Page 14 of The Darkest Knight

She pulled a drawer open to find it was stocked with undershirts, briefs, boxers and socks. Would Niall be a briefs man or go commando? Soon she’d find out. She took one of each and a pair of thick socks. Then pulled a long sleeve pullover from another drawer and put all the clothing on the bed. She studied the clothing and wondered what his reaction would be.

The man was hard to figure out.

If he refused to wear the modern clothing, she’d go ahead and start the washer as soon as he finished his shower.

Tammie made two ham and cheese sandwiches along with a quick tossed salad. She heard Niall opening the bathroom door and she held her breath. He didn’t make any noise, and she assumed he was dressing.

Just in case he refused to dress, she started the washer. When she turned, he stood in the kitchen, a towel wrapped around his waist. Words vanished and with her ability to think with them. She opened her mouth and then closed it.

He frowned looking past her to the washer and dryer and cocked his head to the side at the sounds coming from it. “Is my clothing ready?”

The ripples of a washboard stomach kept her gaze captive. Slowly she forced her eyes up to his well-formed pecks. Then slowly, oh so slowly, did she work herself over to the light feathering of hair between them.

Did he say something?

“Tamara Where are my clothes?”

“Oh,” she a hysterical giggle escaped her. “I left clothes on the bed for you.”

“I want the clothes I was wearing,” he told her, lifting his hand to rake his fingers through his hair.

Biceps were not supposed to be so captivating, yet his lulled her back to muteness.

She blinked and pointed to the bedroom. “Your stinky clothes are in the washing machine, and then they will go in the dry….er the drying machine. So you’ll have to stay in the towel.” Thank the lord for this gift. “For at least an hour.”

“I want them now.”

“They are wet. You can’t get them out, the machine locks up until it’s finished.” She glared at him. “Why don’t you put on the clothes that I put out for you.”

He glanced toward the bedroom. “No.”

“What is up with you anyway,” Tammie snapped, losing her temper at his stubbornness. “They are sturdier than the rags you were wearing and probably more comfortable and warmer too.”

“I don’t want anything from this world,” he replied, glaring back. “I will wait.”

“Suit yourself,” Tammie told him and moved closer to him. “You’re an asshole.”

He remained silent, his hand moving to his towel when it slipped just a bit. Tammie bit her lip; even the anger didn’t stop her from a slight pang of disappointment when it didn’t fall.

“You know what your problem is Niall? You are selfish. You are so wrapped up in your bitterness that you don’t care if it affects or hurts other.”

The muscle in his jaw jumped. “You do not know what you speak of.”

“I know that your friends love you and spend endless hours trying to figure out how to help you. They worry about you and Padriag so much that neither Tristan nor Gavin sleep well.”

Tammie wanted to slap the bland expression off his face. But she continued instead. “Tell us what the terms of breaking your enchantment are. Stop being such a jerk.”

“It cannot be broken. I am certain,” he replied turning away from her and looking out the window.

“If you tell me what it is, then we can all brainstorm and perhaps come up with a way around it. At least give us that much.” Tammie hated the pleading sound of her voice and bit back the urge to groan.

“Stop asking me to tell you. I am only here because I gave you my word I would return, nothing more.” He turned to her tucking the end of his town into the top, so it stayed in place.

He actually didn’t care; he wasn’t going to help them. “Augh!” Fury filled her and without thinking she grabbed his arms and tried to shake him.

Niall pulled her hands off his arms and held them. His eyes widened and Tammie realized angry tears streamed down her face. She tried to pull away, but he held fast.

“Do not cry.” The hoarseness in his voice caught her by surprise. His words had the reverse effect, and she began to cry harder.