I didn’t even change; I fell back on the bed and was out seconds later.
I stood inline at the café; my sunglasses weren’t doing a good enough job at blocking the light. My head felt like a drum ensemble was playing. I hadn’t been sick, but I’d had a close call twice when I woke up. I tried to piece together last night, but much of it was a blur. What was oddly crystal clear were my interactions with Killian. Recalling the gun I shot at him, I moaned and rolled my eyes, which only made them hurt. He’d brought me home. He had my house key. It was why I’d come into town, but I needed more caffeine and silence.
The girl behind the counter rang me up and in a loud, perky voice told me to have a nice day. Not likely. Stepping outside, my hand lifted to block the sun; the pounding in my head increased, but the hot caffeine was nice.
“Morning.”
I knew that voice. Looking up, Killian was so tall he was blocking the sun. “Hey.”
“You look like shit.”
“Kind of you to notice.”
He pushed his hands into his pockets, like he was there for the long a haul. Like I was a zoo animal and he was visiting. “You need something?” I asked.
“No.”
I’d narrow my eyes at him but that would only cause me more pain.
Without a word, he grabbed my hand and started dragging me down the street to the tavern. I didn’t have the energy to ask what he was doing. The door opened, Liam shouted, “Hey, it’s Celine Dion.”
“Why are you shouting?”
“Not shouting, Babe.”
“Sit,” Killian ordered.
I did because I was going to anyway.
He walked behind the bar and started making a drink. “I think I’ve used up my monthly allotment of alcohol.”
“Drink it. It’ll make you feel better.”
Looking at the pee yellow liquid, bile rushed up my throat. “I don’t think so.”
Killian dropped his hands on the bar and leaned into me. “Drink.”
“Bossy,” I said, but lifted the glass, took a whiff and almost lost it.
Hard eyes stared at me. I drank it, forced it down, then almost jumped from the stool when I felt it coming back up, but I got it under control.
“She needs some eggs and bacon,” Killian said softly.
“Already on it,” Liam shouted back.
I winced.
He dropped my key on the bar then walked away. Disappearing into the back. Abrupt, almost rude, but I couldn’t stop the grin because I was growing on him.
Two days afterour debut, Natalie and I were having lunch at one of the outdoor cafes.
“He brought me home. He even tucked me in,” she said, dropping her chin in her hand and sighing.
Killian hadn’t been that gentle, but I kind of liked his style. No nonsense. Thinking about him applying the same style in bed made me chuckle.
Natalie’s eyes turned to me. I didn’t share but asked, “Have you talked to him?”
She looked crestfallen. “No.”