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The first night she’d faked it and given him the cold shoulder because he’d left her hanging with need at her lobby the last time he’d been there.
He soon disarmed her with more low-key TLC.
Once they were alone, he’d reached a hand for her and wrapped his arms around her. She’d found herself leaning into his strength and warmth. He’d trailed soft kisses all over her face except on her lips. He’d then hugged her and made it feel like everything she’d ever hoped for was possible.
Every night since then, he rinsed and repeated his much-welcome routine.
He was healing her, one touch, one soft brush of his lips at a time.
Yet he still walked away every time, disappearing into the recesses of her suite lift before his caresses took them both over the line of no control.
Tonight was no different.
The Proto-XE team filed out of the lab with weary waves, rushing towards the terminal.
Kage lingered back, helping Harlow close her monitor, gather her bags and secure the lab.
He banded an arm around her waist and walked her to the terminal. They stood there, arms around each other, waiting for the shuttle to come back from the surface.
It arrived minutes later, and they boarded, the only passengers on the last ride. For a change, Kage sat next to Harlow, and she couldn’t resist placing her head on his shoulder. It stayed there for the rest of the flight.
With no eyes on them, he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to her temple. She shivered.
The shuttle touched down lightly, and Kage had to prop Harlow against himself to get her out of the craft. ‘This tiredkara?’ he probed.
She nodded wearily.
‘Have you eaten today?’
‘Can’t remember,’ she murmured.
‘Tsk,’ he sucked his teeth with concern. ‘Can’t work like this, love,’ he told her softly, ushering her to the lift.
Once in her apartment, he led her to the couch, which she sank into. Next, he moved to the kitchen, opening cupboards and rummaging in the fridge.
‘What are you doing?’ she fussed.
‘Keeping you alive,’ he called out.
‘You don’t have to take care of me,’ Harlow protested further.
‘Then who will? Someone’s got to take care of my snap-happy, hangry woman.’
She had no witty comeback to hit him with, so she slumped into the couch and watched him take over her kitchen and her heart.
He threw ingredients together in a pan.
She soon smelt the delicious aroma of burnt butter and garlic and rose to her feet, wandering into the kitchen, where Kage presented her with a glass of wine.
She watched, sipping slowly as he assembled an exquisite, fragrant mushroom omelette overflowing with mushrooms, scallions, tarragon, and grated cheese.
He also buttered rolls and placed them in a bread basket on the kitchen bench.
He gestured silently, and she slid into the high kitchen seat. The fluffy, eggy, buttery goodness he’d created looked terrific, and she sighed with happiness as she pushed a fork into her mouth.
He watched her devour the simple meal while he picked at his own plate.
She used a bread roll to wipe her plate clean, and he smiled lazily.
