Freed

IV

"And if you don't tell me what happened...."

"You know what happened! You pretended and passed out on me,so I could rescue you"

" I didn't pretend anything!! " she cried indignantly. A hot flush stained her cheeks. " and that's not what am talking about, I mean....." Her voice broke off and she tightened her hold on the robe. She felt her face growing crimson and she couldn't ask again, the question she had boldly asked,it felt so embarrassing. The nerve and impetus that moved her to say it was gone. Dear God!was he tauting her?!

"Could we discuss this over brunch?"

"Yes, except that the clothing I have is this terry robe I have on" Kristina said dryly and immediately regretted because Darryn's eyes roamed up and down her incredulously, mouthing an offhanded "Oh", watching as color grew to her cheeks. Kristina wrapped her arms around herself, bitting her lip and wished she could take back those words, now she felt foolish and exposed.

" let's go back. Kristina, is it?"

"Yes it's Kristina!, except that it should be Miss Will to you" God was he a tease!!

"You ran into my car and almost made me a murderer and then you passed out on me, I was afraid you were in a serious situation of acute cold, I took off your wet things and doused you in hot water"

"You ....what?!!"

"Don't be so indignant"

"Indignant?! I'm irate, you had no right....."

"I was trying to save your life,and you weren't one bit of a help, you're not exactly a welterweight" he added and that seemed to heap insult on top of injury.

"Oh! So I'm not a welterweight, that's all that you have to say after----"

" I didn't mean that offensively, you're near perfectly built " he said nonchalantly sipping slowly,like want he said should make her feel better, but it didn't.

"Oh!" Kristina groaned "you don't seem to grasp the seriousness" he was kidding, meanwhile she was furious, figuratively she was seeing red sparks.

"I grasp it, you don't, you might have died,Miss Will"

She fell silent, she might have died

She shivered then pulled the robe more tightly about her. Was she the only one feeling cold.

"How long did I sleep"

"Several hours, I guess but then you woke and passed out again,when I asked you why you were running. Why?"

She couldn't possibly answer not to him, not to anyonw else .They were all the same,they could abuse her, take advantage of her or even throw her in jail.

"You're pale" Darryn said looking intently at her face.

"I ,I'd rather not answer" she stuttered, although she felt terrible,but she couldn't possibly tell anyone that she was a murderer.

"Okay , so tell me, where do you live? Do you live with your siblings or parents? Do you live alone?"

Instead of a reply she gave him an 'I -don't-wanna-talk' look,he got the message and didn't pester.

"Want something to eat?" He asked suddenly.

"Pardon?"

"I said are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?'

" yes ,please"as she spoke her stomach growled betraying her. What a snitch!

Darryn smiled and walked to the kitchen " follow me"

"Would you mind if I cook breakfast?" I'm a good Cook " she said sweetly as she followed..

"You don't mind cooking for me?"

" you didn't mind saving my life, so I'll just return the favor and you have a beautiful house "

"Thanks" he said almost bluntly.

She followed him through the doorway to the kitchen that would have anybody's dream, from the center island range and grill to the state-of-art conveniences, to the rows of copper cookwares hanging from ceiling hooks.

"This is really nice" she gasped and spurned around with enthusiasm and broke off because he was studying her intently, again.

"And its all just for you?" She told him flatly, he returned her stare without answering. She realized she wasn't going to get any answer and ground hard on her teeth. They stared at each other for a long hard moment. Then he turned away and said "it's all yours"

"What am I cooking?"

He flashed her a quick smile and extended a hand towards the refrigerator "your choice"

She walked past him and opened the refrigerator, it was fairly well supplied, and there was a spice rack on the wall, so she could get creative.

She looked at him and smiled "spiced beef and vegetables". He raised a skeptic brow, she nodded.

" well, if you can really make it as sweet as it sound, saving you might turn out to be extremely worthwhile "he murmured softly.

" it will taste as good as it sound" she said and walked past him to check the cupboard for ingredients. Her hand brushed his and she felt warm. The heat that flashed between them seem to tempt her to come nearer and nearer. He stepped farther from her suddenly as if he had felt the heat that was now racing throughout her.

"I'll leave you to this culinary masterpiece of yours, call me if you need anything,Miss Will. I'll be anxiously awaiting it's completion" he turned and left her then,but the warmth of his nearness dwelt still,it seemed to linger in the air and settle somewhere deep within her.

Who are you?! She wanted to shout after him, but she knew it will her nowhere, might as well get kicked out. She trembled suddenly and wondered if it was because she was dreading the time ahead with him....or was she anxious for it to come. Well, she hoped it was the latter.

* * *

Kristina made her spiced beef in the wok and prepared some fried rice to go with it. They ate their meal in the living room. Kristina sat comfortably cross legged on the floor; Darryn was on the sofa behind her. They ate as they watched a midday show and sipped white wine.

It would be very easy to comfortable and relaxed here, she thought. But she mustn't, she didn't know him,not a thing about him, except for the fact that he was sitter closely behind her and she could feel and smell him.

She felt nervous tremors again,hot and then cold. She looked side way and saw his hand, it was fascinating, handsome,large bronzed hands with short,neatly clipped nails, she wondered how they would feel again her naked breast. She mentally shook her head and tried to give her attention to her food and the show.

She spurn around then picked up her plate and wineglass and headed for the kitchen, her hair flying out in a wild fluff behind her as she did so. She turned the water on and squirted a liberal amount of dish detergent in to the sink.

She was startled to feel him behind her.

"I'll do the dishes"

"I'm fine with it"

"I know, but you did the cooking, I'll clean up"

"Oh but you saved my life,remember?"

"I definitely remember saving your life,I don't think I'll ever forget" he said huskly.

"Let's do together then.?"

She could feel the timbre of his voice, the heat of his body as they stood side by side cleaning.

After washing they settled for a classic movie. Kristina focused on the movie and the man behind her,whose smell assailed her very senses. She didn't even know that everning was come until she looked through the window and saw that it was already dark.

She felt him move and heard the sound of his footsteps walking towards her,she held her breathe. He came to her and turned around by her shoulders. She wanted to retain her anger with him,but it seemed to drain away far too quickly.

"I didn't tell you thank you,did I?" He whispered softly. The whisper of his breath was warn and tantalizing, it caused a stirring within her,more than a stirring. thatsingle whisper made her think of all sort if things she shouldn't be thinking about.

"Dinner was .......delicious" he finally added, he made it sound as if dinner was an entirely sensual affair. She barely mouthed an audible "thank you" as she sensed that he was watching her.

He placed his fingers on hers and wrapped them,it felt warm. His hands moved and cupped her cheeks, caressing, massaging softly. 'He was going to kiss her' was the first thought that came to her mind.

She trembled and felt butterflies in her stomach, her heart was beating fast in nanosecond.she had never felt anything so much like lightning as the tension that snapped and sizzled in the air.

He moved closer still, moving his head to meet hers,his hand moved to her nape and slowly bend her head to his, now their lips were only inches away.