“No, I think there is a lot of truth to plants and natural treatments. Thank you for this,” I say, picking up the tea and tasting it. To my surprise, it tastes mostly of ginger and lemon, quite pleasant. I was worried it was going to taste like whatever that green powder is.
Leaning against the kitchen counter, I watch Izabel start putting away the tea ingredients.
“You really should go back to bed,” she says.
“No, I need to stand up and move around a bit. My blood needs to flow,” I smile.
She suddenly turns to face me with a frown on her beautiful face.
“You know, I might have saved your life, but you saved mine first. So, it…it was just the fair thing to do,” she says curtly. If I'm not mistaken, she’s being defensive about the fact that she saved me. Maybe even a little annoyed about it. I chuckle, musing over this thought.
“So, you only did it because it was the right thing to do?” I ask, an edge of amusement in my voice.
Her frown deepens and she lets out a tiny little puff of air. “Of course,” she stammers. “It’s not like….”
“It’s not like we’re friends?” I interrupt her.
“You kidnapped me,” she murmurs, hardly convincing herself.
After I’ve taken the last sip of tea, I set the mug down on the counter and step towards her. She hesitates, not knowing whether to move away or stay put and stand her ground as I get into her personal space.
My body is pressed against hers, and she reaches back to hold on to the edge of the kitchen counter as though it's a lifeline of sorts.
I lean closer until my face is hovering over hers. Our lips are close. She takes in a soft breath.
I move my face and gently kiss her cheek, letting my lips linger on her skin.
Then I step back.
“Thank you, little pixie. It doesn’t matter why you did it. And you didn’t owe me anything, even if I did get stabbed saving you from that guy. It’s irrelevant. I kidnapped you. I saved you. The two cancel each other out, and then you still saved my life.”
Her cheeks are bright pink, and she’s fidgeting with her hair, but still, the feisty sass is strong as she replies with a scoff, “You really think the two cancel each other out? Like I should now forgive you for kidnapping me?”
“Definitely!” I nod enthusiastically. “You don’t think so?” I ask, flabbergasted.
“Not a chance!” she snaps.
I press my hand over my heart and feign shock and offense.
She giggles.
Such a beautiful sound.
It ripples through me like a warm breeze.
She’s still grinning when she rolls her eyes and asks, “Do you want bacon and eggs?”
“You read my mind!” I blurt out.
I hurry to the fridge to grab the bacon while she’s hauling out the cast-iron pan.
“I’ll do it, you rest.” She slaps my hand away from the kitchen drawer when I try to fetch a knife.
“I’m not incapacitated,” I argue.
“No, but you shouldn’t move around so much. I still need to check the wound this morning and possibly…ugh….” She pulls a face.
I crack up laughing. “Squeamish?” I grin.
