Page 7 of Goldie and Her Bears (Dirty Paranormal Fairytale Haremlan 3)

“Look, you’re outvoted,” I said as Chase dished up a bowl of fish stew. “Cassie can have my bed. I’ll take the couch. I’ll feed her, give her some of my clothes, and she can at least be warm for the night. Tomorrow morning, I’ll escort her, myself, to wherever it is she needs to go. She’ll be out of your life for good after that.”

“She had better be,” Kai said, getting close enough our noses nearly touched. “I’m holding you responsible for her and any damages that come from her staying here.”

“Fine,” I said, unflinching. “Can I go now? Stew is getting cold.”

That was the key to him. You had to refuse to back down and give him the satisfaction of intimidating you. Not many people can handle Kai and his temper. The only two I know of were standing in the room. I was one of them.

Kai huffed and stormed out of the room before me. Not long after, his bedroom door slammed shut.

I sighed and shared a brief glance with Chase before taking the food to Cassie. She kept herself pressed into the corner of the couch. Her eyes were as wide as a mouse, taking in everything. She was still terrified. I couldn’t blame her. I held out the bowl of food to her and she took it. I took a seat next to her and smiled.

“Eat up, buttercup. You’re going to need your strength for tomorrow,” I said.

“You’re going to take me?” she asked and then took her first spoonful of stew. From there, the conversation was forgotten. She downed the bowl as though it was her first meal in months. But that was Chase’s cooking. It did that to everyone. Especially to someone who loved food. And judging by her curves, she did. I admired a woman who loved to eat.

“Want some more?” I asked once the bowl was empty. “There’s plenty.”

Her eyes widened. “Please?”

I smiled as I took her empty bowl. “I’ll be right back.”

I walked into the kitchen and dished up another bowl as Chase scarfed down his while standing against the counter.

“She wants seconds?” Chase asked.

I nodded. “Yup.”

“I love a woman who can eat,” he murmured between bites of stew.

“Likewise, my friend,” I said and returned to Cassie’s side with her second bowl.

“Thank you,” she said, staring at me with her bright blue eyes. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“In a moment. I wanted to make sure you got plenty first,” I said. “Besides, I like watching you eat.”

Her cheeks reddened and I kicked myself for blabbering. I cleared my throat and tried to find something else to focus on and talk about.

I stammered. “Uh… Anyway, when you’re done eating, you can change into some more comfortable clothing and get some good sleep.”

Her eyes widened. The blue within them glistened. “I think I’m done with sleeping.”

“Nonsense,” I said. “You need to sleep to regain energy. You’ll be safe. I promise.”

“I don’t know about that,” she said, shaking her head very slowly as her eyes drifted toward the hall where Kai locked himself within his room.

“Kai won’t bother you for the rest of the night,” I offered. “Besides, I’m giving up my bed for you.”

Her gaze snapped back to mine. “What? Why?”

I shrugged. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”

“Where will you be sleeping?” she asked nervously.

I chuckled. “On the couch. I’m a light sleeper too. So, even if Kai tries to pull anything, I’ll hear the squeak of the door and stop him.”

She blinked as she seemed to process everything. Finally, she let out a breath and said, “Okay.”

“Okay.” I smiled.

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