Rising Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 1) by Amanda M. Lee Page A

you like to cook for Paris’ benefit, but she knows you hate cooking, too. Don’t bother.”
    I made a face. I was pretty sure an insult was buried somewhere in there. “I don’t hate to cook,” I argued. “You enjoy cooking so much that I let you do it because I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”
    “You decided to cook breakfast last week and didn’t bother looking at the expiration date on the eggs,” Aric reminded me. “Do you remember what happened?”
    “You threw up.”
    “That was the first time you even attempted to cook in the past year,” Aric said. “I say we go another year before you try again.”
    “You were going to let me make strawberry shortcake last night.” I decided to try a different tactic. “Why is tonight different?”
    “Strawberry shortcake involves cutting up strawberries that I know are fresh because I bought them and then dumping some sugar on top and sticking the bowl in the refrigerator,” Aric said. “That’s not cooking.”
    “Well, what are we having for dessert tonight?” I asked.
    Aric smirked. “It’s a surprise.”
    I hate surprises. “What is it?”
    “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.”
    “Come on.”
    “You two should have your own television show,” Paris said, reaching for the cutting board on the counter and dumping the bag of potatoes out on top of it. “If you’re willing to do it on camera you could make millions with all of the sexual chemistry oozing around this place.”
    Aric grabbed me around the waist and hoisted me up on the counter, ignoring Paris’ comment. “Trouble, if you don’t touch any of the food I’ll make it worth your while later,” he said. “Just sit there and entertain me with that talented mouth of yours.”
    Paris jerked her head up and Aric realized what he said when it was too late to take it back.
    “I’m just glad I didn’t say that in front of my father,” he grumbled.
    “Why?” I rolled my eyes. “He would’ve patted you on the back and said, ‘Go get her, sport,’ and you two would have high-fived and complimented each other on your machismo.”
    The corners of Aric’s mouth tipped up as he fought to keep from smiling. Finally, he gave in. “Is that what you think men do when they hang out together?”
    “Yup.”
    “Why is it you can have fantasies like that, but I can’t have fantasies about you being naked in the hot tub with another woman?”
    “Wait, am I the other woman in this scenario?” Paris asked.
    “You were until I found out you were trying to sacrifice my girlfriend,” Aric replied, keeping his eyes glued on me.
    I blew out a frustrated sigh and grabbed his chin, forcing his gaze to remain on me. “Let her off the hook.”
    “No.”
    “She knows she did the wrong thing but she’s been trying really hard to make up for it,” I said.
    “How?” Aric was incredulous. “As far as I can tell all she’s done is offer to make potatoes and corn, and watch you get struck by lightning eighty times. That’s still creepy, by the way.”
    I made a face.
    “Zoe, I don’t understand how you can expect me to forgive the woman who brought danger into our home,” Aric argued. “This is where we are supposed to be safe. This is where I promised to keep you safe. I officially broke my promise last night. Don’t you understand that?”
    I didn’t, not until he said the words. I knew something was bothering him in addition to the lightning. He was trying so hard to be brave that I missed the other emotions roiling through him, even though they floated at the surface.
    “Maybe that was a promise you could never keep,” I suggested.
    “That doesn’t matter,” Aric seethed. “She brought danger into our home. You could’ve been killed.”
    “I wasn’t. You weren’t either. She made a mistake.” I tightened my grip on his chin so he couldn’t jerk away. “We’ve both made mistakes. We gave each other second chances. Paris knows she did the wrong thing. She was