She shook her head and walked into the kitchen. “No. I couldn’t sleep. Then I heard you moving around. You can’t sleep either, huh?”
“No. But then again, we did narrowly miss being blown up, so it’s not that surprising that we’re both still a little wound up.”
Her sigh could be heard from across the room. “Yeah, there is that.” She pulled at the edges of her T-shirt, frowning down at it as if suddenly aware that she was talking to him while only half-dressed.
It hit him then, why she was standing there in his kitchen wearing nothing but a T-shirt. She wasn’t trying to drive his libido crazy or mess with his head. Kay wasn’t the type to play those games. She was sweet. She was honest.
She was also probably scared out of her mind.
He dropped the milk carton on the counter with a thump. “Kay, I’m going to figure out who is behind this. I’m going to figure it out, and then I’m going to nail the bastard. He won’t touch you or Hope.”
She nodded, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I know.”
“You’re safe here. You don’t have to be afraid,” Eli continued. It was one thing to know intellectually that you were going to be okay, but knowing it and feeling it wasn’t the same thing. He knew that from experience. Sometimes you just needed to hear someone say it.
Suddenly she sprang forward and curled against his chest. He forgot all his prior warnings and rules and resolutions to stay away from her. In that moment she needed comfort, and he’d give her everything he had if it would make things right.
“I know things are happening really fast. This is scary and everything seems out of control. But I want you to know that I won’t let anybody hurt you.”
She looked up at him, her brown eyes wide. “Can we just sit out here on the couch for a little while?”
He grinned. “Yeah. I’m not tired anyway.”
They sat on the couch and Kay curled against his side and tucked her legs underneath her. He turned on the television and they laughed along with the old I Love Lucy reruns playing on one of the cable channels. She fell asleep against his chest, her hand curled in a fist right over his heart.
When he carried her to the guest room bed, she never woke up.
THE NEXT DAY, to Kay’s surprise, Eli didn’t mention their late-night cuddle fest. She’d emerged from her room in the morning, sure that things would be awkward, but he’d simply said good morning and offered her some toast. It was strange that he was acting like it hadn’t happened, but she couldn’t deny that she was grateful because she still wasn’t sure exactly what had happened. One minute she’d been in her room staring at the ceiling, and then she’d suddenly needed to see him. Needed to know she wasn’t alone.
She certainly hadn’t meant to fall asleep on him.
After breakfast, Eli had shown her where everything was and took her and Hope for a walk around the neighborhood. Kay was surprised that he was allowing them out of the house, but he said it was important for her to know her surroundings. Later, Kay made a quick pot of spaghetti for lunch and then started prepping the ground beef to make meatloaf for dinner.
Eli had disappeared after their walk to make some calls. She’d tried to find some music to put on to give her something to listen to instead of the oppressive quiet of an unfamiliar house but couldn’t find a stereo system. There wasn’t much in the house in the way of personal items at all. No books on the coffee table, magazines in the bathroom, or shoes under the table.
Eventually she’d stopped her shameless snooping and just turned on the television in the family room to give her some background noise. They hadn’t brought a high chair for Hope, so she’d held the squirming baby on her lap and fed her.
A door opened in the hallway and Kay looked up eagerly when Eli appeared at the edge of the kitchen.
“Something smells good.” He sounded so bewildered by the fact that Kay smiled.
“Yeah, it’s meatloaf. It should be ready in a few minutes. Actually, you can take it out of the oven now.”
Eli picked up the oven mitt she’d left on the counter and pulled the pan from the oven. He set it on the stovetop carefully.
“I haven’t had meatloaf since I was a kid.”
Kay settled Hope back in her play area and then walked over to the stove. She stuck a knife in the top, relieved when it slid out easily.
“Your assistant brought several pounds of ground beef, so I figured we’d better use them.”
He helped her set the table and she filled their plates. Sitting across from each other at the table, they ate in silence until Eli finally spoke.
“I didn’t know meatloaf could be this good. Don’t tell my mom I said that though.”
Kay grinned, ridiculously pleased when he stood to get a second helping. “Thanks. It’s one of my favorite things to make when it’s cold outside. It’s filling and hearty. My dad always said you need to eat food that sticks to your ribs in the wintertime. Not that I need anything else on my ribs.”
Eli frowned at her. “Your ribs are perfect.”
Her smile stuttered and melted under the force of his gaze. Good grief, the man had the ability to freeze her in her seat with those eyes.
“I’m going to have to plan some gym time this week. I’ll definitely need it. I didn’t know you were such a good cook.” Eli sat down next to her again and shoveled in another mouthful.
Uncomfortable with the praise, Kay shrugged. “Yeah, I’m good with food.” She looked down at her stomach. “Obviously. I probably need some gym time, too.”