Free Cloak & Silence by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page A

applied to a man like him.
    “Mari?”
    He turned with full aristocratic bearing and rose slowly to his feet. “Ture.” He inclined his head to him.
    Confused by his continued stern formality, Ture frowned as he closed the distance between them. “Is something wrong?”
    Keeping a respectful and aggravating distance, Maris leaned down slightly to whisper in his ear. “I don’t know how open you are, and I don’t want to get you into trouble at work with your boss.”
    That was the kindest thing anyone had ever said or done for him in his life. And it explained the conservative clothing that hugged his lean, well-muscled body. And now that Ture thought about it, it looked like Maris had borrowed those somber clothes from Darling.
    In that one moment, Ture knew he was definitely in love with this man. Even though he barely knew him.
    Smiling, he turned his head and captured Maris’s lips with his for a tender kiss before Maris pulled away. “They all know where my taste lies, sweetie. As for the other? I own the restaurant and while I stay pissed at myself for multitudinous reasons, you’re definitely not one of them.”
    Maris returned his smile and noticeably relaxed. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you or presume anything. The way you talk about it, I thought you just worked here.”
    It was true. He did. “Force of habit. I started as a cook and bought it from the former owner three years ago.”
    “Ah.”
    Anachelle returned with his wine and set it down.
    Ture frowned at her. “What did I tell you, missy?”
    She drew back with a guilty look. “I had to go to the bathroom. Sorry.” She scooted over to the corner where another padded chair was set. “Besides, we’re really busy. I should be out there helping.”
    Maris noted that Anachelle made no mention to Ture about Bertram and what he’d done. It said a lot about her character that she kept that to herself, and didn’t seek to harm someone who was obviously unkind by nature.
    “And I don’t want you to jeopardize that baby. Fold napkins!”
    “Yes, sir.” Huffing, she dutifully reached for the cart beside her and pulled a burgundy napkin down so that she could turn it into an intricate star shape. She placed it in a plastic container of other like creations.
    Maris smiled at Ture’s kindness. “I’ve never seen you bossy before.”
    “You’re not the only one who can be commanding.” He wrinkled his nose playfully. “Would you like to see a menu?”
    “Your house. Your rules. I’ll eat anything other than small children and infants or rodents.”
    Ture squeezed his arm. “All right. One serving of mystery appetizer coming up.”
    As Ture headed toward the main cooking area, Maris turned back to Anachelle who watched him curiously. “Is something wrong?”
    “No. I like you a lot better than his last boyfriend. He was a total asshole, which is why I think it’s been so long since Ture last dated anyone at all. And I mean a l-o-n-g time. You seem very sweet.”
    Okay... He wasn’t sure what to make of her or that comment. “I’m not his boyfriend. We’re just friends.”
    “If you say so.”
    “You don’t believe me?”
    She reached for another napkin. “I see how you two look at each other. Even from over here, I got a little singed.”
    Maris didn’t know why, but he really liked her. “Here...” He moved her chair closer to the table then positioned his so that she could put her feet up on his thigh. “You need to keep them elevated or they’ll swell.”
    She arched a brow at him. “Know a lot of pregnant women, do you?”
    “My best friend’s wife is expecting so I’ve done my homework to keep him sane and Zarya from doing something stupid.”
    Her face lit up at the name. “Zarya Starska?”
    “You know her?” Maris asked, surprised by her enthusiasm.
    “Oh, I love and adore her! She used to come in and eat all the time. This table was actually put here just for her... How is my girl? I haven’t seen