Page 3 of Pursued By the Sasquatch

“Yeah, but this one was a gift. I just needed to adjust it slightly.”

“Who gifted you a car?” It was a rude question. Intrusive. Luke had always berated me for asking too many questions. For being too nosy. I was ready to apologise, but he was already answering.

“A friend from the office. He was sick of watching me driving all hunched up because I refused to get a new car. So, when he bought a new one, he gave me this and access to all his tools, to chop it up.”

“That’s sweet. He must be a good friend.” I had friends. But not willing to give me a car friends.

“We’re all tight at the office. We need to have each other’s backs. I don’t know what I’d do without them. We’re family.”

A stab of envy ran through me. I pushed it down. My family consisted of parents far too interested in drinking and partying to pay much attention to me. I’d always largely taken care of myself. And often them when they were hungover. I’d run as far away as possible as soon as I turned 18 and never heard from them since.

I stole a glance at the Sasquatch driving me, just in time to see his eyes flicking away from me. Was he judging me? A criminal? I’d only seen kindness in his eyes so far, but maybe he was just good at hiding his thoughts. Was this my life now? Wondering if everyone I met was judging me?

“It’s going to be ok, you know?”

His voice was soft, but still somehow impossibly deep. Tears pricked at my eyes again and I sniffed. I saw the large body next to me tense and pulled my feelings back inside myself. He obviously didn’t want to deal with a sad, crying client.

I glanced back at him. He was so large. Big hands turned the steering wheel, and I thought about how they would wrap around my wrists so easily. I turned away again, embarrassed about where my thoughts had taken me. I hoped the cold wind whipping against my face would cool the blush I was sure was spreading there.

When we arrived at my apartment, Kiy rushed around the car to open my door for me. It felt incredibly sweet, given that he’d just bailed me out of jail. I angled my head up to look him in the eyes. They were hazel, speckled with green. Beautiful. “Thank you for driving me home.”

“My pleasure.”

The intensity of his gaze sent a flush of heat through me. “Would you like to come in for a coffee?” I wanted to be polite, but expected him to say no.

“Yes, thank you.”

Surprised, I took him up and opened the door. I was met by chaos. My chest tightened as I surveyed the wreckage of what had once been my cozy, tidy home. The police had ripped everything apart. Furniture was all over the place. Drawers emptied. A part of my carpet had even been ripped up. I couldn’t speak. A large hand rested gently on my shoulder.

“It’s ok, we’ll sort it together.”

“No, no, it’s fine. It’s not your problem.” I took a deep breath to steady myself. I couldn’t cry again today.

“It’s not, but I want to help. Let me help you.”

I spun to look at him. My heart thudded in my chest as I met those intense eyes that seemed to bore into my soul. He meant it. A flash of pain shot through me. Weak. I was weak, needing help. That’s what I’d always been told by my parents. Grow up and deal with yourself was the constant mantra that I heard. I wouldn’t be weak.

“No. Look, let me make you that coffee.” My voice sounded stronger than I felt.

Kiy’s eyebrows lowered into a frown, but he nodded and followed me into the apartment. As I shuffled around in the kitchen, trying to find where the coffee had ended up, I glimpsed him placing himself politely on the couch that now faced the wall. I grimaced. He must have caught my expression as he laughed, stood and with terrifying ease, picked up the whole couch and spun it around to face the rest of the room.

I couldn’t help but smile as he politely sat again and raised his hands to show he wouldn’t do any more. He was trying to respect my wishes. That felt nice. As he sat, once again, I couldn’t help but think about how big those hands were. Those fingers. As I handed him his coffee, our hands brushed together briefly, and I could have sworn that we both let that touch linger a bit. I know I did, but it felt like he did too. A little shock of electricity ran up my spine. I didn’t dare look him in the face.

I sat in a slightly off angle chair and sipped at the bitter liquid. It was almost too hot to drink, but the burn down my throat grounded me. The silence stretched out, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I was glad to have some company for the moment. Usually, having people around made me anxious. But I felt soothed‌. As I looked around the room surveying the mess, a sense of calm ran over me. A feeling that it was going to be ok.

I looked up into the concerned eyes of the monster opposite me and a tingle ran down my spine. It was him. Him being here made it feel better somehow. He cleared his throat and looked awkward for a moment. “I need to ask you something.”

My heart sank.

Chapter 4

Kiy

I don’t know why, but it felt like the most difficult question I’d ever asked. “Could I take you for breakfast tomorrow?”

Fern blinked, surprise clear on her soft features. “Oh, umm yes. That would be nice.”

Relief washed over me. It meant nothing. It was just breakfast. But the fact that even that small step was acceptable to her felt like I’d won a marathon. I watched her again as she sipped her coffee. Her curves were devastating. I thought if I could touch her, then it would bring me to my knees. The thought made my mouth water. Her eyes briefly met my gaze before she looked down at her coffee again.

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