Page 24 of Tamed By Her Touch

“There was more than I required.”

Clair lifted the lid. Underneath was a generous helping of blue pasta from the café where Kat had taken her on her first day aboard the Mother Ship. It was Clair's favorite Kindred dish and Kaelus knew it.

She narrowed her eyes at him.

“You accidentally got too much of my favorite food?”

“I did not say accidentally.”

“Kaelus…”

“I simply don’t want you fainting from lack of nutrition while we’re working together,” he said stiffly. “That would necessitate me carrying you to the Med Station, which would interrupt my research.”

“Oh, I see.” Clair nodded thoughtfully. “So the only reason you’re feeding me is to facilitate your own research.”

“Exactly!” He nodded triumphantly and then his golden eyes narrowed. “I would not have to do this if you would take better care of yourself. You have not eaten today,” he growled.

Clair frowned.

“What? How do you know that?”

“You arrived at precisely seven-oh-eight this morning,” he said. “Since that time you have consumed three large cups of coffee, one small piece of what you call a ‘muffin,’ and nothing else.”

Clair stared at him.

“You counted my coffees?”

He frowned.

“I do not count your coffees.”

“You just told me I've had three cups,” she pointed out.

“Because the aroma permeates the entire laboratory each time you prepare one.”

“And you know I only had a piece of muffin because…?”

“You dropped crumbs on the floor.” He made a face. “I ought to make a rule about that.”

“I cleaned them up!” Clair protested indignantly.

His frown deepened.

“You cleaned the crumbs up eventually.”

Clair put her hands on her hips.

“The point is, you're keeping track of what I eat.”

“No, I’m not,” Kaelus said immediately.

“You just gave me a detailed accounting of everything I've put in my mouth since seven this morning,” she pointed out.

He shrugged, his broad shoulders rolling.

“I am observant.”

Clair couldn't help laughing.