Chapter 13
Chapter
Thirteen
Kainda
F rustrated with him and his overly loud thoughts, I took off up the path ahead of him. I couldn’t resist giving him the finger to punctuate my temper. The chilly night air stung my face as I jogged up the slight incline. Why did he insist on coming with me after the demon? I couldn’t wrap my brain around it that he’d willingly put himself at risk again. Sure, he had good reason to want revenge against the bitch, but even he admitted he didn’t have the training to make that a reality. Having him there would only distract me, and I couldn’t afford to not have my head in the game.
By the goddess, he drove me more crazy every second we spent together. Elijah was dangerous, as utterly ridiculous as that sounded. A growl of frustration welled up, but I fought it back. I wasn’t going to give in to these ludicrous thoughts and feelings. Intrusive and insistent, and I wanted no part of it. I could hardly hear it over the pounding beat of my heart, but a little voice deep inside called me a liar.
I beat Elijah inside, grateful he seemed to take a leisurely pace now. The warmth of the cabin washed over me, causing my cheeks to tingle as the feeling came back. With an unintentional slam, the door closed behind, scrubbing my hands over my face. My hands felt like ice cubes as I pushed back the stray strands of hair that escaped my braid. I needed a scalding hot shower and a soft bed to crash face-first into. Then I’d wake up refreshed and hopefully with my head screwed back on straight and my emotions under control again.
Our clothes washed and returned to us waited folded at the end of a pair of bunks. Perfect, I’d have something fresh to pull on after my shower. Yanking my dress over my head as I walked across the room, eager to have real clothes again, and the shower was calling my name. I hadn’t gotten more than a few steps when I felt his presence behind me. Followed a second later by a choked sound of surprise as the door opened. Shit! Oh, goddess no!
I froze in place, the dress still in my hand slipped to the floor. Elijah seeing me naked after the way I reacted to him all evening— let me check her, yeah, nope— not on the agenda. Note to self, bitch, don’t be so hasty to strip next time. Especially when the damn door doesn’t lock! Do NOT turn around, Kainda!
Apparently my inner voice had no sway over my nervous system because I slowly turned to face him. Not the smartest thing I’d ever done. In fact, it probably belonged in the dumbest column. I planned to blame this lapse of sanity on the pull toward him, I’d felt, all evening. Ever since I’d seen that vulnerable look on his face when I’d seen his scars. I’d reacted to his touch and nearness from the time he woke up after the healing rituals. Liar , a little voice whispered to me again. It had started even before the rituals had healed him.
The shocked look on his face slowly melted into arousal. He tried really hard to only look at my face now that I’d turned, but he was failing miserably. Elijah had struck me as a gentleman, but right now he didn’t act like one. Any gentleman worth his salt would’ve left the room or turned his back until the lady had dressed. Although I never claimed to be a lady, and no one had ever accused me of being one either.