Page 11 of Kiss the Dawn
Holly smirked and followed him out.
I want details,Merry mouthed before hurrying after them and leaving me alone with Kaster and Lorenzo.
Lorenzo stretched and glanced about the kitchen. “We need a kettle and coffee.”
I’ll go get some supplies from my place,Kaster said.Won’t take me long.
Coffee was my anchor. “Thank you.”
Lorenzo looked between us, confusion etched across his features.
I’ll leave you to explain that one, Kaster said with a smile.
And then there was just me and Lorenzo.
“He’s mute, isn’t he?” Lorenzo said.
“Yes. But we can mindspeak.”
His brows went up. “Interesting and…intimate…”
My cheeks heated. I didn’t want to talk about Kaster and what we no longer had. “Kaster is a friend, that’s all. Now tell me what our travel plans are.”
Stayingbusy was key because all I could think about were my friends. What if Shay hurt them even more before Crush got to them? How many minions did the bounty-hunting bastard have with him? He had to have several to keep Padma and Edwin from kicking his ass unless…Unless he’d done more than take a square of their skin.
It was a vicious cycle, and there was no exit until we got word that all was all right. So I helped set up sleeping bags in the sitting room, ripping open the plastic covering and inhaling that brand new fabric smell that would probably give me a headache soon.
Holly and Merry had done more than buy sleeping bags though. They’d picked up a lamp, a small coffee table, cushions, and a throw and were busy deciding where everything should go.
They obviously needed to keep busy too.
Hemlock had retreated onto the balcony. I’d been tempted to join him, but my gut told me he needed a minute. The man was not a people person, and this, the crowd in my suddenly snug apartment, might be a little too much for him.
Kaster and Lorenzo clanked about in the kitchen putting away plates and cutlery, extras from Kaster’s place. He’d even brought his coffee machine. Theyworked side by side, somehow communicating without saying a word.
The bags set up, I stood hands on hips to survey our handiwork. Five sleeping bags were neatly laid out around the sofa with extra pillows. There was a duvet on the sofa for anyone who wanted to sleep there.
I took a breath and inhaled the delicious aroma of coffee just as Kaster presented me with a mug.
I took it gratefully.I need this.
I know.He offered me a small smile, and my heart throbbed with longing for what we’d almost had.
He lightly touched my cheek.I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere.
I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch.I miss you.
I miss you too.
I wanted to argue that we could do this, be together, have a relationship even while I opened my heart to Ezekiel, but there was a part of me that wasn’t so sure. A heightened part that understood that if I continued down a path of intimacy with Kaster, I would lose myself in him and not want to surface.
I couldn’t risk that. Not until Ezekiel was free of his curse.
Kaster glanced over my head at the balcony.He’s been out there for a long time.
Are you hinting I should go check on him?
Don’t you want to?
