Resisting the Alpha Triplets by Cara Anderson

Ch. 23 Culinary Adventure

Clay’s POV

Mallory came out of the bathroom looking good enough to eat. Her dark brown locks were pulled up in a low twist, a few wispy strands hanging loosely around her face. Her sun kissed skin glowed without a speck of makeup other than some shiny lip gloss that made her plush lips look even more kissable. And the thigh length, red baby doll dress she wore made her legs look impossibly long.

Noticing us staring at her, Mallory narrowed her eyes as she looked back and forth between Cary and me. I tried to stop the bit of drool from escaping but the way she was scrutinizing me told me she hadn’t missed me ogling her.

“This is not a date!” She insisted. “I’m giving you the gift of my time as a thank you for actually being nice to me last night and not trying to take advantage of my emotional vulnerability.”

I looked at my brother who was studiously ignoring my gaze. But I wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easily. He’d tried to make me think he’d slept with her to make me jealous but he was full of shit.

“You fucking liar!” I growled at him through the link.

“I didn’t lie! I never said I fucked her.” He chuckled back, unfazed by my irritation. “I just held her all night, with her pressed up against me while I breathed in her amazing scent. Best night’s sleep I’ve ever had.”

His voice took on a dreamy quality as he talked and jealousy flared within me. That was an experience I wanted for myself and hearing him describe it made me want it even more. And I was determined to make it happen very soon.

“Don’t worry, little wolf. We don’t care what you call it. We just want to spend time with you.” I told her honestly.

She still looked a little incredulous but nodded her head.

“Let’s go then.” She agreed. “Wait, where are we going?”

“You’ll see.” Cary shrugged, earning another suspicious glance from Mal, but she still followed us warily.

“Where are we going, bro?” I linked Cary, curiosity eating at me.

“Just back to the packhouse.” He stated bluntly. I didn’t respond, just let my confusion flow through the bond, prompting him to elaborate. “That’s where Colton will be and it will drive him mad to hear us having a good time with Mal without him.”

My lips curled into a smirk. Leave it to Cary to know exactly how to push our surly older brother’s buttons.

“Well, since I have no ability to shift and neither of you have a car, I suggest you share the plan so I’ll know where to drive us to.” Mal’s acerbic tone recalled our attention.

“Fine.” Cary grumbled.

Mallory looked unimpressed when Cary shared the plan but didn’t comment on it. We all climbed in her car and I slipped into the passenger seat beside her, forcing Cary to take the back seat which earned me a snarl from him. Not that I cared. It was every man for himself, or wolf, as the case may be.

It was my first time being in such a small, enclosed space with Mal and her powerful scent flooded my senses. I kept shifting in my seat to try to hide my hard-on from her, she smelled so delicious. Memories of our kiss came rushing back and I couldn’t wait to taste her again.

“Fuck me! This car is drenched in her scent. If we don’t get out of here soon, I’m gonna blow just from the smell of her.” Cary’s voice in my head sounded urgent.

“Mmmhmm.” I grunted back painfully, unable to form words.

I practically bolted from the car the second she pulled to a stop.

“Fuck!” Cary cursed out loud as he fumbled with his seatbelt, his fingers slipping in his hurry to release it.

“Okay, we’re here. What’s the plan?” Mallory questioned impatiently.

“The plan, darling, is to have a little culinary adventure.” Cary said, taking her hand and leading her inside. “Our parents have had a lot going on lately and we’ve haven’t exactly made things any easier on them. I thought we could make them a nice dinner and set it up on the terrace for them.”

“Wow! That’s really thoughtful!” Mal said, looking mildly shocked. “What’s on the menu?”

“I was thinking roasted rack of lamb, potatoes dauphinoise and steamed asparagus. You’re in charge of dessert.” Cary announced.

“Wait! Are you serious? Can you guys really cook all that?” Mal asked dubiously.

“You’d be surprised what we can do, little wolf.” I told her, leaning in close and wrapping an arm around her waist.

The bewildered expression on her face was so fucking adorable. I was buzzed at the chance to show her I was actually good at something besides fucking around. The excitement must have gotten to me because I kissed her temple without even thinking about it and practically dragged her into the kitchen.

I started pulling out ingredients while Cary gathered the cookware we’d need. I could feel Mallory’s eyes on us while we worked and I loved knowing I held all her attention for the moment. I just hoped I was impressing her. Finally, when I couldn’t take it any more, I turned around to see her staring back at me with a stunned expression.

“What’s the matter, little wolf? Never seen a man cook before?” I teased, stalking toward her.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to do when I reached her but I just needed to be in her space. My fingers itched to reach out and touch her.

“No, actually, since it was just me and mom growing up.” Her eyes flashed with a hint of pain when she said that, but it passed and quickly morphed into amusement. “But I certainly never would have expected it from you.”

“Just one more thing to love about us. You’d never go hungry.” I winked at her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her close for the briefest moment.

“Okay, Gordon Ramsey. I’ll admit I’m impressed but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” She said, pushing against my chest to escape my embrace only to find Cary waiting to capture her in his.

“What about you, darling? Dessert isn’t going to make itself. What are you planning to make?” He asked, holding her back to his chest and hooking his chin over her shoulder.

As he stood there holding her in his arms, I could feel Colton’s presence lurking in the hall, right outside the door. It occurred to me then that Cary was a lot smarter than anyone gave him credit for. My wolf told me that Kai, Colton’s wolf, was begging him to join us but my brother was still being stubborn. I could feel his longing through our bond though, and I knew it was only a matter of time until he gave in.

“We’re making a croquembouche. It is a special desset for special people. But it’s at least a two person job. Three is even better.” She craned her neck to look up at him smirking, her words pulling my attention away from our brother’s presence.

I watched in awe as she zipped around the kitchen, measuring this and stirring that expertly while Cary and I followed orders, leaving a path of destruction in our wake. When it was all said and done, there was flour and spun sugar everywhere. But the tower of little pastries filled with chocolate cream looked exquisite.

The three of us stood shoulder to shoulder, staring at the disaster with matching looks of horror on our faces. It was going to be a bitch to clean up. So, in typical Cary fashion, he decided to make it worse.

He walked tentatively toward the counter with the biggest pile of spilled flour, Mallory and I following behind, resigned to our fate. When suddenly Cary turned, a handful of the white powder in his palm, and threw it at us. What ensued over the next ten minutes was nothing short of juvenile, irresponsible, and ill-advised, but the smile on Mallory’s face was so worth it!

We all laughed until we cried, our shoulders shaking as we struggled to catch our breath. When the hilarity had finally worn off and the reality of our now gargantuan task sunk in, Mallory grabbed a rag and began wiping down the counter. I moved to join her, but Cary had other ideas.

A predatory fire lit his eyes and I could feel the possessive energy from his wolf as he stalked toward her, caging her in with his arms. My nostrils flared as something between fear and arousal filled the air around Mallory. Then Cary leaned over to murmur in her ear, and ruined the entire day.