“Interest?” I narrowed my eyes.

She laughed gently. “It’s a payment that’s charged on top of the balance that someone borrows. A percentage.”

“What’s the usual percentage?” My brain kicked into gear, switching calendars and veggie planting schedules into mathematical spreadsheets with funds that I’d eventually pay back.

She pulled her hand away, selecting another fry. “Not sure what the current rate is for personal loans, but usually maybe five to ten percent, I think.”

“Ten. I’ll pay you back everything I cost you, plus ten percent.”

Her eyes flashed with denial, but she swallowed and nodded. “Fine.”

“Deal.” I held out my hand for her to shake.

She paused but slowly inserted her hand into mine and sealed the bargain. “But no rush. I’m very, eh, comfortable in my finances, Kas. You aren’t causing me any duress by being in my life or helping me spend my money.”

I let her go and grabbed my burger again.

I took a giant bite, losing myself to the intense flavors.

Once I swallowed, I asked, “How much was this?”

She shook her head with a slight laugh. “Eleven bucks.”

I nodded and added that to my mental list. I’d never been to school. I’d never been taught math or English. But the books in the library had ensured I wasn’t totally stupid. I’d been able to read thanks to a basic education before I’d been snatched. I’d improved upon that by reading everything I could. Therefore, I could ask for help to learn more. I could learn anything I wanted.

“When we get to your place, I want you to give me all the figures you’ve spent on my behalf so far.”

She bit into her burger, mumbling, “You know...you’ve been out of the forest for just a few days, yet you’re more of a gentleman than any of the other men I’ve dated.” She grinned. “If any of them knew who I was or suspected I had money, they’d always find a way to make me pay. Even my friends take advantage sometimes. But you...you threaten to break up with me if I don’t let you pay me back.” She shook her head with another laugh. “A man with no money has more decency than a millionaire.”

“That’s because I’m richer than any asshole with money.” I let my gaze drag down her gorgeous body, lingering on her breasts. “I have you. And that makes me the richest of them all. You’re the only thing I need. The rest...it’s nothing compared to you.”

Gemma gave me the sweetest smile, and we fell into companionable silence, eating our burgers. With each bite, my mind did clunky arithmetic on IOUs, and I thought ahead to a future I hadn’t dared dream of—a future where I was sane enough to have a job, earn my own living, and be free to do whatever the hell I wanted.

I slipped deeper into this new life and further from my old one.

I would get through this.

I’ll evolve.

Because I had the one person who made me want to survive.

Gemma.

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

MY HAND SHOOK AS I lifted the fake rock in my overgrown front garden, searching for the spare key. My usual key was still on my Jeep keychain, which Kas had very kindly thrown off the cliff when I’d run from him.

Luckily, I kept a spare outside. Otherwise, I’d be calling my brother at midnight once again, begging for the copy I’d made him.

Standing upright, I eased out the kinks in my spine from sitting in the car for so long and padded back to where Kas stood on my front doorstep.

Moonlight shone from above. The street was quiet because everyone was in bed. My neighborhood was silent and poised as if sensing a predator was in its midst.

I froze.

Kas.

He was the predator.

And...he’s here.

On my doorstep.

About to go into my house.

I blinked as my brain struggled to compute that the man who I’d stumbled upon in the wild was now here, in my domain, no longer my capturer or enemy but someone I’d chosen to welcome into my home. A home I hadn’t seen in months. A home that I’d left messy as I’d flown out the door to chase Kentucky Khalessi.

God, that felt like an eternity ago.

I didn’t even feel like the same person anymore.

I felt older, wiser, more forgiving, accepting, and calm.

Kas had made me grow, and I preferred this version of myself. I liked having someone to care for and put first. It made me feel like all the wealth I’d gathered from working long hours and daring to take chances was worth it because I finally had someone who I could share it with.

Not that he seemed happy with that in the car.

Kas gave me a look.

It wasn’t sexual or demanding, but it still sent my pulse skipping and core clenching. He was so handsome, so rugged, and untamed. His long hair needed a brush, his beard needed a trim, and his body—even dressed in cheap Walmart clothes—still bristled with power that came from fighting the elements and existing with nothing and no one.

He awed me as well as aroused me.

“You okay?” he asked softly, his voice rich and deep in the night.

I swallowed hard, picturing my bedroom and the super king bed I’d never shared with anyone. I imagined my small but perfectly usable bathroom with Kas in it. His large frame in my shower. His naked body lathered in my elderberry and olive soap, his hands touching me as I grabbed hold of the taps for balance as he—

“Gem?” Kas came forward, his forehead furrowing. “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head, dispelling the fantasy.

It’d only been a few days since I’d slept with this man, but the way my body hummed for him proved it was already too long. I needed him. And soon.

“Nothing.” I beamed a smile and brushed past him. “I’m fine.”

His hand reached out and caressed my arm as I went past, sending shivers down my spine.

Aching for him, I inserted the key. The lock turned easily, and I sucked in a breath as Kas moved closer behind me.

I became hyperaware of him.

Too aware.

The boots I’d bought him from Walmart scuffed on my weed-covered stoop. His intense gaze swept over my jungle of a front garden. His lips twitched as I looked back over my shoulder, his eyes curious and shrewd in the night. “Your brother was right to mock your gardening skills on the video when you squabbled.”

I shrugged, trying to calm my jumpy heart rate. “I’ve never been one for plants.”

“Maybe that’s a way I can pay you back while I have no money.” His savage, scarred face lit up. “I’ll start another veggie patch. Get your garden producing as well as looking pretty.”

He looked positively relieved to have found an area of my life that he could contribute to. And who was I kidding? The thought of Kas shirtless and covered in mud while digging in my garden? Holy hell, the desire in my blood intensified.

He seemed oblivious as he drank in my messy section, and his hands balled as if he was about to start work immediately, even though it was almost one in the morning and we were both bedraggled from driving cross country.

His gaze caught mine again, and the eagerness there, instead of the usual wariness, made my heart thump, sending yet more tingles through my blood.

God, why did I feel so jumpy and high? My system acted as if I was about to scale a boulder that might make me fall and break something.

Well, this is kind of like that...

Having Kas in my space set me on edge and excited me at the same time. I wanted him to be happy here. I wanted him to feel welcome and free to go wherever he wanted. But I was also afraid he wouldn’t like it.

That he’d find my place small after the huge decadence of Fables.