I glanced over and saw his eyelids doing the sleepy dance. Mr. Confident wasn't used to the lull of late-night driving. He'd be out cold in a few minutes. I was looking forward to another round of silence. As hard as it must have been for Kas, it was difficult for me too.
A man from another world was sitting in my truck. Yup, still processing that. It had only been a day. Maybe it would sink in by morning. And hopefully, Kaspian's attitude would improve by then as well.
But I wasn't going to hold my breath.
Chapter Nine
Kaspian was still a little pouty when I woke him up. He had indeed fallen asleep on the drive home and didn't get up even when the garage door rumbled down. I woke him with caution. If he was one of those guys who got violent when abruptly woken, he could do some serious damage. But Kas only scowled at me and looked around.
“Ah. I see. It was not a dream,” he muttered.
“No, I'm afraid not.” I patted his shoulder. “You're still here. Sorry. But come on. You've got a better place to sleep than my truck.”
Kas stumbled after me into the house, and I helped him out of his new shoes and clothes so he could crawl into bed with only his underwear on. I appreciated the view, but I was even more tired at that point and as soon as he was in bed, I hurried out. By the time I got to my room on the second floor, I was loopy. I got my shoes off, then passed out on top of the covers, fully dressed.
Sometime in the middle of the night, I woke up enough to get my jeans off, but then it was right back to dreamland for me. Although, I didn't dream. Too tired for that. When I woke up the next morning, it felt as if I'd only just gone to bed. Except for being refreshed, of course.
With a jaw-cracking yawn, I sat up. Then I yelped.
Standing in my doorway was a huge, handsome man from another planet.
“Holy shit,” I hissed. “You scared the shit out of me.”
Kaspian wrinkled his nose.
“Again, it's a saying. Not literal.” I got up and pulled off my T-shirt.
In boxers and socks, I pushed by Kaspian and went to the main bath. He followed me.
“I am . . . I feel . . .” Kas cleared his throat.
“Can you feel out there?” I waved at the hallway. “I gotta do my business. Unless you wanna watch me pee. No judgment. Everyone has their kinks.”
He scowled and stepped back.
“Not your thing?” I chuckled and closed the door on him.
When I opened it again, I was even more refreshed, thanks to the emptying of my bladder, the brushing of my teeth, and the water I splashed on my face.
“Okay, what's wrong?” I pushed past him again, to go back into my bedroom and over to the closet. “You feeling some anxiety over your situation?” I dropped my boxers. Then I bent over to pull on the fresh pair.
“I, uh.” Kas made a soft, strangled sound.
I grabbed a pair of jeans and looked over at Kas. Yup, that little flash had been enough to remind him that I was hot too. With a good night's sleep under my belt, I was ready for round two of our hunger games. May the odds ever be in my favor. I took my time choosing a shirt to wear, giving him a good look at my back and chest.
Finally, Kas managed to string a sentence together. “I have thought about what you said last night.”
That got my attention. I pulled a classic white collared shirt off its hanger and turned to look at him as I slipped into it. “And?”
“And I can see how my behavior might be misconstrued here. By you. A human with no king. I know that you are not one of my subjects. I should not have assumed so much with you.”
I snorted and got my boots on.
“I would like to start over.”
“All right, buddy. No problem.” I patted his chest as I walked past him again. “Come on. Let's get some breakfast. I'm starving.”
“I am quite hungry as well,” relief filled his tone.
