Page 15 of Kai's Hunger

On impulse, I said, “How about we start with dinner and see how things go?”

Kai’s eyes widened, clearly taken off guard. “You trust me?”

Did I? “You had lots of chances to do all sorts of evil things to me and yet you didn’t,” I stated, keeping it vague. As I started to get down from the table, Kai closed the distance and put an arm around my back, helping me. Once I was on my feet, I looked at the pair and asked, “So, do I get a tour of this place, or what?”

Kai’s eyes warmed and his lips tilted up into a sideways grin. God, that was hot. “I look forward to showing you our home, Lily.”

Creeg pointed toward the door. “I’m going to let Miggs know to set another plate.”

After he left, I glanced down at my disheveled clothing and grimaced. “I must look like the walking dead. I need a shower and a fresh outfit. My suitcase is in my van though.”

He cleared his throat. “I took the liberty of bringing it in for you.”

Exasperated with the man, I sighed. “It’s in the guest room, isn’t it?”

He had the intelligence to look apologetic at least. “I was hopeful,” he murmured as he stroked his index finger down my cheek, distracting me beyond reason. “You are very pretty. And I would like to spend more time with you. Are you angry?”

Out of self-preservation, I reached up and gripped his hand. That small connection between us intensified and I had to concentrate on my words to keep from stuttering. “I should be. I should leave right now.”

Kai turned his hand over and entwined our fingers. As if he had the right. “But?”

My breathing increased and tendrils of heat unfurled inside me. “I’ve never done anything even remotely impulsive or adventurous. My entire life has been spent in Walnut Ridge. I’ve never ventured outside my safe little world.” I smiled at him. “I like the idea of being spontaneous.”

He winked and tugged me closer. The nearness, his manly scent, it all overwhelmed my senses. “I will make you glad you chose me to be spontaneous with.”

I believed him. Kai was sweet and kind, but there was a wildness to him, too. An untamed part of him that lay just out of my reach. What would it be like to watch him lose control? Maybe I was biting off more than I could handle, but for once I wanted to take the leap. Damn the consequences.

Kai escorted me out of the clinic and into a large foyer. I noticed three closed doors. “Where do those lead?”

He pointed to the one on the left. “That’s Wyatt’s office.” He nodded toward the middle door. “That’s Creeg’s bedroom. He prefers to be close to the clinic in case of emergencies.”

That made sense, I supposed. Pointing to the third door, I asked, “And that?”

“Is where we’re headed,” he explained, taking me there. He pulled it open to reveal a staircase on the other side. Kai smiled. “This leads to the main floor.”

I scanned the area, seeing it differently now. There were no windows and the tan walls were stone. “We’re in a basement?”

He started up the steps, but he didn’t let go of my hand. I was glad. My nerves were rattled, and I wanted to lean on him for strength. “Tell me more about your home,” I urged, curious about him.

“Our house has three levels,” he began. “The main level is the kitchen, living room, and game room. The upper level houses our apartments.”

Surprised, I asked, “Apartments?”

When we reached the main floor, Kai stopped and turned toward me. “We choose to live here together, but we prefer to have our own living spaces.” He gestured toward the large room we’d entered. “The living room.”

Brown leather chairs and a large couch were situated around an entertainment cabinet and bookshelves. A wet bar in the far right corner held delicate crystal glasses and several bottles of alcohol. The dark, wide-plank flooring looked expensive. Most of all though, the room appeared lived-in. As if Kai and his brothers spent countless hours together. What would it be like to be a part of a close-knit family like the Ravenbriars? I had no experience with that sort of life. I roamed around the room and noticed several framed photos on shelves in the entertainment cabinet. A few I recognized of Kai and Creeg. Then I saw one with three men standing together, laughing at something. All had dark hair and similar facial features to Kai, but they appeared younger. I picked up the picture and showed it to him. “Are these your other brothers?”

Kai closed the distance and took the picture from me. “Miggs and Trakker. That’s Cage in the middle. We were celebrating Cage’s birthday.” He replaced the photo on the shelf. “If I remember right, Cage had a few too many drinks and woke up with a nasty hangover.”

“You all look so much alike,” I replied, staring at his mouth. “Except for the chipped tooth.”

“Got it in a fight with Wyatt when we were younger.” He shrugged. “Anyway, the house is more of a compound. The clinic, the common area, and our personal quarters.”

Strange that anyone would choose to live like that. “But why not have your own homes?”

His brows drew together. “That’s a discussion for another time. Allow me to show you to your room.”

He was keeping something from me, I could feel it. I let the subject drop for now, but no way was I letting Kai off the hook entirely. As we headed for another set of stairs, I couldn’t help but watch Kai move. His jeans molded to his backside. And he had one fine butt. Firm and squeezable. As we reached upstairs, Kai gestured to a door to our right. “That’s your room,” he said, turning the knob and allowing me to precede him.

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