Page 29 of Cold Foot King

“We are a mess,” she told him through a soft smile.

“We are a work in progress,” he corrected her.

“We’ve been through something together that would be hard to explain to someone else.”

He nodded. He understood completely what she was saying. Kat didn’t have to say anything else, and neither did he. King nodded again.

“Sleep?” she asked.

“Yeah. Sleep.”

He followed her into the hallway and scanned the key card for her, opened the door, and let her in. He grabbed a pillow off the bed and went back to the door.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I’ll sleep right outside the door. You’re safe, Kat. I swear it. No one will mess with you.” It was an easy oath to make. She didn’t know how much he liked her already, but pushing her too far too fast would make her close up like a little clam, and he would be damned if he let that happen. She needed some time to process, and honestly? So did he. Those apologies had been a huge moment for them. He needed to think on everything without seeing her sleeping form, or being tempted to touch her. And right now? If she leaned in even an inch, he would ask to touch her skin.

The timing wasn’t right. Today had been an emotionally-charged day. He’d freaking died today.

She peeled the top blanket off the bed and handed it to him.

“Everything you do is just right.”

He didn’t understand the moisture that rimmed her pretty eyes, but he appreciated the compliment. “Trying. I’m not perfect, by any means.” He offered a teasing smile to ease the heaviness of the moment. “I’m a murderer, remember?”

“About that. You know I’m going to ask you more questions about that. Mentally prepare yourself. I’m nosy.”

He laughed and made his way outside. His fingertips pressed lightly on the swinging door as he turned and told her, “Goodnight, Kat.”

“Goodnight, Kingston.”

And then he made a pallet right in front of the door, rested his hands on his stomach, and stared at the ceiling. His head was feeling better. Maybe it was the water, or maybe it was just watching her let her walls down that was healing. Whatever it was, he was grateful.

Kat was special. He didn’t know why the breeding program had chosen her for him. It had been both of their first times, and it had happened right before they escaped? He’d told her where the vent was. He’d told her just in case, but what had possessed him? His only currency in that godforsaken place was knowledge. He’d felt so bad about how lost the both of them had become with each other, he’d whispered the location of the vent, not knowing she would be able to use that information so soon.

He'd never believed in fate before, but today had him second-guessing everything.

Chapter Five

Someone kicked his foot. “Did the wifey lock you out?”

King inhaled sharply and sat up, startled. Looking around, he didn’t recognize the hallway for a few moments. This wasn’t his cell. Where was he?

The familiar face kneeling down near him brought everything back. Wreck.

He groaned and rubbed his eyes, wishing on everything that it would make this stupid headache go away. It was back with a vengeance.

“She isn’t my wifey, and she didn’t kick me out. I volunteered.”

“Seems uncomfortable.”

King draped his arms over his bent knees. “I’ve lived in a cell on a cot with no mattress for three years. This is luxury.”

“Touché. Come on,” Wreck said, standing.

“Where?”

“Wherever I want to take you,” he said without turning around.

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