Page 14 of Kai's Hunger

Chapter Three

Lily

I woke with new aches and pains, thanks to the hard table. The cold clinical surroundings sent a shiver down my spine. Confusion and a growing unease gripped me as I tried to piece together how I had ended up here, my memory a hazy fog. The stark, white walls closed in, and a sense of vulnerability settled over me. I’d been having the strangest dream. A wolf-like beast with glowing red eyes. The image instilled fear in me. I started to sit up, but the big, warm hand closing around my forearm prevented me. Kai. He sat next to the table, visible tension creasing his brows. He absently fiddled with a small object in his hand, his fingers moving restlessly. I cleared my throat and Kai’s head shot up. His smile sent all my erogenous zones into a tizzy. Oh, boy. I’d have to be very careful with that devastatingly sexy grin.

“You were out for three hours,” he explained softly, tucking the object into his pocket. “Feel better?”

“The headache isn’t so bad, but I’m sore everywhere else,” I admitted. “A combination of lying on this table and the car accident, I suppose.”

Kai helped me sit up, then asked, “You hungry?” Right on cue, my stomach chose to embarrass me with an obnoxious growl. Kai chuckled. “I think that’s a yes.”

My cheeks heated. “I am, but I feel like I’ve put you out long enough. I can be on my way if you’ll let me borrow a phone.”

His smile disappeared and his brows drew together. “Do you have someplace to go?”

Family? Definitely not. A friend or two, but they were back in Walnut Ridge. And I’d promised myself I wouldn’t go back. I let out a heavy sigh. “No, but I could get a hotel or something. Until I figure out what to do about my van.”

He reached up and touched a lock of my hair before saying, “There is no need to spend money on a hotel room when you can stay here. I have a guest room.”

Jeez, he’s offering his home to me?“Seriously, why do you even care? I’m a stranger. You know nothing about me. And I don’t know a thing about you.”

His head tilted to the side. “You can’t guess?”

My heartbeat sped up at his seductive tone. It awakened all sorts of images inside my head. “I don’t—”

The door swung open, putting a stop to my blundering. Creeg walked in and grinned when he saw me. “You’re up.”

Kai didn’t take his gaze off me. Didn’t even acknowledge his brother at all. I attempted to ignore the heat arcing between us and focused on Creeg instead. “I was just telling Kai that I need to use a phone.”

Creeg’s smile fell as he glanced at Kai. “Yeah?”

“I told her she could stay with us.”

Creeg nodded as he lifted my wrist and checked my pulse. After a minute he said, “A little fast, but steady.” He placed a palm on the back of my head and tilted it until he could stare into my eyes. “Any blurred vision? Headache?”

“None. I’m feeling much better.”

“She’s hungry,” Kai said as he got to his feet. “She can eat with us.”

“Of course. You’re in luck, it’s Miggs’ turn to cook. He made pot roast.”

“I haven’t agreed to stay with you.” I glared at Kai. “You’re a little pushy, do you know that?”

“Yes, but it’s a good plan. You can rest here while your van is being fixed. A friend of ours has a shop in town. He’ll give you a good deal.”

“Did you ignore the part about how I don’t know you? You’ve been very kind, but I’d be stupid to take you up on your offer.”

“Why? We already established that you’re safe here,” Kai ground out.

Creeg cleared his throat. “I believe she feels awkward about staying with six strange men, Kai.”

I waved a hand toward Creeg. “Finally, someone more reasonable.”

Kai ran a hand through his hair, mussing it beyond hope and somehow making it look even sexier. “I understand your concerns,” he acknowledged. “I do. But we are an honorable family. My brothers wouldn’t hurt you.”

I could see I’d somehow injured his pride. It was clear in the way he took a step back, his spine stiffening. Why did I even care? I didn’t know him and yet it bothered me that I’d doubted him. If I were thinking logically, then Kai did have a point. He’d taken me in. His brother had stitched me up. They’d watched over me while I’d slept. Not once had I felt as if I were in danger. Did I dare trust him?

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