Page 38 of Keeping Kara

“For a second there, I forgot,” Kara said with a sigh, confirming his thoughts.

“You’re going to get back to where you were,” Chaos told her without hesitation. “Life is full of twists and turns and bumps. It’s how you deal with them that matters the most. And from where I’m standing, and from what little I know about you, Kara Guthrie, you’re going to be just fine. You’ll come out on top, and people like Nolan Colins will get what’s coming to them.”

“You think?”

“Yes. Now…I don’t know about you, but I’m stuffed. My belly hurts from all the pizza I just shoved into it.”

She chuckled. “Yeah, I might’ve overdone it. But everything was just so good!”

“I’m going to go take a quick shower. I can smell myself, and it’s not pretty.”

Kara giggled. “It’s not that bad.”

“You’re being too nice. I’ll be back.”

Chaos took a fast shower and felt much better when he was done. His belly was full and he was clean…and the woman he was beginning to care a hell of a lot about was safe. It was enough for now. He went back into the living area and sat on one end of the couch.

Kara was straightening up his kitchen, which didn’t bother Chaos in the least. He didn’t care if she looked through every cabinet, he had nothing to hide. He hoped she wasn’t feeling obligated to clean though.

“Come sit and relax, Kara,” he said from his seat on the couch.

She walked into the living area, looked at him, then around at the other seating options. He tried not to take it personally that she wasn’t immediately eager to sit next to him. But her next words assuaged some of his hurt.

“I’ve never had a beanbag. Would you mind…” She gestured to the huge gray lump in the corner of the room.

“Of course not. And for the record, that’s not just a beanbag. It’s called a Lovesac. A terrible name, in my opinion, but it’s the most comfortable damn thing I’ve ever sat on. Be warned, once you get in, you won’t want to get out.”

She giggled. And the sound went straight to Chaos’s heart. It was so carefree. As if this woman hadn’t been a kidnap victim just a couple days ago. As if she hadn’t had her entire life upended. As if she hadn’t just been clinging to a freaking tree in the middle of a flash flood after the cabin where she’d been held captive was swept away.

She flopped into the beanbag, and Chaos saw her eyes widen as she got comfortable. “Holy crap. You’re right. This thing is awesome!”

After a bit of wiggling, Kara leaned her head on her arm and sighed. “Arrow?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks. I mean, for everything. I just…I thought I’d be dead by now. I was thrilled when I was able to get out of that cabin, but then with the flood, and the tree…I can’t believe I’m here. Comfortable, clean, warm…safe.”

Her words meant the world to Chaos. But knowing she felt safe…that felt like a gift.

“Have you thought any more about where you’d like to live while you’re getting settled in? You have a lot of options.”

What he really wanted to do was tell her she could stay here. With him. But he thought she’d be more comfortable living with a woman. Especially after everything she’d been through.

Kara nodded. “I can’t believe how nice everyone has been, especially since I’m a stranger. And because if Nolan finds out where I am, being around me could put everyone in danger.”

“That’s kind of how we all roll. The women have been through some extremely tough times, and they know what it’s like to feel unsafe.”

Kara nodded. “If you think it’s okay, I guess staying with Jen and Fred would be best for now. I’d feel like a third wheel with the others, even though their generosity means the world to me. And Jen said the apartment building where she lives has security. I mean, nothing is foolproof, and I’m sure Nolan could find a way around it, but it would make me feel a little better until I can find a job and get my own place. I hate being a mooch though.”

“You aren’t being a mooch,” Chaos said a little too forcefully. He made himself take things down a notch. “She wouldn’t have offered if she didn’t genuinely want you there. I get the impression that Jen is kind of lonely. She’ll probably love having a roommate. One who can actually talk back to her, unlike Fred.”

Kara smiled.

They were silent for a few minutes, and when Chaos looked over at Kara again, he saw her eyes were drooping. She was almost down for the count. He grinned. The beanbag had a way of doing that.

Standing, he walked over to her. “Bedtime,” he said, holding out a hand to help her get out of the beanbag.

She looked up at him a little sheepishly. “Sorry I’m not being a more entertaining guest.”