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“She’s fine. Kai saw her. Said she was...intense, but managing. She’s buying you time and covering your ass.”
I exhale. “She deserves a medal.”
Theo chuckles and nudges me forward again, guiding us down a sweeping staircase and into a kitchen that honestly looks like it belongs in an interior design magazine.
Everything is sleek and sharp and probably voice-activated.
I’m afraid to sneeze near the fridge.
Theo moves like he’s done this a hundred times - opens a cabinet, pulls out eggs and bread.
“Sit,” he says gently. “Let me cook.”
I perch on a stool at the massive kitchen island, watching him work. It’s a little surreal, watching a man who could snap a tree in half with his thighs whisk eggs like he’s auditioning for Great British Alpha-Off.
It’s alsohot. Apparently, even scrambled eggs look like foreplay when Theo’s doing it.
And then the kitchen door swings open.
“Good morning, chaos kittens!”
Kai.
He struts into the kitchen like he owns it, shirtless and smug, sweatpants slung just low enough to show the tight cut of his V and the deep curve of his obliques - and cause a hormone spike. His abs areobnoxious. As in, he should be arrested for walking around like that before noon. There’s a healing split on his lip that somehow makes him even hotter, which frankly feels rude.
He looks like he hasn’t slept - or like he’s been up doing things that would have made me blush five days ago - and for the first time in days, I’m not swimming in heat, not fogged with the overwhelming pull of instinct or bond. I’m just... me.
And he’s just shirtless and beautiful and unfair.
Which means I canreallyappreciate it.
He slides onto the stool beside me like this is a sitcom and he’s the fan-favorite side character who might also be the sex interest. Which, honestly… fair.
“Well, well, well,” he drawls. “Look who’s upright and devastating.”
“I’m wearing your hoodie,” I deadpan.
“Exactly. You’re radiant.” He leans in. “You wanna keep it? I’ll trade it for a kiss.”
“Keep dreaming.”
“Oh, I do,” he says with a grin that’s all wicked. “About that mouth.Constantly.”
I arch a brow. “Try that again and I’ll trade your kiss for a punch.”
Kai grins, completely undeterred. “Worth it.”
“Jesus,” Theo mutters at the stove, flipping eggs like he’s about to throw them at someone.
“What?” Kai says innocently. “I’m just saying hello. With flair.”
“You’re flirting like a man who’s never met consequences.”
“Never have. Heard they’re terrible.”
I snort and take a sip of water, fighting a smile.
For the first time in days, I feel… not like I’m unraveling. Just warm. Safe.
