28. Lucy

I was deliciously sore, but in a good way. As soon as we got home, I went upstairs to check on Mom. She was still sleeping, and she looked paler than when I left last night. I trusted Athan and Tarja, but their herbs weren't helping. At most, they were treating the symptoms, but not the infection, I needed to check with them on their new remedies. Tarja usually came in to drink when she got off, so I could ask then.

We'd be losing Ronan at the tavern. The Madame had always been supportive of Ronan's art, but she wouldn't have asked Ronan to come in for a job unless it was art related. If Ronan had asked her instead of Ollie and me, she would have put him to work, but she would have known we'd always let him work at the tavern if he needed it. The Madame wouldn't have stolen him from the tavern unless she had a good reason.

Ollie and I were prepping for the day. I had stew starting and bread baking while he used his contraption to squeeze tomatoes. It was nice. I walked over and kissed his cheek because there was one thing I needed to do.

"I need to check my infusions. I'll be right back."

"I demand to taste it if it's delicious."

I smacked his butt on the way out.

"You know you're my official taste tester. I'll be back up."

I pulled my infusions out to strain them. I officially had the infusion time down. Just mango was good, but it wasn't what I was looking for. The other wasn't it, either. The mango, apple, and mint was the closest, but it still wasn't perfect. It would probably be just right if I threw a cardamom and nutmeg pod in with everything.

I had a lot of supplies in the basement, so I got a new batch started and went back upstairs to help Ollie. Ronan had joined us and I hadn't seen him this excited in a long time. He filled me in on what the Madame had hired him to do and I was just so happy for him.

Ronan loved that kind of art and I knew the Madame would pay well. I was still getting used to them knowing the truth about me. Ronan was so excited, he scooped me up and spun me around. When he set me down, he gave me a passionate kiss.

"Hey, don't leave me out," Ollie sulked.

"Then, get over here and make your move."

Ollie jumped up and smashed me between him and Ronan. Ronan was kissing my mouth and Ollie was kissing my neck. Ronan groaned and pulled away.

"Beck and I have to go see Keeva so she can tell me the fables I'll be painting. Apparently, Beck has some questions for his aunt. Later, okay?"

"I know everyone says it's painful to turn men on and leave them hanging, but it's not really fair for women, either," I moaned.

"Do you have a fetish for kitchen sex? This is the second time you've tried to get me naked in the kitchen," Ollie said.

I punched him in the stomach.

"I'd avoid pissing me off and getting naked somewhere I have easy access to a meat cleaver."

"You're bluffing. No one who has experienced my dick wants to cut it off because they'd miss it. And anyone who sees it for the first time is thinking nice thoughts, not cock-chopping thoughts."

"Ollie thinks his dick changes lives," Ronan snickered.

"It does! But you know sometimes my temper gets the best of me. I want to experience it again, so don't poke me."

"Um, Lucy, the whole point of my cock is to poke you with it. It's kind of how that works."

"I'm going to actually kill you."

"No, you won't."

"Lance could kick our asses, so Lucy can, too. She might not cut your dick off, but she can beat you in a fight."

"True," Ollie said. "It was hot when it was Lance, but it's sexy as fuck knowing it was really Lucy. Wanna wrestle?"

"Wanna wrestle all the angry drunk people if we can't make enough Bloody Marys again?"

"Eww. Why did you have to put that visual in my head when I was trying to be sexy?"

"Would you rather the visual or would you rather be full-body tackled by Leland Strain after he's come straight from mucking out the pig stalls and has had a few in him?"

Ollie shuddered.

"You're just mean today."

"She's not wrong, either," Ronan said. "Leland gets mean when he's drunk."

"You're both wrong for bringing that up when I was trying to get Lucy naked."

"We need rules," I said. "We're together, but we're also running a business. I need the business to be successful because Mom is sick and I never want to have to contact my father. My mom never wanted it and I don't, either. When we're supposed to be working, we're working. Outside of work, we can get up to the other stuff."

"I can agree with that, but I'm still going to flirt."

"Me, too, and probably some kissing, but nothing that takes away from our tasks."

"That's an excellent solution," Ronan said. "I have to go. Beck was in the bathtub when I left, but he should be out now. You take care of your work and I need to handle mine."

I was alone with Ollie again. His contraption really was amazing for making what we needed for the Bloody Marys in mass quantities. I just hoped we didn't run out again. If I could get my infusion recipe just right, I knew it would be just as much of a hit and bring enough money to get Athan and Tarja whatever they needed to cure Mom.

I just needed to get the recipe right first and then make mass quantities of it.