Page 785 of Love Bites

What had happened to her? Why was she alone in the woods and homeless for so long? When he’d grabbed her, she hadn’t said a word, but he could feel her surprise. The way her eyes went wide. When was the last time she’d been touched? The last time she’d interacted with other people?

His mind churned, desperately needing to understand her.

Eagan tucked the notebook back into his pocket and ran a hand through his spiky hair as he paced the tiled floor. She’d be back. She’d need to eat. And he had a feeling she wouldn’t leave her book.

He knew what to do.

He was going to set a trap and catch her. Make her answer his questions. Make him understand why his jag was chuffing inside, demanding he keep her visit last night a secret.

Eagan rushed to the walk-in to find the leftover stew. All the remaining food from the day was open to whoever wanted it. Usually cats who’d missed dinner would come scrounging for it, but it was so late, they were likely done for the night. Piling his arms full of cobbler and biscuits, he brought it all to the counter. Luckily, it was still warm.

Reaching over the counter, he pulled down some to-go containers, filling the first to the brim with the hearty stew he’d made for the lodge. He added a drizzle of sour cream and a sprig of parsley before putting the lid on. The second container, he filled with Bailey’s cobblers. One piece of each, in case his female didn’t like one of the flavors. He bagged up several biscuits and added them, along with a napkin and utensils to the pile of offerings.

Rubbing his palms together, he stood back, looking at the food. Something was missing.

Ah, yes. He snapped his fingers, and then bent to retrieve a small saucepan. Setting it on the stove, he turned the burner to low and went to the pantry for chocolate. He broke the bar into pieces and added them to the pan, pouring in milk and a dash of vanilla and cinnamon. The early October nights were chilly. She’d appreciate his specialty hot chocolate to keep her warm.

Damn. His stomach cramped at the thought of where she must live. The cats knew these woods like their own names. If she was in a tent or a cabin, they’d know of it. And she was certainly nearby or she wouldn’t frequent the lodge for her necessities. He imagined her holing up in a cave or sleeping in the trees like fucking Katniss or something.

A protective instinct rose up in him. He didn’t know her or how she came to be such a clever thief, but the need to help her clawed at him inside. He couldn’t rat her out to Magic. Not yet. Not until he at least tried to make this better.

Eagan shook his head.

As adept as she was at stealing, she was probably fine. But he had to know for sure. Food was the way.

He stirred the chocolate until it was smooth and steaming, and then he poured it into a foam cup. He added a dollop of whipped cream, another sprinkle of cinnamon, and then the lid.

There. Everything was perfect.

He cleaned up the new mess he’d made, jotted a note for his thief, took one last look at his work, and then forced himself out the door.

She’d come tonight. He knew it. The book was too important.

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