27. Marina

Marinas hands moved with practiced efficiency as she chopped vegetables. Usually the monotony of the task, along with the clatter of pots and pans and the sizzle of frying food, calmed her down and centered her, but today it wasnt enough to distract her from thinking about Peter.

Reaching for another tomato, she placed it on the chopping board, but as she lifted the knife, she heard the kitchen doors swinging open. It could have been anyone, but she knew it was Peter even before she turned around.

He strode in with his typical swagger, a broad smile on his handsome face, and looking good enough to eat.

Everyone seemed to pause for a heartbeat, every pair of eyes flicking toward him and then quickly back to what they were doing before the interruption.

Peter didnt seem to notice, his focus on her and his smile getting broader the closer he got to her.

A flutter of anticipation stirred in her stomach.

Without a word, he took the knife from her hand, put it on the chopping board, and pulled her to him for a quick kiss. I missed you too much to wait, he murmured against her lips.

Behind his back, several of her friends snickered, and the indignant huff had no doubt come from Mila.

Take it outside, the cook barked in Russian. You have five minutes.

Chuckling, Marina rested her forehead against Peters chest. Mila told me to take it outside.

Peter turned around to look at the cook and dipped his head. Spasibo.

Mila waved him off with her mixing spoon, a stern expression on her round face, but Marina caught the slight twitching of the cooks lips. She wasnt really mad.

As Peter took her hand, she smiled at Mila and mouthed Spasibo as well.

This time, Mila allowed her lips to lift in a lopsided smile.

Outside, he led her to the small alcove they had discovered during one of his previous visits to the kitchen.

Leaning against the wall, he spread his legs and pulled her between them. I need to kiss you.

You just did.

That was just a taste. His hand wrapped around the back of her neck, and then his lips were on hers.

Marina closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, the tips of her fingers playing with the strands of hair on the back of his head.

He needed a trim.

For a moment, his hands settled on her waist, but they didnt stay there. His fingers stroked up her sides, skimming the swell of her breasts and eliciting a moan, which he caught with his mouth.

She tightened her hold on his neck to bring him closer so she could rub her hardened nipples against his chest, but the thick fabric of her apron was in the way.

They had made love that morning, and yet the kiss ignited a hunger in her that had her forgo caution and lift one leg to wrap it against Peters waist, so her achy center was aligned with the delicious bulge in his pants.

Marina. He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. I cant get enough of you.

Me too, she said breathlessly and then sighed. Unfortunately, I think the five minutes are up.

What a shame. The look he gave her was lustful, but it was also so tender and full of feeling that it made her heart flutter.

Could it be that he was falling for her?

Did his emotions run as deep as hers?

Probably not. Immortals didnt fall in love with humans, and she would never be his mate, but she wouldnt mind being with him as his lover, or a friend with benefits, or even his housekeeper whom he occasionally shagged.

Scrap the occasional part. She would accept daily shagging as payment for her cleaning and cooking services.

You didnt bring the dress, she said, to hide the manic laughter bubbling up in her throat.

I forgot. Peter grinned. Which means that I have an excuse to whisk you out of the kitchen again.

Mila will chase you off with a rolling pin in hand.

No way. He planted a chaste kiss on her cheek. She likes me.

Of course, she did. Everyone liked Peter. What was there not to like?

Back in the kitchen, she ignored the knowing looks and the smirks as she walked over to her station and resumed chopping vegetables for the salad.

She was lost in the rhythm of her task when Amanda breezed into the kitchen to give last-minute instructions for tonights wedding and check that everything would be ready on time.

When she was done, she walked over to Marinas station and leaned against the counter. Are you accompanying Peter to the wedding tonight?

Marina shook her head. We are understaffed, so I cant get tonight off, but I will be there tomorrow. She regarded Amanda with a challenge in her eyes, waiting for the lecture about how inappropriate it was for her to date an immortal.

Its a shame that you cant be his date tonight. I havent seen Peter so happy in a long time.

Marinas eyes widened in surprise. Amanda was an important immortal, the sister of their leader. If she wasnt against Peter dating a human, then maybe others wouldnt be either.

She schooled her expression to hide her surprise. My friend Larissa was supposed to accompany Jay, but shes in the same situation as I am. She watched Amandas expression to see if her reaction would be different to yet another human and immortal pairing.

Im sure that Jay is thrilled, Amanda said, sounding genuine.

Larissa surely is, but if she doesnt find something nice to wear, she might not attend. Marina sighed. Thanks to Peters cousins generous contributions, Im covered, but none of their dresses will fit Larissa. She turned to smile at her friend across the kitchen.

Following her gaze, Amanda also smiled at Larissa and gave her a small wave hello. I will ask around for her, Amanda said. Perhaps I can scavenge something for her to wear.

That was so kind and unexpected that Marina was lost for words for the second time in mere minutes.

Thank you so much. Can I do something to repay your kindness? Does your cabin need sprucing up? Do you need breakfast delivered tomorrow morning?

Amanda laughed. Thank you for the offer, darling, but my butler would be mortified if anyone tried to take the job of sprucing up and making breakfast from him.

Amanda had her own servant on board?

Oh. I didnt know that you had a butler.

Onidu rarely leaves the cabin, Amanda said. Hes also my nanny.

You are lucky to have such a capable person in your employ.

I know. Amanda pushed away from the counter. Ill see what I can find for Larissa and come back. If not today, then tomorrow.

Thank you.

As the doors flung closed behind the gorgeous brunette, Marina sighed. It must be nice to be a princess.