Текст книги "CHAINED"

Автор книги: Jaimie Roberts

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Reluctantly, Kit pulled away. “Let’s get you back to bed. You need to rest.”

I laughed. “I’ve done nothing but rest. In fact, I’m feeling pretty hungry.”

Kit held out his hand to me and I took it. “Well, I’ll make you something to eat. But first, I must make sure you get back to bed. You’re still far from better.”

I squeezed his hand and let him lead the way. “You know, I could get used to this.” I bit my lip, worried I may have come on too strong.

Kit just smiled. “Everyone needs looking after from time to time.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Am I just everyone then?” I was just teasing, but Kit looked serious.

“You’ve never been just everyone.” He pulled me into the bedroom and led me to the bed. Once I sat down, he pushed the covers over a little bit for me and swung my legs onto the bed. When I lay down, he pulled the covers back over me and smiled. “What would you like to eat?”

I was tempted to say you, but he was being so sweet to me, I couldn’t possibly ruin it by being cheeky.

“Umm, I don’t know. Surprise me.” I wasn’t sure how well Kit could cook, so I thought it might be best to leave it up to him.

Kit stared at me a moment. “Okay.” He marched off and I lay there, heaving a big sigh of relief.

Almost an hour went by and I very nearly got out of bed to find out where he was. The smells that came up were so tempting, it was just too hard ignore.

Feeling my mouth water, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and started to get up when I was stopped abruptly by his voice.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I bit my lip, trying to hide my smile, and turned. When he saw my reaction, his lips curved up, as well. It was so hard not to stare, but it was also hard not to notice a tray with two bowls containing what looked like some sort of chicken stew. On the side was a couple of slices of bread and some cutlery.

Then the smell hit me. “That smells so good.”

Kit cocked his eyebrow. “Get back into bed.”

Tightening my thighs together, my insides ached. “Mmmm, can you say that again?”

Kit looked at me sternly. “Olivia…”

I waved my hands and got back into bed. “Okay, okay. I’ll be good. I’m sorry.”

Once he set the steaming bowls down, I looked up at him. “You can cook?”

Kit sat down on the bed and handed me a bowl. “Is that so hard to believe?”

I shook my head. “No. It’s just… I don’t know that much about you.”

Kit looked away for a moment. “And I think it’s best it stays that way.”

“I don’t think I want it to.” He handed me a spoon and our hands touched. For a moment, we were still, and I completely forgot how hungry I was.

Clearing his throat, Kit motioned to my bowl. “Eat.”

I nodded, feeling a little saddened. I wanted and needed him to tell me all about himself. I longed to understand what was beneath this man who had fascinated me for so long. Instead, I remained quiet, put the spoon in my bowl, and was about to take my first mouthful when he spoke again.

“You should be feeling a lot better by tomorrow.”

My heart sank. Did this mean he would be leaving me? “I don’t want you to go.” The words came out before my brain engaged. I never knew how far across the boundaries I could go with this man.

Kit stared at me for a moment, frowning. “I don’t live here.”

I suppose that was the answer that shot down everything. Kit didn’t live here, so this could only ever be a temporary thing. I didn’t like it, though. I wanted him with me more than anything.

Sighing, I knew this couldn’t last. The longer Kit stayed with me, the chances of Uncle finding him here increased. That, in itself, would be a disaster.

Chapter 11

I was in my old house again, wandering the empty halls. I was looking in every corner, seeking out every crevice so I could find my father. I had been worrying about him lately. He had been distant, snappy…more so than usual. My father was never an affectionate man. He was definitely a father, but a daddy? Well, that was a different story. Sure, he’d buy me things, and I never wanted for anything. I didn’t care about that, though. I wanted his love. I craved his arms around me. I was a desperate girl, determined to make her father notice her.

And this was why I was searching for him. I had made some friends, and needed his permission to go out on my birthday. I had finished some important exams at school and had just found out I passed them all with flying colours. I hoped he would look at me and smile, take me in his arms, tell me how proud he was. This was the only thing I ever wanted from him.

So I wandered from room to room, calling for my father, smoothing out my clothes as I went along. I wanted to look my best for him. I wanted him to see the woman I was growing into.

I was just checking the kitchen for the second time when a loud bang was heard from the direction of his office.

Screaming, I ran towards his office door and pushed it open, jumping as it banged against the wall. Lying on the floor by his desk, eyes wide open, was my father. At his right temple was a trickle of blood running down his face.

Throwing my hand over my mouth, I was about to scream when something out of the corner of my eye alerted me to someone in the room. When I turned, Kit was standing there with a gun in his hand, pointing it towards my father. He looked at me, aimed the gun at my head, and placed a finger over his mouth.

“Shh,” he whispered as he smiled and pulled the trigger.

I woke up screaming, covered in sweat, thrashing and sobbing uncontrollably. I was so scared, so frightened, so angry at the injustice and the thought that my father did this to himself. Most of all, I was shocked by the sudden change in the dream and how Kit was now there.

Right on cue, Kit turned up by my bedside and wrapped his arms around me. He slept on the sofa last night, saying it was for the best. I lay there for hours, wondering how I could have come so close, yet so far. Right now, though, the dream weighed heavily on my mind. I was so angry, so pissed off with the world that I lashed out.

“You killed him! You killed him!” I knew it wasn’t true, but I couldn’t help the words that sprang from my mouth and whipped at him so violently.

Wrapping me in a vice-like grip, Kit breathed into my ear, “I got you, Olivia. I got you.”

I immediately went limp and gripped at his arms. I sat there, sobbing. This dream forever haunted me, never letting me forget. For me, the dream was reality. Apart from Kit being there, I did walk in to find my father dead on the floor, a gun in one hand and the phone in the other. Our telephone records were checked, but whoever was on the phone had been careful.

I sighed, frustrated with the knowledge I would probably never know. I was only fourteen at the time. I was growing into a young lady and remembered feeling happy at the thought my father might actually tell me how beautiful I was and how proud he was that I passed my exams. Unfortunately, I never got to find out.

Eventually, I calmed and Kit loosened his hold on me a little. “Olivia, what happened to your father? Who killed him?”

I stiffened in his arms and immediately pulled away. “It doesn’t matter. It was a long time ago.”

Kit sighed. “Not if you’re still having nightmares about it. Who was he?”

I sat further up in my bed, noticing a faint light coming through the window. It was very early morning. I checked the clock and it was just after five.

I sighed. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Kit ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Because I don’t talk to you about me, you’re not talking to me about you. Is that how it is?”

I felt my heart beat faster as the anger set in. “You don’t want to talk to me about your past, fine, but maybe I feel the same way about mine. There are just some things you want to leave behind because every time you go back there, it reminds you of the pain you had to suffer. I’m not sure if yours is the same reason, but there you go.” I sighed my exhaustion again. I wasn’t sure why I was so bloody tired all the time. Whatever this virus was, it had knocked me out.

Kit and I remained silent for a moment, our breathing still harsh, but calming. In this light, I could tell he had no top on. I could even make out the faint lines of his tattoos on his perfect body. I couldn’t fault him by any means. The more I saw of him, the more my obsession grew.

“I’m sorry, Olivia.”

I wasn’t sure if he was apologising for my bad dream, or apologising for the fact he remained so distant and wouldn’t let me in.

I shook my head. “It’s fine. I’m tired anyway. Maybe we should try and get some more rest. I would like to get up at a decent time today.”

Kit hesitated, but when he saw me sink down under my covers, he got up. He didn’t climb in with me and I didn’t expect him to. No matter how much I wanted his comfort, I wouldn’t ask for it. My pride was getting in the way of that now.

*****

When I woke up later, the sun was shining through the windows and my head was pounding. I moaned and turned to look at the time, seeing it was after ten.

“Shit!” I rolled over so fast, I fell out of bed.

I heard loud footsteps coming up the stairs as Kit bellowed my name. When he walked in, he found me on the floor and quickly scooped me up. He penetrated my soul with those grey-blue eyes of his before setting me down in the bed.

“Thanks,” I offered, feeling embarrassed. My head pounded, so I rubbed my temples.

“Did you hurt your head?” Kit placed a hand on my shoulder and I looked up. It was then I noticed he was wearing a pale pink shirt I bought him. I thought he would look good in it and he did. A little too good.

Pulling my eyes away from his chest, I looked up at him. “No, I just have a headache. How long have you been up?”

Kit shrugged. “About three hours now.”

I frowned at him. “Why didn’t you wake me? I wanted to go to the soup kitchen this morning.”

Kit sighed. “Olivia, you’re obviously still not well. You’ve been sleeping virtually non-stop for the past three days. Don’t you think your body’s trying to tell you something?”

Oh, it was telling me something all right. It was telling me how much it would like it if Kit licked me all over like last time. It was telling me to seek out his flesh with my tongue. It was telling me I wanted to be touched, squeezed, taken, caressed by this man standing before me. I suppose it couldn’t have everything it wanted.

Damn hormones.

I grumbled something unintelligible, but got up to make my way downstairs. Kit followed me, like he was afraid I’d break. As I neared the bottom of the stairs, I smelled bacon.

“Smells good. What are you cooking?”

Kit smiled. His smiles were so beautiful. “Bacon omelette.”

My stomach growled. I knew it would be good as his stew last night was the best I had ever tasted. I didn’t know where he got his cooking skills, but I certainly wasn’t complaining.

Just as I was about to say something, my phone rang. “Excuse me.” I nodded to Kit, making my way to the phone.

“Hello?” I waited, feeling a little nervous about who it could be.

“Olivia, it’s Charlie. How are you feeling?”

Breathing a sigh of relief, I smiled. “I’m better, thank you.”

Charlie sighed. “That’s great because, quite frankly, I need you. Sue’s got to take her mother back to the airport tonight and needs someone to cover for her. It should only be about three hours. Are you up for that?”

He sounded desperate and I didn’t want to let him down. “Sure, I can do that. What time do you want me to come in?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Kit glancing up at me with a frown.

“Could you be here at seven? She should be back around ten to finish her shift.”

I smiled. “Sure thing. I’ll see you at seven.”

“Thanks, beautiful. I look forward to it.”

I placed my phone down, a sombre face staring back at me. “What’s that look for?”

Kit sighed. “You can hardly go to work when you’re still not feeling well.”

I walked past him and into the kitchen to make some tea. “Well, I can hardly say no when he desperately needs me. It’s only for three hours. I’m sure I can cope.”

I filled the kettle and put it on, fetching two mugs and two tea bags. As I passed the stove to get the milk out of the fridge, the smell of the bacon omelette hit me. “God, that smells good.”

“So you’re finishing at ten?”

I turned around. “Thereabouts, yes. Whenever Sue gets back from the airport.”

Kit nodded. “Then I’ll pick you up at ten-thirty.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Kit, I don’t need–”

“You stay at the bar and I’ll pick you up at ten-thirty. That way, I can walk you home the quicker way. The other way takes too long.”

I smiled at him bringing up the fact that he’d been stalking me. “You really do care about my safety, don’t you?”

Kit folded his arms across his chest. I noticed how his shirt slightly lifted, revealing to me how well his jeans fit him at the hips. I was starting to think that looking at him was bad for my health.

Kit noticed me staring, turned around, and started fiddling with the omelettes. “I just don’t like knowing you’re walking the streets so late at night on your own.”

I stood there, watching his back as he remained quiet. He scooped up the omelette and turned it over. It sizzled in the pan.

Right then I wanted him more than ever. My legs just seemed to move on their own. Before I knew it, I had my arms wrapped around him from behind. I placed my head on his back and breathed in his sweet, soapy scent. He had obviously showered this morning.

Kit stiffened, immediately relaxing when he felt my arms snake around his waist. He paused a moment, then pulled my arms away so he could turn. He circled his arms around me and we stayed like that for a moment. His hugs were like nothing I had ever felt before.

Eventually, Kit kissed the top of my head and pulled away. “Go sit down. I’ll take care of the rest.”

I smiled, noticing that he was smiling, too. “Are you sure?” He nodded, so I went and did as I was told.

It was the best breakfast I had ever tasted.

*****

It was six o’clock and I started getting ready for work. I had to admit. I wasn’t up to parading around on my feet for the next three hours, but I would never divulge that bit of information to Kit. I highly doubted he would let me out of the house if I did.

I took my time showering and washing my hair, then brushed my teeth, dried my hair, and went hunting for a suitable outfit. I felt I needed a boost today because I had felt so bad for the past few days. It took a while of searching, but I eventually found a beige knee-high pencil skirt and white blouse. Something simple, but elegant. I was just putting on a pair of earrings when I heard a knock at the door. I turned and Kit was standing there, staring at me. I couldn’t stop my smile.

Kit cleared his throat and averted his eyes. “Umm… Are you ready? I thought I would walk there with you.”

I nodded and walked up to him, placing my hand on his chest. Kit inhaled sharply as I raised onto my tiptoes and planted a soft kiss on his lips. His chest rumbled a little, but no matter how much I wanted to jump up and wrap my legs around him, that was all I was going to offer him…for now.

So, against everything in my being, I smiled, thanked him, and walked out the door. It was the hardest thing I had ever had to do, but he had made things so hard for me, I thought there was no harm in offering it in return.

At the bottom of the stairs, I grabbed my coat and bag, placing them around my shoulders. Kit did the same with his coat. I figured last night was his final night here, but I didn’t want to question him on it. I would ask when he walked me home later, but I was determined not to make a big deal out of it.

I smiled. “Let’s go.”

I walked out my door, Kit following. He shut the door and smiled. “Promise me something tonight.”

I looked over at him as we were walking down the street. “What’s that?”

Kit timidly looked towards me. “That you won’t overwork yourself. I don’t want you working too hard and end up ill again.”

I smiled, thinking how protective he was. “Okay. I think I can promise you that.”

I linked my arm in his and we remained that way until we got to the doors of the bar.

“Do you want to come in with me? I can get you a drink.”

Kit frowned at the doors, but shook his head. “No, but thank you. I’ll see you after ten.” He leaned in, kissed me on the cheek, and walked off.

I smiled and watched as he walked away. As I turned, I noticed Charlie staring at me from inside the bar. He had his eyebrow raised, obviously wondering who my mystery man was.

I sighed, walked in, and made my way to the back of the bar. As I was hanging my coat up, I felt a hand caress my neck.

“Hey, beautiful. I see you’re dressed to impress again.” I turned around with a smile. “And who’s the guy who’s put that smile on your face? It couldn’t have been that man I saw kissing your cheek. He must have been your dad or something.”

I slapped his hand. “Stop being rude, Charlie. He’s not old enough to me my dad. He just looks older because of his beard and stuff.”

Charlie laughed. “Beard and stuff, ha? If I knew that was all it took to get to kiss your cheek like that, I would have started growing a beard weeks ago.” He smiled playfully and I couldn’t help but smile back. “Anyway, who is he?”

I shrugged. “He’s just some guy I met a while ago.”

Charlie’s eyes widened. “A while ago? How come I’m only seeing him now?”

“Because we’ve only just started getting to know each other now. He took care of me whilst I was sick.”

Charlie stepped back a bit. “What? He stayed with you? In your house?”

I chuckled. “Yes.”

“So you’ve slept with him?”

I shuffled my feet. “No, it’s not like that. Well, not yet anyway. He’s been sweet, gentle, and kind to me. He’s not trying to get into my pants like some people.” I glared him and he winced, stepping back.

“Ouch. Point taken, Olivia.” He smiled a little and came forward to pick up a lock of my hair. “I can’t help it if you’re so attractive that I want to scoop you in my arms and hold you there forever.”

I stood there, watching his reaction for a moment. I didn’t know whether he was taking the piss or not. Finally, I laughed.

“What?” he asked, frowning.

“Nice try,” I said, pushing him out of my way so I could walk into the bar area. “You almost had me fooled there.”

I turned, placing my hand on the bar. It was busy, but not overly so. It looked as though everyone was catered to…for now.

“What are you talking about?”

I looked up at Charlie’s confused expression. “You, Charlie. You’re always flirting with me and being suggestive. You’ve never once come out with anything as sweet as you did just then.”

Charlie shrugged and walked off. “It’s not my fault the girl of my dreams never notices me.”

I stood there, wondering what on earth he was playing at. When he never turned to wink at me or laugh in my direction, I was shocked even more. A customer came up to him at the bar and ordered a drink. I was so engrossed in watching him, I didn’t even notice that someone was at the bar calling my name until I heard a tap of knuckles.

I turned, saw one of our regulars, Ben, and smiled. “I’m so sorry, Ben. I’m in a world of my own. What can I get you?”

*****

Two hours went by, but it felt like ten. My feet were killing me, and I could almost swear my fever was coming back. I felt totally and utterly exhausted and thanked the heavens above when the bar got a little quieter and I was actually able to rest.

I was leaning over the bar, head in my hands, when I felt a pair of hands rubbing my shoulders. I knew it was Charlie, and I knew he was just trying to help, but it was feeling way too good and just what I felt I needed right now.

“You’re so tense, Olivia. You need to learn to relax a little.”

I moaned a little when he hit a spot that sent tingles down my spine.

“Fucking hell, Olivia. You’re killing me.”

Turning around, I faced him. “Do you ever know when to stop? And here I was, thinking you were just being nice.”

Charlie feigned a hurt look. “I am. You just moaned and it…” He fidgeted a little. “It does things to me.” He looked at my unamused expression and his eyes widened. “What? I’m just a man, Olivia. I can’t help it if I find you the sexiest thing alive.”

I smiled. “Yeah, me and who else?” Suddenly, the room spun a little and I was a little unsteady on my feet.

Charlie immediately caught me. “Whoa. Are you all right?” I nodded, but he didn’t look happy. He looked around the bar. “Ben, will you cover for me for ten minutes?”

I shook my head. “I’m fine. I’m obviously not over this virus just yet.”

Charlie didn’t say anything, and I heard Ben shout out that it was okay. He came around the bar. “Olivia, are you all right? You look pale.”

I nodded with a smile. “I’m fine. I’m just getting over something.”

Charlie motioned out back. “I’m just going to take her to my office and get her a hot drink. I’ll be as quick as I can.”

Ben smiled. “No problem. I’ll take care of out here for as long as you need.”

Charlie patted his back. “Thanks, man. It will mean a drink on me.”

Ben smiled brightly. “Now you’re talking!” He clapped his hands together, looking as eager as ever to get to work. Some people would do just about anything for a drink. I knew that all too well. That was part of the reason I chose to work there. I felt it would be good for me to put temptation in my way and not want it all the time. A strange way of looking at it, but it did help... apart from when people ordered Jack Daniels, of course.

Charlie virtually carried me into his office and set me down on his sofa. “I’ll be back in a minute. Will you be okay?”

I nodded with a smile. “Yeah. And thanks, Charlie.”

Charlie beamed back. “Anything for you, Olivia. You know that.”

He left and I lay on the sofa, wondering what on earth had gotten into him. He had been so suggestive at times, it sometimes bordered on porn coming out of his mouth. What had changed? I lay there, thinking on this for a while. The only thing I could think of was his reaction to Kit tonight. Charlie had never seen me with a man before, so I didn’t know whether his sudden change in temperament was in relation to that or something else. It seemed too much of a coincidence, though.

I was still thinking on this when Charlie came back in with a warm cup of tea. “I could have gotten you something stronger, but I’ve never actually seen you drink.”

I scooted myself up into a sitting position, noting that I was already feeling a lot better. “A cup of tea is fine. Thank you. It’s been a while since I touched the stronger stuff.”

Charlie sat down at the edge of the sofa and handed me the cup. “Is there a reason for that? You always ask me to take over whenever someone orders Jack.”

I stiffened and blew on the hot tea before taking a sip. It was just what I needed. “I guess I never really handled drink very well.”

That was partly true, but another reason was because I lived on the stuff after I found out my mum had cancer. Seeing my father lying dead on the ground was bad enough, but I think I was probably just numb for a while. It was my mum telling me she had cancer that triggered something. It just seemed that, from then on, if there was something I didn’t like, I would turn to the bottle. And I just kept turning to it.

Charlie felt my head. “You feel a little clammy, but your cheeks are flushing a nice shade of red now.”

I took another sip. “I feel much better.” I grabbed his arm and squeezed it. “Thanks for looking after me.”

Charlie smiled and the little dimple I used to get flustered over surfaced. I had always been attracted to Charlie, just not to his parade of women. It soon turned me off.

“You’re welcome.” He sighed and looked away a moment. “I actually feel kind of guilty now.”

I looked up with a frown. “Why?”

“Because I made you come in tonight when you’re obviously still not feeling well.”

I smiled and tightened my hold on his arm. “Don’t be silly. I’m fine. I just think it’s knocked the wind out of me a little. I’m feeling right as rain now that I’ve had a little rest.” He looked as though he was having trouble with something. He was biting his lip and making a fist. “Are you okay?”

Charlie turned to me and nodded with a soothing smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just tomorrow…” He stopped a moment.

“What?”

He sighed. “Tomorrow, I have a hen party booked until twelve. I’m thinking I’m going to be pretty busy until then.”

I immediately knew what was wrong. “You need me to come in.”

Charlie shook his head. “I feel like a total shit because you’re obviously still trying to get over this thing.”

I rubbed his arm. “Charlie, it’s fine. I can do it.”

“Are you sure? I might be able to get Sue–”

“Charlie, it’s okay. Besides, Sue’s only supposed to be part-time, as well. With me being ill these past few days, she’s probably been working non-stop.”

Charlie looked at me for a moment. “Well, only if you’re sure…”

I smiled. “I’m sure.” I made a move to get up and Charlie held his hand out to me. I took it and he lifted me with ease.

“Are you sure you’re okay to go back out?”

I nodded. “I’m sure, as long as I get to keep my cup of tea.” I winked at him and he smiled.

“Shall I add a chocolate biscuit to that?”

I made a face that I can only describe as heavenly. “Oh, Charlie. Now you’re just spoiling me.”

Charlie laughed and we both left, me towards the bar and Charlie toward the kitchen. When I came out, I saw Ben serving someone.

“Thanks, Ben. You’ve been great.”

Ben took the guy’s money and took my elbow. “Are you feeling better?”

I nodded. “Yeah, much better now that I’ve got my cup of tea.”

“And don’t forget the chocolate biscuit.” Charlie’s hand appeared over my shoulder.

I took the biscuit and turned to him. “Thank you.” I smiled.

“You have a keeper there.” Ben winked at me and I almost rolled my eyes. Charlie being sweet was completely new to me.

I turned to Charlie and, sure enough, he was beaming. “What can I get you, Ben?” Charlie winked across at me, making me laugh.

I shook my head and got back to work, feeling much better now that I had a rest and a warm drink. It had actually made time pass a lot quicker than I thought. It was only when Sue walked in that I realised it was well after ten o’clock.

She smiled up at me, her breath coming away in gasps. Poor girl must have practically ran here. “Thanks, Olivia.”

I shook my head with a smile. “Don’t mention it. You’ve been doing a lot for me the last few days.”

I watched her walk through the back and followed her. “How are you feeling now?” she shouted as she took her coat off and placed her bag down.

“I’m fine now, thank you. Still feeling a little out of sorts, but much better than what I was.” It was then I remembered where she’s been. “Did your mother get to the airport okay?”

She nodded and we walked back to the bar. “Yeah. She’ll be headed back to Spain by now. I must go and visit soon. I could do with a week of just relaxing by the pool and reading.”

I sighed, thinking how heavenly that sounded. “Wow, I don’t know why you’re not there already.”

We both giggled and that’s when Charlie appeared. “Everything go all right, Sue? Did your mother get off okay?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Thanks, Charlie. Will you still be needing me tomorrow?”

Charlie looked over at me and I shook my head. He smiled back at her. “No. I think Olivia and I are all set. You get some rest tomorrow.”

She nodded. “Well, I better get started then.” We watched as Sue walked towards a lady at the bar.

Charlie sighed and looked at me. “I suppose that’s your cue to go. Until tomorrow, of course.” We both chuckled. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He reached out his hand and gently pushed a lock of my auburn hair away from my face. He smiled tenderly towards me and I smiled back, but then the sound of the bar door opening and closing had me on high alert.

Both Charlie and I looked over and found Kit standing there with the most heated look I’d ever seen on his face. I mean, I had seen those kinds of looks time and time again on him, but not like this. He was virtually throwing daggers at Charlie. I almost cowered on his behalf.

I bit my lip and turned to Charlie. “Umm… I best get going. Thanks for everything tonight.”

Charlie kept looking at Kit, then turned his head towards me with a smile. “Don’t mention it, sweetheart.” I noticed that Charlie had emphasised the word sweetheart a little too much. It was loud enough for practically the whole bar to hear.

I walked to the back and grabbed my things, Charlie helping me with my coat. Once out in the bar area again, he kissed me on the cheek, probably for Kit’s sake, and smiled sweetly. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Olivia. Thanks for tonight.”

I could have almost rolled my eyes. The pissing contest between Kit’s angered stares and Charlie’s not so subtle remarks would have been laughable if they both weren’t so bloody serious.

As I walked towards Kit, I noticed he never took his eyes off Charlie. It was only when I got nearer to him that he finally settled his eyes on me. “Hi, Kit. Are you okay?” I already knew the answer to that, but I needed him to tell me himself. It would seem the man of very few words was still around.

Kit’s lips thinned into a hard line as he nodded and took my arm to walk outside. I buttoned up my coat and we started walking.

“How have you been tonight, Kit?”

“Who is that man?”

I was almost taken aback by his sudden question. “You mean the guy behind the bar with me?” Kit almost growled, but nodded with the same stern look on his face. “That’s Charlie. He’s my boss.”

Kit suddenly turned to me. “Are you sure that’s all he is?”

I stared at him, my eyes wide. “Yes,” I sighed. “Why are you so mad?”

He grunted a little and looked everywhere but at me. “I don’t know.”

That was the last of our conversation all the way to my door. Once there, I opened the gate, then put my key in the lock, and pushed my door open. I turned around, about to invite Kit inside, but all I saw was an empty footpath and the darkened street beyond it. I suppose that answered one question. He was mad as hell. But why? What had I done to make him so pissed off?

I grumbled to myself, but went inside and shut the door. I was a little hurt by the way he just disregarded me tonight. I also worried about where he was going to stay. Now that he had stayed with me a few nights, I wanted him there. His presence somehow was a comfort. Hearing noises other than my own around the house filled me with such tranquillity, I didn’t want it to end.