Page 50 of King

“What do you want to eat, Joey?” King asked, already pulling out his phone.

“Big Mac, fries, and a chocolate shake.” Joey rubbed his belly like a kid dreaming of Christmas morning.

King arched an eyebrow at Amara. “Has he been cleared to eat something like that?”

Amara blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the question. “Yeah, he’s not on any restrictions.” She studied King, her gazenarrowing slightly. Most men wouldn’t even think of asking something like that. Even her brother, God, it hurt to think about him, wouldn’t have been that considerate.

King nodded, satisfied, then turned his attention back to Joey. “Alright, kid, Big Mac it is.”

Then his eyes were back on Amara, assessing. “What about you? Do you want to eat now or wait until we leave? I can get you whatever you’d like because you are going to eat.” His tone left no room for negotiation.

Amara opened her mouth, but no words came out. She just stood there, blinking at him like a total idiot.

“Hey, are you okay?” King’s voice softened, his eyes darkening with concern.

“Huh?” she said, immediately cringing at how dumb she sounded. Clearing her throat, she shook herself out of her daze. “Oh, yeah. I’ll just have what Joey’s having.”

King studied her for a second longer before finally looking away, typing something on his phone.

The second his eyes were off her, she let out the breath she’d been holding and turned to her phone, pretending to check anything to ground herself. But there was nothing.

Never in a million years would she have thought she’d like being cared for by a man. She was independent, always had been, and never needed anyone...until now.

Now, she was lost. Afraid.

For six months, she had locked herself away, living like a hermit, terrified of what she was and what she could do to someone ifshe lost control and killed someone for their blood, which hadn’t been the case. She did enough research about half-breeds to scare the shit out of herself.

And now, this man...this warrior was seeing to her needs. Protecting her. Making sure she ate, making sure sherested.

And she...

Shelikedit.

What the hell was happening to her? Her hands shook, making her fumble her phone.

Before her phone could hit the ground, King’s quick reflexes kicked in, and he caught it effortlessly. His sharp eyes flicked from the screen to her, his expression darkening.

“Has someone upset you?” His voice was a low growl, his grip tightening on the phone as he studied it. “Are they contacting you?”

“What? Who?” Amara blinked, still trying to catch her breath. Her heart was hammering like a drum. Why did this man turn her brain into absolute mush? “No, no one is contacting me. You just scared me. I was lost in thought, that’s all.”

King didn’t look convinced. His gaze locked onto her, sharp and probing as if he could see straight through every single one of her defenses.

“Amara.” His voice was a warning now, deep and firm. He wasn’t going to let this go.

With a sigh, she gave in. “Listen, I’m not used to anyone caring if I ate, rested, or was safe.” The words were whispered so no oneelse could hear. “It’s just taking me off guard a little bit, that’s all.”

King’s frown deepened. “You never dated?”

Amara blinked. “What?”

“You heard me.” He arched a brow.

“Well, yeah, of course, I’ve dated.” She snorted, caught off guard by the question. “What on earth does that have to do with anything?”

King leaned in closer, his presence overwhelming, his scent—earthy, masculine, addictive—filling her lungs. “Because those are only a few things a man should worry about when he’s with a woman.” His voice was smooth but edged with steel. “Sounds like you dated mostly boys, not real men.”

Amara swallowed, suddenly very aware of how close he was.

---