HerEternalWarrior by Marisa Chenery Read Free Book Online Page A

The inside
was just as gorgeous as the outside. It was also spotlessly clean from what she
could see of it in the huge foyer.
    She turned and looked at Tor. “If you tell me you do all the
housecleaning here on top of knowing how to cook, don’t be surprised if I get
down on one knee and ask you to marry me.”
    He caught her around the waist and pulled her close. “What?
You only would want to marry me for my domestic skills? You can’t think of
anything else I have going for me?”
    Kenna lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck.
“Well, now that you mention it, you do have a killer body.” She took a deep
breath. The smell of something heavy with spices and utterly delicious filled
her nose. Her stomach growled again. “Whatever you have cooking in your kitchen
smells to die for.”
    “Come on,” Tor said, then released her. “I better feed you
before you pass out from lack of food.”
    She followed him past the two curved staircases that led to
the upper floor and to the spacious kitchen. All the appliances were
stainless-steel. The oven was gas and looked to be chef quality. Obviously, Tor
took his cooking very seriously. And what he had in the oven made her mouth
water.
    “Take a seat at the island,” he directed. “I thought we’d
have our first course here. That way I can keep an eye on the other food while
we eat.”
    Kenna took a seat on one of the tall stools at the
marble-topped island. Tor placed a plate of pita bread cut into triangles along
with another filled with hummus in front of her. She loved the chickpea dip.
She picked up a piece of the flat bread and dipped into the hummus. It made her
taste buds sing.
    Once she swallowed, she said, “This is really good. Did you
make it from scratch?”
    Tor nodded. “Of course. I also made the Egyptian-spiced
chicken that is in the oven from scratch as well.”
    She looked at him. “You’re Egyptian, aren’t you?”
    “Yes, but I haven’t lived there for a great many years.”
    “I thought maybe you were, especially after seeing the
tattoo on your chest. I wasn’t sure of your accent, though.”
    “My accent has faded a bit the longer I’ve stayed away from
the land of my birth. Plus, I don’t speak my native language much.”
    “Have you ever gone back for a visit?”
    “No. I haven’t found the time.”
    “I’ve always wanted to go to Egypt.” She smiled. “I think
part of the reason why I chose to apply for a job at the Luxor was because of
the pyramid and Sphinx. But don’t tell anyone that. They’ll think I’m just
being silly.”
    Tor leaned toward her. “If you think that’s silly, you’ll
think this is even worse. I have purposely driven by the hotel for that same
reason. They remind me of home.”
    “I guess we have that in common.”
    “Yes, and our love of beer,” he said with a wink. “Eat up.
The main course will be done shortly.”
    Kenna had more hummus than she should have, but enjoyed it
so much she had a hard time stopping. That course done, Tor led her to a
spacious dining room just off the kitchen. It was already set with plates and
cutlery. Once he seated her, he returned to the other room and came back with a
platter of chicken and roasted potatoes. In a large serving bowl were steamed
mixed vegetables.
    The chicken breast tasted as to die for as it had smelled
while cooking. It tasted of lemon, and if she wasn’t mistaken, also beer along
with a bunch of spices she couldn’t single out. As she ate, Kenna had to admit
Tor was a better cook than she was.
    After they ate their fill, Kenna wiped her mouth on a cloth
napkin. “That was really good. If I eat any more you’ll have to roll me out of
here.”
    Tor chuckled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I told you I knew
how to cook.”
    “That you did. I’m hoping you’ll make us another meal
sometime.”
    “I’d be more than happy to. Let’s go sit out on the back
patio and let our food settle.”
    Kenna nodded and stood when Tor did. He led