Page 8 of Finding Shelter
Kash hid a smile. Ledger knew he was being hunted.
With his dignity restored, Ledger crossed the room. He eyed the plate that had been leftfor him. “Thank you.”
Kash tapped the empty plate he held with his fork. “I made this one. Valon made that one. It might still be lukewarm.”
Ledger’s gorgeous gaze moved from the plate to Kash. “Valon made this?”
Kash shrugged. “Maybe it’s an olive branch or whatever.” Kash stood. “Here. Take the chair.” While Ledger sat, Kash rearranged the coffee mugs, so Ledger’s was closer. “There. Breakfast of champions.”
Ledger’s smile made the ridiculous statement worthwhile. “So what do you have planned for the day?”
Kash sat on the bench at the end of the bed. “Like you said, I need to replace my stuff. If you have a shirt or something Ican borrow, I’ll just wear my jeans from yesterday.”
Ledger pointed his fork toward a nearby door. “Check the closet. Take whatever you need.”
Kash needed the distraction. Ledger was too close and wore too little. He headed into the closet. It was huge. There was a lot of stuff inside, especially shoes.
Kash chuckled as he stuck his head out the door. “I never would’ve pegged you as a shoe hoarder.”
A hint of embarrassment crossed Ledger’s face. “Don’t judge me. I have my vices.”
Kash laughed as he dove back in. He grabbed a shoe and checked the size. “Uh oh. We wear the same size shoes.You’re in trouble now. I’m a thief.” Kash was only half joking. He found pants and a shirt in his size. Kash stripped off the pajama pants Ledger had loaned him. He would do a load of laundry later.
Something shifted in the air.
Kash turned.
Ledger stood in the doorway. He didn’t look away. There were no blushes now. “Sorry. You got quiet, so I came to help. I guess you don’t need me after all.”
Kash held Ledger’s stare. He wanted to crack a joke and lighten the mood. That didn’t happen. Kash opened his mouth, and the truth fell out. “I’m pretty sure I’ll always need you.” Kash was a tad mortified. He hadn’t meant to say that. Kash struggled to move on. “Nowthat I know we’re the same size, I can just wear everything you own and wait for my luggage.”
“You’re not doing that.” Ledger sounded calm. In control. “I’m taking you shopping.” He stepped inside the closet, invading Kash’s space as he reached for an outfit behind him. They were so close. Kash was rock hard. The moment Ledger gave him an inch to breathe, Kash pulled on the borrowed pants with lightning quickness before he embarrassed them both. It was painful zipping his erection behind the tight jeans.
Ledger did not make it easier. His robe fell open, and Kash was treated to the full show. Damn.Yum. Unfortunately, Ledger dressed too quickly for Kash to enjoy watching for long.
With an inner sigh, Kash pulled on the t-shirt. The moment his head poked through the hole, their gazes met. What he saw in Ledger’s eyes nearly brought him to his knees. He felt everything Kash did, and Kash wasn’t sure if Ledger would ever admit it. For the millionth time in Kash’s life, he was literally inches from a beautiful dream. As always, there was no chance of it coming true.
Chapter Five
Damn.ThatwasallLedger could think. Just, damn. Kash did all the right things, very obviously working as Ledger’s bodyguard. Yet somehow Ledger also spent the day with his friend. It became immediately apparent Kash could afford anything he wanted. It was a tad unnerving, considering he had no idea what odd jobs Kash did when he wasn’t keeping people safe. Ledger couldn’t think of a tactful way to ask. Kash spent fifteen hundreddollars without blinking, including two new pairs of shoes for Ledger. Ledger had argued vehemently over that one. Kash had simply walked to the counter and paid for them while completely ignoring Ledger. He had used a debit card for every purchase. Ledger finally broke when they sat down inside a restaurant for lunch.
“Okay. You’ve spent a ton of money today and have plans to spend more before the day—”
While still staring at the menu, Kash cut him off. “Don’t ask something you’ll regret.”
For a full minute, Ledger stared at Kash’s profile. For nowhere near the first time, Ledger thought about Kash’s hard body, the scars he had seen when hewalked in on Kash changing, and Kash’s overall demeanor now. He had to know. “Is it drugs?”
A bright smile exploded across Kash’s face. His eyes danced with laughter as they focused on Ledger. He was breathtaking. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not funny, but the way you asked that was hilarious. ‘Is it drugs?’ You sound like one of those dads in commercials.”
The way Kash mimicked him was pretty damn funny. Maybe he needed to lighten up. Truthfully, if he were Kash, he would be offended that anyone’s mind went to drugs first. Just because Kash had a hard life, that didn’t mean he fell into anything shady. “Sorry.”
Kash shook his head, still smiling like an idiot. “Don’t be. It is drugs.” Kashobviously gave no fucks about Ledger’s shock. He just kept talking. “Well, partly. I’ve also been sent to shake down money from people who owe debts and worse. There’s a whole world of underground crime, and I’ve done every job I’ve been hired to do. The last few years have been a ride.”
“Please tell me you’re joking.” Even Ledger heard the way he held very little hope it was a tall tale.
Kash was entirely serious and unashamed. His lack of worry showed in every line of his body. “No. You’d be amazed at what you’ll do when you don’t care about anything, and you have nothing to lose. Most of my life, I haven’t had much of anything tethering me to this world. So…” He shrugged again and went back to reading the menu.
Ledger wasn’t fooled. Kash said one thing, but the way he gripped his hands into fists and the focus he visibly forced on what the restaurant had to offer said a lot. He might not have anything to lose. Kash very well might not give a single damn what happened to him, but he cared what Ledger thought. He had ripped off a Band-Aid and exposed himself, expecting rejection.
