“No onion, please. I’d prefer not to have dog breath in the morning.” She giggled.
“Dog breath?”
“Yeah. Henry and Joey have always said that I have breath that could kil a dog in the morning if I eat onions before going to bed.”
“I think Henry and Joey are giving you a hard time.”
She nodded. “I think so too, but since they aren’t here to do so, I’l skip the onions in their honor.”
Kish chuckled, and her tummy clenched. The more she talked to him, every passing minute she spent in his company made her aware of the growing attraction she had for him. She longed to run her fingers over his face, yearned to see the man she was drawn to. Not that his looks mattered al that much to her because she was more interested in what was on the inside than the outside of people. She simply wanted that knowledge, that intimacy with him.
“What brought you and your friends up here, Georgia?”
“Oh. Wel, that’s kind of hard to answer. Frank married Henry’s sister, and since Henry’s sister doesn’t like nature al that much, the cabin hasn’t been used. We have talked in the past about al the things we’d like to do one day, and roughing it out in the woods was one. It was kind of a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous thing actualy. I think we bit off more than we could chew, though.”
“It’s not bad up here most of the time. I have to agree that you probably shouldn’t have come up in the winter, though.”
“Yeah. Can’t argue with you on that one. We checked the forecast, and it was supposed to be nice.”
“Never trust the forecast for northern Wisconsin in the winter. They are rarely accurate, as you can see.”
“Yes, I certainly can. I’m glad you were here to help me, Kish.”
Georgia frowned when he didn’t say anything. He seemed guarded around her, but she wondered if he realized how much info he gave her with his responses. Probably not. Most people wouldn’t have read much into the earlier Karma conversation because they wouldn’t have noticed the tone of Kish’s voice, the tone that indicated people’s uncaring nature was a serious sore spot with him. Nor would they have caught on to the way he seemed confused by her gratitude Even people who weren’t used to receiving much gratitude usualy stumbled around a thank-you or otherwise, but Kish truly seemed perplexed, speechless by it. Had no one in his life thanked him for his kindness?
Ten minutes later, they were eating their meal. The texture of the omelet was perfect and gave way to melted cheese, tomato, and mushroom.
“My goodness. This is the best omelet I’ve ever eaten. You are a wonderful cook.”
Silence met her, and she thought she could hear the faint sound of him shifting in his chair. So he didn’t do good with compliments either. That made her sad.
Kish seemed like a kind, decent man. You just met him, Georgia. You have no idea who he is or what he’s done in his past.
But something deep inside her argued with that statement no matter how logical it may be. She knew in her heart that he was exactly what she thought.
Kind and decent.
Chapter Eight
Kish shifted uneasily in his chair. He’d only known Georgia for a few hours, and she’d already complimented him and thanked him more times than al the women combined in his past. When she did so, it gave him a warm sensation in his chest, but he had no idea how to respond.
How about thank you? You know? Thank you?
Nothing like caling yourself a dumbass. He always was his own worst critic.
He enjoyed watching her eat her meal. She roled each bite around as if savoring it for every moment she could, but when her pink tongue darted out and licked the fork between each bite, he had a much different response. His cock hardened painfuly, and his fingers itched to touch her. He wanted her. He could not deny that, but he didn’t want to be hurt.
Maybe it would be worth it to have her under him, to feel the silky skin of her thighs wrapped around his waist as he slid deep inside her slick pussy.
He closed his eyes and took in a slow breath. Cut it out. This can’t happen. If he made love to Georgia, he would be a lost man. Deep down, he was certain that if he crossed that line with her, he’d never be able to let her go, and he wouldn’t do that to her. But what if she did want him? What if she agreed to be his mate, let him change her, spend her life with him? He could give her her vision if he changed her. Didn’t she deserve that?
He watched her as she polished off her omelet and dug into her salad. He loved the way she didn’t pick at her food as if she were a rabbit. She was absolutely the most beautiful thing he’d ever laid eyes upon. She was generous, feisty, stubborn as hel, and caring. Caring was the thing that intrigued him most.
The way she fussed over Lucy, the way she had been upset over Henry and Joey being worried about her, the way she thanked him for helping her, were al things that showed him her genuineness.
How he longed for someone to be warm, genuine, and caring with him. He hadn’t had a bad life. He’d never whine about it or ask for sympathy. What was, was. But he’d seen some pretty fucked-up things over that last few centuries. And now that the rogues were becoming more and more aggressive, the survival of his species was threatened.
There was a place caled Sanctuary located in Michigan, but he’d never been. He’d only heard of it a few months ago, but it was a relief that the lycans were starting to band together to do something about the rogues. Sanctuary was a place al the rogues could go to learn about the importance of destined mates. At the moment, most rogues felt that any woman with the main scent was theirs for the taking.
They either didn’t understand or care about the fact that those women were essential for the survival of their species.
Rogues that were found were given two choices— reform or die. Kish had just learned that other lycan packs were forming more sanctuaries in other states.
He wanted to be a part of saving his species, planned to be a part of it as soon as he’d gotten Connie out of his system. He grinned. Connie who? He was so over her.
“I’m glad you are enjoying your meal.”
“I’m serious when I say it was the best omelet I’ve eaten.”
Say thank you. Say thank you.
“Um.” He cleared his throat. “Thanks.” He finished his food, then colected the plates.
“At least let me help you clean up.”
“I can handle it. I clean as I cook anyway. I only need to put a few things in the dishwasher and wipe the counter down.”
“Do you come up here often, Kish?”
“You could say that. I live here.”
“I assumed that you vacationed here like most.”
“Nope. I’m a ful-timer.”
“Has the snow stopped yet?”
“Pretty much. I’m hoping to be able to pick your friends up tomorrow afternoon.”
“Actualy, you can take me with you if you’d like, and Henry, Joey, and I can head on home.”
His stomach dropped at the thought of her leaving.
“I’m not sure the road leading out wil be clear enough for you to drive out without four-wheel drive.
Probably take another couple days for them to be cleared.”
“Oh. I hate to be such a bother to you.”
“You aren’t a bother.”
When she stood, she bumped into him. “How do you do that?”
He chuckled. “I told you, I’m talented in sneakiness.”
She frowned, and he ached to run his finger over her lips and coax them into a smile. He loved it when she smiled.
“I’m not sure sneakiness is a talent, but I’l give it to you for now.”
He stared down at her, and time seemed to slow.
She reached for him, and he circled her right, delicate-boned wrist with his fingers. They touched on either side with room to spare. He knew she wanted to touch his face, but he didn’t want her to feel his scars. He didn’t want to disappoint this woman in any way. He wanted to be as perfect to her as she was to him, something that could never be.