As if it were an everyday occurrence, he strode to the sink and began putting away the clean dishes Gran had washed but never put away.
I watched, dumbstruck and utterly frozen.
Next, he opened the fridge, grimaced at the lack of actual food, and started assembling something edible despite not knowing what it was.
Heat climbed my neck. “Kai, you don’t have to—”
“I know,” he said cheerfully. “I want to.”
He flicked on the stove, melting butter in a pan while humming an unfamiliar melody that sounded better than it had any right to.
Kai moved around the kitchen like he belonged in it more than I did, and I almost hated how right it looked.Almost.
“You’re stressed,” he remarked, not looking at me. “Happens. But you shouldn’t be starving because the government decided to mug you.”
“I’m notstarving.”
Kai rolled his eyes. When did he get so sassy?
“Suuure, because youneverforget to eat.”
As if it had been waiting for its cue, my stomach rumbled and I pursed my lips.Fucking traitor.
He shot me an exasperated look. “When’s the last time you ate?”
“Breakfast.”
“Tori, it’s nearly half past six.”
“… second breakfast?”
That earned me a flat stare, clearly suggesting I was full of shit.
“You need protein,” he determined, cracking eggs one-handed like a showoff.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m fine.”
“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Love.” His smile never faltered, as always, but there was an edge to his words, a low warning.
My mouth twitched. “Make me.”
“After dinner,” he promised.
Despite myself, my core heated and the thrill of anticipation shot through me.
Kai plated the food and slid it in front of me, sitting so close our knees brushed under the table. He was warm and solid, and I liked it entirely too much.
“You don’t have to fix things for me,” I whispered, picking at the eggs.
“Not tryin’ to fix them.” His smile was soft and it hit me deep in the chest. “Just trying to make it a bit less shit for you.”
I exhaled slowly, blinking rapidly against the prickling sensation behind my eyes.
“Kai…”
He bumped my knee with his. “Look, I get it. Pride, responsibility, whatever. I won’t mess with anything you don’t want me touching. But I’m not going to stand around with my dick in my hand while you drown in stress either.”
My throat tightened and I was actually fighting back the tears now.Motherfucker.
