Page 21 of Wilde Flame

I cursed under my breath as I got up, cleaned myself off, and got back into bed. Rolling to my side, I pulled the covers up and prayed sleep would find me soon.

I felt her before I heard her.

Opening my eyes, I saw Lilibeth standing over me, a baseball bat poised over her head.

“What the fuck, Lilibeth!”

She jumped back and dropped the bat. “Caden?”

Throwing off the sheet and blanket, I jumped out of bed, grabbed the bat, and tossed it across the room. “What in the hell were you about to do?”

Her face was drained of all color. “I woke up in a strange house! I had no idea where I was or who was here! I found the bat in the bedroom I was in and then followed the sound of snoring.”

I drew my head back. “Excuse me? I do not snore.”

Her head tilted to the side, and the most adorable smile appeared on her face. “Um, yeah, you do. And you’re loud. That’s probably what woke me up. Thanks for the water and aspirin, though. It was a nice touch.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “You really thought some kidnapper would give you water and aspirin?”

She shrugged. “I woke up confused, and my head is pounding.”

It was then that her eyes slowly moved down my body, and her brows drew up.

I glanced down, remembering I was completely naked.

With what I could imagine was the cockiest smirk I’d ever possessed, I asked, “Like what you see, Flower Child?”

Her eyes jerked back up to meet my gaze. She screwed up her nose. “I’ve seen bigger.”

I wanted to laugh but kept my expression neutral. I couldn’t help but wonder how many dicks she’d actually seen, since I knew she was a virgin, even though she didn’t know that I knew. That really didn’t mean anything, though, did it? She could’ve done plenty with men that didn’t include actual sex.

Turning, she walked out of my bedroom, shutting the door behind her. I glanced down at my dick and let out a low growl.

“For fuck’s sake,” I whispered, as I beelined to the bathroom and straight into a cold shower. Once I was dressed, I headed out to the kitchen, where the smell of coffee and bacon filled the air.

“Why, please, make yourself right at home, Lilibeth.”

She glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “I was starving, and I didn’t think you’d mind as long as I made extra. I also made coffee. I looked for tea but didn’t find any.”

“Tea? Like hot tea?”

With a slight chuckle, she replied, “Yes. I’ve given up coffee.”

I blinked a few times as I shook my head. “Why would anyone give up coffee?”

“The caffeine.”

“You’ve given it up since the last time I saw you at your house, two days ago, when you made a huge mug of it?”

She snarled her lip at me but didn’t say anything.

I stopped pouring my cup of coffee and cocked a brow at her. “Does this mean you won’t be so Tigger-ish anymore?”

“Tigger-ish? What does that mean?”

“All bouncy and happy all the time.”

She glared at me over her shoulder. “What’s your issue with being happy? Just because you hate life, doesn’t mean the rest of us have to.”