off to rinse some tomatoes. He wants to say something to make Felix stay in Meadowfall, but he doesn’t know what. His brother? “Taylor’s gonna miss you if you go.”
Felix shrugs. “Taylor’s not around anyway. And it sounds like he met someone he likes... I just hope they’re doing okay. They’re working for different sides.”
“That sucks.”
“It does. But they’re fucking, though, so that’s a plus.” Felix chuckles. He sobers a few moments later, scooping up the diced ham and setting it into a bowl next to Kade. “I’m worried for him. It’s not as though they’ll end up anywhere if they’re on opposite sides.”
Kade grimaces. He’s met Taylor on a few occasions, but he’s always liked Felix’s brother. Taylor shouldn’t have to choose between a mate and his job. “He knows what he’s doing,” Kade says. “You don’t have to worry about him.”
Unlike Felix, because Felix has always been a little less headstrong than his brother. He and Taylor may both be omegas, but Felix doesn’t have the self-preservation instincts his brother does, and that’s probably why Kade was drawn to him in the first place. Felix is someone he can protect, and Kade wants to be needed. It’s not something he can ignore.
“Thanks,” Felix murmurs. He leans against Kade’s arm, resting his head against Kade’s shoulder. Kade wants to sniff at him. Right now, all he smells are Italian spices, onions, and meat, and it’s not enough. Felix shifts. “I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier. I shouldn’t have.”
“It’s fine,” Kade says. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Add the bell peppers next,” Felix says. “We’ll drop all the meat in, then the vegetables and the chicken stock, and bring it to a boil. It’s a pretty simple recipe, really. Oh, and don’t forget the oregano and more Italian seasoning.”
“Sure.”
They take turns scooping ingredients into the pot, before adding cartons of chicken stock. When Kade cranks the heat on to high, Felix says, “I think you’ll make a really good husband, you know. You cook so well.”
Kade’s stomach flips, and the ring sits heavy on his chest. “You think?”
“I don’t think. I know,” Felix says. He turns away, his cheeks flushing, and it steals the breath from Kade’s lungs. Felix isn’t... interested, is he? Because he had accepted the flowers, and he’s talking about husbands now, and... Kade’s heartbeat drowns out everything else.
“Really?” he asks, throat tight.
“Really.” Felix wanders off across the kitchen, his back to Kade, and he’s grabbing his phone, fiddling with it. “I mean, someone out there will be really fortunate to have you.”
But not you? Kade’s nails bite into his palm. He turns back to the pot, stirring the ham and tomatoes and oregano, watching as they swirl before him. “Really?”
“Because you’re strong,” Felix says, his face hidden. “And you’re smart. And you love your bike. And you make all these silly jokes. And...”
Do you hear what you’re saying? It feels like Kade’s chest is gaping open. You’re interested, aren’t you?
“Come see if the soup is done,” Kade says, trying to breathe. He wants his mate closer, wants them to be truly bonded again.
When Felix pads over, his hair falling into his eyes, Kade steps away, fetching a bowl from the cabinet. Felix ladles some boiling soup in, puckering his lips to blow on it. Then he sips the soup, eyelids fluttering shut, and a smile spreads across his face.
“This is delicious,” Felix purrs, sipping again. “It won’t be ready until it sits for another hour or more, but oh, gods this is good.”
He stirs the soup, before scooping a full ladle of it into his bowl, then another. Kade follows him to the kitchen table, watching as Felix sets it on the clean tablecloth.
“It’s not ready, but it’s good?” Kade asks. The rest of the soup is now simmering on the stove, and it’ll be a while before all the flavors meld together. But it does smell savory, like sausage and tomato and rosemary. Felix is almost through with his bowl when Kade reaches out for it. “More?”
“Mm. Yes.” Felix hands the bowl over, dregs of soup swirling at the bottom.
Kade ladles more soup into the bowl. Before he sets it down at the table, he tries a spoonful of red-orange broth, tasting the faint spice of oregano and thyme, the acidic flavor of tomato, the meaty chicken stock. In a few hours, the soup will saturate with the rest of the flavors—the ham, the pepperoni and sausage, and maybe Kade should return for another taste of it.
“It’s good, isn’t it?” Felix asks, kicking his legs out. He grins, eyes bright. Kade sets the bowl in front of him, watching as he slurps it down with a spoon, a smile curving his mouth.
“Not bad,” Kade says, but all he can think about is Felix’s smile. “Probably will be better tomorrow.”
“I wanted to eat it all now,” Felix says, grinning.
“That hungry, huh?”
“Mm-hm.” Felix tips the soup into his mouth.
Halfway through, he slows, licking his lips. “I think I’ve had enough to stop the craving,” he murmurs, reaching up to curl his fingers into Kade’s shirt. Felix tugs on it, pulling him down, and Kade kneels in front of his omega, breath catching in his throat.
Felix kisses him.
It starts off slow, Felix’s mouth brushing over his, nipping at his lips. Kade slides his hand up behind Felix’s knee, the warmth of Felix’s body
