The words come out rougher than I mean them, but Christ, it’s the truth. I want her here. In my space, in my quiet, in every inch of the life I’ve kept locked up.
Her lips curve into a soft smile. “Then we’ll get your meal prep situation fixed. I have contacts. They can make you healthy stuff, easy to heat, drop it off once a week. No one invading your space.” All I can think about is how damn beautiful she is. She continues. “There’s this spot around the corner that makes amazing quinoa bowls. I could grab some on the way to you.”
“That sounds grand,” I say, still reeling at how easily she slips into caring for me. Like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“How do you feel about quinoa, salmon, veggies, carrots, zucchini, beet—?”
“Anything sounds good, kitten, as long as dessert is included.”
“Oh, you have a sweet tooth.” She beams. “I’ll find you something yummy. Send me a pin with your location, I’m going to shower, I can be there in about an hour.”
“Aye. I’ll see you soon.”
She hangs up, and for a long second, I just stare at my reflection in the black screen. Then I’m moving, checking the counters, the table, the couch. Not a thing out of place.
I grab my phone again, send her my location.
A moment later, it pings back.
Kitten:
YOU’RE FOUR BUILDINGS AWAY FROM ME?!
Me:
Surprise.
Then I add another message:
Me:
$200 sent - Dinner’s on me.
Kitten:
How much do you think this quinoa bowl costs? I only need about a third of that.
Me:
Keep the rest. Use it to feed that caffeine addiction of yours. Now, hurry up, shower, and come home to me.
Chapter 29
This man is insane.
I drop my phone onto the bed and start pacing in circles around my room.Clearly, I am insane too, for agreeing to this in the first place.
The first time we’re going to be alone in his apartment? Who evenam I?
I’m still pacing, hands tangled in my hair, when Marianna bursts in.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she demands, eyes narrowing.
“I just agreed to go have dinner with Rogue,” I say, voice high and panicked. “At his apartment.”
Her eyes go wide. “What?When?”
“Like… now. In an hour.”
