Page 47 of Sizzling Desire

I freeze, my heart pounding. Excuse me? Kane is making decisions for me now?

Oh, hell no.

I march into the kitchen, ignoring how damn domestic he looks standing at the stove, shirtless, flipping pancakes like some kind of sexy lumberjack. My eyes betray me, trailing down his bare back to the cut of his sweatpants hanging dangerously low on his hips.

For a moment, I forget why I’m pissed.

Then he glances up, catches sight of me, and grins—like he didn’t just declare himself my keeper.

“Gotta go, Hudson.” He ends the call and sets his phone down. “Morning, Gracie.”

I cross my arms. “You wanna tell me why you’re making decisions about my life without me?”

His brows lift. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because your place burned to the ground and some psycho is still out there?”

“I can find somewhere else to stay,” I argue.

“No, you can’t.” He flips a pancake like this isn’t the most infuriating conversation of my life. “Not happening.”

I bristle, my hands curling into fists. “I’m not your problem, Kane.”

He turns, eyes locking onto mine. “Not a problem, Gracie.”

I swallow hard. Damn him.

“You don’t get to tell me what to do,” I say, trying to ignore the way his stare feels like a touch.

He takes a step closer, closing the space between us. I refuse to back up.

“Someone set that fire on purpose,” he says, voice softer now. “And until we know who, you’re not going anywhere.”

I shake my head. “You’re overreacting.”

His jaw tightens. “Am I? You were crying in my bed last night.”

I stiffen, my whole body flushing hot. “That—” I huff. “That was a temporary moment of weakness.”

His lips quirk. “Oh? And how long do you plan on pretending you don’t need help?”

I hate him. I hate him so much. Because he’s right.

I press my lips together, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response. Instead, I change tactics.

“Why are you even still here?” I snap. “Aren’t you on shift today?”

He shrugs. “Took the day off. Didn’t want you being alone.”

That throws me off balance. For a second, I don’t know how to respond.

Then my stomach growls loudly, and Kane’s lips twitch.

I glare. “Not a word.”

He lifts his hands in surrender, then grabs a plate, sliding a stack of pancakes onto it. “Eat, Gracie.”

“I’m not hungry.”

His brow lifts. “Really? Because five seconds ago your stomach begged me for food.”

---