Page 14 of Kristoff

“Sit down.” He taps the spot where I slept. “Since you’re hiding out, I assume we can’t have you downstairs where someone might recognize you.”

Ugh. The statement gets my feet moving. It’s the only way I manage not to squirm.

After I settle in, he hands me a plate holding a more moderate portion of scrambled eggs, German sausage, sliced tomato, thick buttery toast, and gravy. Holding back the urge to shovel in a mouthful, I take my fork, spear a slice of sausage, and top it with egg. Manners. I spent so much time drilling the importance of manners into my students, I’d be the worst kind of hypocrite if I acted like a cavewoman…last night doesn’t count.

“Mmmm.” Either the food is fabulous or I’m starving. “This is delicious.” I tuck in, as if I hadn’t eaten in days. Thinking back, I haven’t had any food in twenty-four hours or so.

“Harlan, my brother, knows you’re here.”

The ball player. I slow my chewing. I had to deal with some jerk moves while dating during college. Is it the same thing now? Because it seems weird to have him discussing what we did, with his brother.

“He heard us,” Kristoff adds, as if he’s reading my mind.

Ugh.

“At some point.”

Which is an incredible reminder we went at it several times last night. Apparently loud enough for others in the house to hear us. “Oh God.” The fork slips out of my hand as the fluffy egg turns to cardboard in my mouth.

“Didn’t mean to drop that on you.” He hands me the coffee cup. Like handing a hot ceramic mug to someone who’s out of sorts is the best idea.

Though his expression is basically neutral, he’s holding back. Maybe he’d be grinning if I wasn’t freezing up like a virgin with morning-after regrets. I take a sip of the hot coffee, letting the heat sooth me from the inside.

I’m not a prude. Never have been. But I’ve never spent the night with anyone. Never had to do the walk of shame. Of course, in this case, I have no escape, which makes things infinitely worse.

If not for the drug in my system, I never would have…jumped him. I can’t believe I literally jumped him without even knowing who he was. My entire face burns. “I um…” I swallow hard. “I never would have acted...” The unsaid words echo in my ears, taunting me.

“Now that,” he says, picking up where I faltered, “would have been a shame.”

My gaze shoots to him. The heat in my face levels off to a low simmer. He takes the cup and returns it to the table.

Leaning in, he reaches toward me and cups my head to bring me in for a kiss. The moment his lips touch mine, in a possessive and slightly aggressive kiss, the world tilts on its axis. Which, with him, means everything’s okay. My breath hitches, my heart’s beating at a firm tempo, and the taste of him fills my senses. This is a vivid reminder of why I lost all inhibitions with this man I know nothing about.

He pulls back and I have the insane urge to lick my lips.

“I didn’t want you to be surprised,” he explains, inches from my face. “So I figured I’d let you know.” He sits back, picking up his fork. “Harlan has a way of saying too much, and you’re bound to bump into each other if you’re staying the night.” He pokes at a piece of sausage and brings it to his mouth.

His statement is more of an apology. I suddenly feel bad for putting him in this predicament.

Last night wasn’t just a one-night stand. It was a dirty hookup, the kind with no names and no plans to ever have a repeat performance. It would have ended exactly there if I hadn’t basically passed out in his arms after the most amazing sex of my life.

Warmth moves throughout my body.

I wouldn’t change a thing, even if I could. The pill just let me do what I wanted without my head and my inhibitions getting in the way.

That doesn’t change the fact I have to leave tomorrow morning, or that I need to find a way into his office for the rest of the pills before then.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Kristoff

By the end of the day, we’ve settled into a loose routine. Breakfast upstairs with Brianna, checking the cabinet, moving the key, and fixing the back door take up the morning. Although Brianna explained she came in while Harlan threw out the trash, I have added peace of mind, knowing we’re more secure. Still, I’ll have to talk to him about the door. This time, a sexy runaway came in. Next time, it could be someone looking to do us harm or an animal wandering out of the jungle.

After lunch with Brianna, I’ve been rearranging the stockroom and waiting for the food delivery due this afternoon.

Harlan hasn’t said a thing, which in and of itself is odd. I’m going to count my blessings because he always has something to say about everything.

Celia has been quiet, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary for her. If we talk about what’s happening, it’ll be all over her face. The girl can’t lie to save her life. Which has been one of the things going through my mind over the last couple of years we’ve been keeping a low profile. One wrong word to the wrong person, and we’re done.

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